Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting
This may not be the most beautiful cake in the world, but your dad or father’s day person in your life will totally love it. It’s actually the ugly duckling of cakes and I’m ok with that. I was an ugly duckling for a long time (maybe I still am?) with awkward skinny long legs and shyness that would beat the band. I never fit in anywhere and probably still don’t. But you know what? It doesn’t matter when you have fantastic father figures in your life. We’ll talk about high school heart breaks some other time. I’ll bring the wine.
So, we can make fancy pants cakes like this if it blows your dress up and if your dad loves pastels, but does your dad really want that? I say, let’s go rustic. And usually when I’m talking rustic I’m talking messy, sloppy, or down right ugly. I’m pretty sure all those descriptions apply here.
Way to sell it, Rach!
The point is – and yes, eventually I usually have one – it’s Father’s Day this weekend. Your dad or other significant dad/grandpa/uncle/step/or other dad figure in your life loves you. He/She loves all your broken bones, skinned knees, lopsided smiles, and rustic, janky cakes with cracks and frosting squishing out the sides. And that’s what love is.
Happy Father’s Day!
Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup butter room temperature, plus more to prepare the pans (1 - 2 tablespoons)
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 cara cara orange juice and zest
For the Frosting
- 16 ounces 2 8 ounce blocks cream cheese
- 2 sticks butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2 cara cara oranges juice and zest
For the Garnish
- 1 - 2 cara cara oranges thinly sliced
- Mint leaves
Instructions
For the Cake
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Preheat oven to 350
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Measure and cut 2 pieces of parchment paper to fit 2 (9) inch cake pans
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Butter cake pans, fit parchment circles into bottom of pans, and butter the parchment paper
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Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes
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Add eggs, one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder
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Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with milk - start and end with flour, beat just until combined
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Stir in vanilla bean paste, zest, and juice
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Divide evenly between the two prepared cake pans
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Bake 28 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center clean
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Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, turn out onto wire racks to cool completely
For the Frosting
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Add cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium until combined
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Slowly add powdered sugar and beat until smooth and combined
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Add vanilla bean paste, zest, and juice and beat until combined
For the Assembly
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Using a serrated knife, slice each cake in half horizontally through the middle making 4 cakes approximately the same thickness
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Arrange the first layer on a cake stand or plate and spread 1/4 of the frosting on top
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Add the second layer and spread 1/4 frosting on top
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Repeat with the last two layers
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Garnish with orange slices and mint
Adapted from Bake from Scratch Cake Special Issue June 2016, page 26 and 27
Note: If you wrap the cakes tightly in plastic then aluminum foil while it’s still warm and freeze them it will seal in some of the moisture and make them easier to cut and frost while thawing.
I don’t think this is an ugly cake at all. You should see some of the cakes I make, they look like a right mess.
As long as it tastes good, which I am sure this does, that’s all that matters.
You know what, Rachelle? I LOVE rustic stuff 😉 I say that all the time. Rustic is the best! But I definitely don’t think that this cake is ugly…far from it! Cara cara is my favourite orange, actually. They’re so sweet. I get them whenever I can, usually a big bag at Costco. And that citrus cream cheese frosting?! Yum! P.S. If you are not satisfied with this cake, I’ll gladly take it off your hands 😉 Pinning!
You crack me up! So, firstly – when I saw this cake I immediately thought to myself – ‘Wow! Love the rustic charm Rachelle has going on here!’ I mean – you nailed it, sister! And secondly – I am all about the flavors in this cake and I know all the dads in my life will love it, too!!!! Thank you!
This cake looks SO good – definitely not ugly! I’ve been super obsessed with orange-flavored desserts lately, so this is right up my alley! And cream cheese frosting? YES!
This cake looks so delicious and not ugly at all. I love citrus enhanced desserts–I find them so much more refreshing. And they are totally perfect this time of year! Thank you for sharing!
This cake is beautiful – I love the gorgeous layers. Orange cakes are my favourite and the tangy cream cheese frosting sounds delicious. 🙂
I think dads everywhere would love this cake….and moms and kids too!
This cake is totally beautiful and not ugly at all! I love the orange – so fresh and perfect for Father’s Day!
I don’t think it’s ugly at all Rachelle! It looks so delicious and I totally love the flavor! Cara Cara oranges are a favorite!
What a pretty cake, Rachelle! I love the citrus cream cheese. Sounds so refreshing for the summer. Definitely a fun dessert!
Yes! This post made me laugh and smile the whole way through. And you know what? I’d gladly take a rustic, janky cake when it’s made with love. Heck, this cake looks pretty awesome to me…save me a slice? 🙂
I think it’s pretty! And definitely the best way to celebrate Dad. Love is the best ingredient when it comes to cakes!
This cake is gorgeous! I love it! Will definitely try it soon!
This cake looks delicious and the citrus from the oranges is perfect for the summer!!
This orange cake sounds perfect for summer! I am totally a fan of not frosting cakes completely. There is a certain beauty to them and they are much easier to decorate!
I’ll tell you what love is…love is this cake being stuffed in my mouth! What are you doing girl?? Don’t you know I’m still trying to clean eat and that doesn’t include eating a cake. I would eat this cake though, the whole dang thing, all by myself. That frosting looks divinely yummy too. Also, I don’t think it’s ugly at all. Four tiered cakes are not easy to do and you did it very well, my friend. Plus, I bet it tastes kick-ass!!
This cake looks absolutely beautiful and delicious to me, Rachelle. I was sold at the name when I first read orange cake. Orange anything makes me feel so refreshing, and I know I am gonna love this cake for sure! Thank you for this lovely share!
Rustic cakes like this are wonderful. I love this look. It’s so homey and fun. I’m loving all the orange in here!