Creamy Orange Dreamsicle Cake Recipe: A Sweet Summer Delight

Dessert dreams come alive with a tantalizing orange dreamsicle cake that captures nostalgic summer memories.

This creamy, dreamy treat blends vibrant orange zest with smooth vanilla undertones.

Bakers adore how the light, airy texture melts on your tongue with each delectable bite.

Layers of soft cake sparkle with citrusy brightness and sweet cream frosting.

The recipe combines classic comfort with elegant dessert craftsmanship.

Rich orange essence weaves through every slice, promising a delightful experience that transports you to childhood joy.

You won’t be able to resist this sunny, irresistible confection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients Behind Orange Dreamsicle Cake Flavor

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cake structure with soft crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and promotes browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creamy texture to cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture and richness.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create soft, moist cake.

• Orange Zest: Delivers bright, intense citrus aroma and flavor.
• Orange Juice: Adds natural sweetness and citrus depth.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile with warm undertones.
• Orange Extract: Intensifies citrusy taste (optional but recommended).

Tools for Making Orange Dreamsicle Cake

• Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs, and mixing batter smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients and mixing cake batter.
• Medium bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 8-inch round cake pans: Needed to bake the cake layers.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Helps prevent cake from sticking to pans.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients evenly.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake layers to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center of cake.
• Zester or grater: Used for creating orange zest.

Bake Orange Dreamsicle Cake with Confidence

• Warm Up Your Oven

Crank the oven to 350F and get your cake pans ready by giving them a light coating of grease or parchment paper.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until perfectly blended.

• Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, blend butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture.

• Bring in the Flavor

Add eggs one by one, then stir in zesty orange zest, fresh orange juice, and a splash of vanilla. These ingredients will make your cake sing with citrusy goodness.

• Combine Everything

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined – don’t overwork the batter!

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and slide into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Relax

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.

Tricks to Perfect Orange Dreamsicle Cake

• Flavor Boost: Add a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur to intensify the citrus notes and create a more sophisticated orange flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers up to two days in advance and store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature to save time on party day.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the cake's tender texture.
• Lighter Version: Replace half the butter with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while keeping the cake moist and creamy. Consider using a sugar substitute for a lower-sugar alternative.
• Decorating Delight: Garnish with candied orange peel, fresh orange segments, or white chocolate shavings to elevate the cake's visual appeal and add extra texture and flavor.

Ways to Serve Orange Dreamsicle Cake

• Citrus Brunch Delight: Serve this cake alongside fresh mimosas and a light fruit salad for a zesty weekend morning treat.
• Dessert Elegance: Plate individual slices with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of orange zest, and a small mint leaf for a sophisticated presentation.
• Frozen Twist: Chill slices in the refrigerator and serve cold for a refreshing summer dessert that captures the creamy, dreamy essence of a classic orange dreamsicle.
• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning dessert board with cake slices, candied orange peels, dark chocolate shavings, and small glasses of orange liqueur for a stunning party spread.

Orange Dreamsicle Cake Storage Tips and Tricks

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic film to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Keep refrigerated up to 3-4 days before frosting or serving.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake layers in double aluminum foil, then place inside freezer-safe containers. Frozen layers stay fresh for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead baking projects.
• Room Temperature Tips: Allow cake to sit at ambient temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and restore soft texture. Avoid direct sunlight or warm kitchen areas.
• Frosting Freshness Hack: Apply orange cream cheese frosting just before serving to prevent potential separation or weeping. Refrigerate decorated cake in sealed container, consuming within 5 days for optimal taste and quality.

Velvety Orange Dreamsicle Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

This classic orange dreamsicle cake blends nostalgic citrus flavors with creamy dessert notes. Cool summer memories emerge through zesty orange glaze and vanilla-infused layers that transport dessert enthusiasts to childhood sweetness.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 12 tbsps fresh orange juice
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• ½ tsp orange extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Orange zest (for garnish)
• Thin orange slices or wedges (for garnish)
• Whipped cream (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and equip cake pans with protective grease or parchment paper lining.
2. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing vessel until perfectly integrated, ensuring no lumps remain.
3. Creaming Process: Vigorously blend butter and sugar in a spacious bowl, transforming the mixture into a light, voluminous consistency with a pale, creamy texture.
4. Wet Ingredients Integration: Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete absorption after each addition. Infuse mixture with orange zest, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, and optional orange extract, mixing until seamlessly combined.
5. Batter Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk in three strategic additions. Mix delicately to maintain batter’s optimal texture, avoiding overmixing that could compromise cake’s lightness.
6. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Position in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick inserted into the center.
7. Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete temperature reduction before further cake preparation or frosting.

Notes

• Zest Precision: Grate orange zest carefully to avoid bitter white pith, ensuring pure citrus flavor without harsh undertones.
• Buttermilk Substitution: No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, letting it sit for 5 minutes to create a perfect tangy alternative.
• Mixing Mastery: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough, dense cake texture; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for tender, light crumb.
• Temperature Control: Let eggs and butter reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake rise, creating a more consistent final texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 427
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 59 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg