Fluffy Orange Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe: Sweet Citrus Bliss

Sweet orange vanilla bean cake crafts ordinary dessert moments into extraordinary culinary celebrations.

Bursting with bright citrus notes and delicate floral undertones, this cake promises a sensory adventure for passionate bakers.

Creamy vanilla beans intertwine perfectly with zesty orange essences, creating a harmonious flavor profile that dances across your palate.

Soft, tender crumb and vibrant aromatics make this recipe a standout among traditional dessert offerings.

Each slice reveals layers of complex yet balanced tastes that surprise and delight discerning palates.

Rich, moist textures complement the delicate infusion of natural ingredients, ensuring a memorable eating experience.

Baking enthusiasts will adore this sophisticated yet approachable dessert that elevates home cooking to gourmet levels.

Orange Vanilla Bean Cake That Brightens Any Day

• Burst with Citrusy Elegance: This orange vanilla bean cake delivers a bright, sophisticated flavor profile that dances between sweet orange zest and rich vanilla bean, creating a harmonious taste experience that feels both refreshing and indulgent.
• Masterful Texture Adventure: The recipe combines soft, tender cake layers with creamy, smooth frosting, offering a delightful contrast between the delicate crumb and luxurious cream cheese frosting that melts perfectly in your mouth.
• Showcase Stunning Versatility: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, or weekend gatherings, this cake impresses with its gourmet appearance and bakery-quality presentation that looks professionally crafted yet achievable for home bakers.
• Craft with Ease: Despite its elegant result, the recipe remains beginner-friendly with clear step-by-step instructions, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels who want to create a show-stopping dessert without overwhelming complexity.

What You Need for Orange Vanilla Bean Cake

• Cake Flour: Fine, soft flour for a tender and delicate cake texture with light crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents to help cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and rich tangy flavor to the cake.
• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Provides bright, fresh citrus flavor and natural sweetness.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Delivers intense, authentic vanilla flavor with visible vanilla specks.
• Orange Extract: Boosts orange flavor intensity.
• Orange Coloring (Optional): Creates vibrant orange hue for visual appeal.

• Butter: Softened, unsalted for smooth mixing and rich flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create tender cake structure.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the cake.

• Butter: Softened for smooth, creamy frosting base.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and smooth texture.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Provides deep vanilla flavor.
• Orange Extract: Complements cake's citrus notes.
• Salt: Balances sweetness.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting consistency.
• Orange Coloring Gel (Optional): Enhances visual presentation.

Step-by-Step Orange Vanilla Cake Directions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab three cake pans and lovingly coat them with butter and flour. Line your baking battlefield with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these together in a bowl until perfectly blended. Set aside for the magic to come.

Step 3: Create Flavor Fusion

• Sour cream
• Fresh orange juice
• Orange zest
• Vanilla bean paste
• Orange extract

Stir gently with a fork, creating a symphony of citrusy goodness.

Step 4: Cream Butter Mixture

Grab your mixer and beat softened butter until silky smooth. Slowly add sugar, whipping for 3-5 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Want a pop of color? Add orange food coloring now.

Step 5: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Watch your batter transform into a creamy dream.

Step 6: Blend Batters

Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream mixture to the butter mixture. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently – we’re making a cake, not working out!

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Smooth tops with a spatula. Slide into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Test with a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Relax

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 9: Create Dreamy Frosting

• Softened butter
• Cream cheese
• Vanilla bean paste
• Orange extract
• Salt

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and creamy. Add orange food coloring if desired.

Step 10: Assemble Cake Masterpiece

Layer cakes with frosting between each level. Apply a thin crumb coat and chill for 15 minutes. Add final frosting layer with artistic flair.

Step 11: Store and Serve

Keep cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours to reach peak deliciousness.

Helpful Tips for Moist and Fragrant Cake

• Zest with Precision: Carefully grate orange zest using a microplane to avoid bitter white pith and capture maximum citrusy flavor.
• Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and more consistent cake texture.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry and wet ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake.
• Vanilla Bean Boost: Use fresh vanilla bean paste for an intense, authentic vanilla flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter briefly before mixing to achieve a perfectly smooth, lump-free frosting consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Orange Vanilla Cake

• Refrigerate: Wrap cake slices individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Protect cake layers or whole cake by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Serve: Remove cake from refrigerator 2-3 hours before serving to reach room temperature. Bring back original softness and allow frosting to become creamy and smooth.

Foods and Drinks That Pair Nicely

• Pair with Citrusy Cocktails: Mix an orange-infused vodka martini or a bright, zesty limoncello spritzer to complement the cake's vibrant orange flavors and enhance the dessert's refreshing citrus notes.
• Serve with Creamy Accompaniments: Offer a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to balance the cake's tangy orange undertones and provide a cool, smooth contrast to the rich frosting.
• Match with Light Dessert Wines: Select a chilled Moscato d'Asti or a sweet Riesling to echo the cake's sweet and citrusy profile, creating a harmonious dessert experience that highlights the orange and vanilla essence.
• Complement with Herbal Tea: Brew a delicate chamomile or lavender tea to soften the cake's richness and add a subtle floral undertone that gracefully interacts with the orange and vanilla flavors.

Fun Flavor Variations of This Citrus Cake

• Citrus Zinger: Transform the cake by adding lemon and lime zest alongside orange zest, creating a vibrant triple-citrus flavor profile that brightens the entire dessert.
• Tropical Paradise: Incorporate crushed pineapple into the batter and replace some sour cream with coconut cream, then top the frosting with toasted coconut flakes for a Hawaiian-inspired variation.
• Spiced Warmth: Mix ground cardamom and ginger into the dry ingredients, then drizzle a warm honey glaze over the finished cake to introduce a subtle, aromatic complexity that complements the orange notes.
• Nutty Crunch: Fold chopped toasted almonds into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts between cake layers, creating textural contrast and enhancing the cake's rich, sophisticated flavor profile.

Orange Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Silky orange vanilla bean cake brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dessert table. Delicate crumb and fragrant citrus notes create a luxurious experience you’ll savor with each elegant slice.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 cups (342g) cake flour
• 2 cups (400g) sugar
• 2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 16 ounces (453g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (242g) sour cream

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons orange zest (from 2–3 oranges)
• 1 tablespoon orange extract (10g)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (8g)
• ⅓ cup fresh orange juice (from approx. one medium orange)

Dry and Supplementary Ingredients:

• 7 cups (805g) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 sticks (339g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder (7g)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda (3g)
• 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
• Orange coloring gel (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and preparing three 8×2 inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
2. Combine dry ingredients including cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform powder mixture.
3. Create a liquid mixture by whisking sour cream, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla bean paste, and orange extract until thoroughly integrated.
4. Cream softened butter in a mixer until smooth, then gradually incorporate sugar while mixing for 3-5 minutes until the texture becomes light and airy. Introduce orange coloring if desired.
5. Carefully add eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
6. Gradually fold flour and liquid mixtures into the butter base, alternating between dry and wet ingredients, starting and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix minimally to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
7. Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spoon for uniform layers.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center and checking for clean removal.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
10. Prepare frosting by beating butter until smooth, then incorporating cream cheese until well blended.
11. Integrate vanilla bean paste, orange extract, and salt into the butter mixture.
12. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar, mixing on low speed until achieving a creamy, homogeneous consistency. Optional orange coloring can be added at this stage.
13. If frosting appears too soft, briefly refrigerate to achieve ideal spreading consistency.
14. Assemble cake by layering frosting between each cake tier, creating a stable multi-layered structure.
15. Apply a thin crumb coat across the entire cake surface, then chill for 15 minutes to set the initial frosting layer.
16. Complete the cake decoration by adding a final, smooth frosting layer, optionally creating textural elements with an offset spatula.
17. Preserve cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator, allowing 2-3 hours of room temperature resting before serving to restore optimal texture.

Notes

• Select room temperature ingredients for the best cake texture and even mixing.
• Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour to achieve a lighter, more delicate crumb.
• Zest oranges carefully to capture the most fragrant outer layer without including bitter white pith.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can lead to dry results.
• Rest cake layers completely before frosting to ensure stable and clean cake assembly.
• Allow chilled cake to warm up before serving to enhance flavor and frosting spreadability.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 685
• Sugar: 68 g
• Sodium: 267 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 93 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg