Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup whole milk
– 3 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
– Zest of one orange
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– ½ cup salted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Zest of one orange
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Rubber spatula
– 9-inch round cake pans
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
To kick things off, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and make sure to grease your cake pans with a bit of butter or non-stick spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it helps to incorporate air into your batter, giving your cake that lovely moist texture. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. This batter is where the magic begins! It smells heavenly when mixed together. (See the next page below to continue steps…)