We all know how important vitamin C is, right? Well, I make sure I take it in any form possible, and this is one of them😉. If you like citrus, this Orange Layer Cake is for you! Layered with the creamiest Mascarpone and cream cheese frosting! It’s light, perfectly sweet, creamy, moist, and you can’t miss the orange flavor.
Every time I make it, it tastes better and better. Kids love it! Adults want it, and it’s such a pretty cake. It’s not complicated to make, very easy actually. Ingredients are simple, all you need is a little bit of time and you’ll have a cake everyone will love.
What to expect from this Orange layer cake with mascarpone and cream cheese frosting:
Texture – crumbly but moist texture, creamy filling, light.
Taste notes – orange, fresh, not overly sweet.
The good thing about this Orange layer cake is you can also make it the day/night before, keep it in an airtight container and finish it with the frosting the next day. I also like to soak the layers with orange syrup before adding the frosting. It keeps the layers moist longer and adds extra orange flavor. Plus it’s so easy to make and any extra leftovers are great drizzled on pancakes.
Orange layer cake with mascarpone and cream cheese frosting notes:
- As you will see in the recipe I added few drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil, but if you don’t have it that’s totally ok. It just adds extra orange flavor, but even without it, you won’t miss it.
- The size of the cake is 7 1/2inches (19cm), it bakes up to 1 1/2 tall (4cm), which makes it perfect for two layers. I don’t like layers that are too thick. I prefer the ratio between layers and frosting to be almost the same. If you want to make a taller cake just double the recipe.
- I like the combination of mascarpone and cream cheese, each one adds a little bit different taste and flavor to the final frosting. But if you don’t have cream cheese, you can just double the amount of mascarpone.
Assembling
The layering is pretty simple. Make sure the cake is completely cooled. First cut off the top of the cake so it has a flat surface. Then cut the cake in half. I use a large bread(serrated) knife, but you can also use a cake cutting tool if you have one.
Then using a pastry brush spread the orange syrup all over the bottom layer. Then add a layer of frosting. Lay the other layer on top and do the same thing.
I decorate it with few slices of fresh orange, you don’t have to, but it makes it more festive and interesting.
You can serve it right the way or let it sit for few hours covered in the fridge. Just let it come to room temp before serving. You can store it covered in the fridge for up to a week if it lasts that long.
If you like citrus deserts I also recommend you try my Hibiscus Panna Cotta recipe, it is light, citrusy, delicious goodness.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me here by leaving a comment below, which can help other readers as well. You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook.
Have a happy baking!
Orang Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Scrumptiose, light, creamy, and the perfect dessert for those who love citrus.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 180 g AP Flour
- 1/4 t salt
- 1 t B. Soda
- 2 eggs room temp.
- 120 g Sugar
- 200 g Ricotta cheese
- 90 g Butter Melted
- 2 t Vanilla extract or 1/2 t Vanilla Sugar
- 1 Orange zest and juice
Optional
- 3 drops Sweet Orange Ecential Oil
Cream
- 200 g Mascarpone cheese
- 200 g Cream Cheese
- 2 tbsp Heavy Cream
- 4 tbsp Powder sugar
- ½ Orange – juice (zest is optional)
- 1 t Vanilla extract or ½ t Vanilla Sugar
Orange Syrup
- 1 Large Orange-juice (zest is optional) or 1½ small orange
- 1/3 c Sugar
Instructions
Cake Batter:
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Pre-heat the oven to 180C (350F)
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Line an 7½ inch (19cm) springform with parchment paper and grease the sides with oil or butter. Set aside.
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Melt the butter. Set a side.
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In a bowl combine flour, salt, b.soda. Set aside.
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Using a mixer with the whisk attachment, combine eggs and sugar and mix till foamy. Add ricotta cheese, melted butter, vanilla, and the juice & zest of one orange, (and orange oil if using). Mix again till incorporated.
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To the wet ingredients add the flour mixture, a little at a time. Mix till just incorporated, but don't over mix!
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Transfer to the springform and bake for about 50 min.(depending on your oven), or till a toothpick comes out clean.
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Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before removing the springform. After the springform is removed, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, before adding the frosting. You can also leave it overnight in a sealed container and add the frosting the next day.
Orange Syrup
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While the cake is baking make the syrup. In a saucepan add the sugar and the juice of the orange(zest is optional), cook on low for about 15min. stirring frequently so it doesn't stick to the bottom. Let it cool while making the frosting.
Cream:
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In a mixer with the whisk attachment mix the mascarpone and cream cheese for few seconds, add the heavy cream, powder sugar, plus the juice from half orange (zest is optional).
Assembling:
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Using a bread knife or a cake cutter, cut the top rise of the cake so you have a flat layer. Then cut the cake in half to create two layers.
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Using a pastry brush spread the orange syrup on top of the bottom layer so it's nicely soaked, add half of the frosting, and cover with the top part. Again add the orange syrup onto the top layer, and spread the rest of the frosting to the top of the cake. Decorate with orange slices if desired.
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Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- You can store the cake covered in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before serving.
- You can make the cake the night before, let it cool. Transfer in a sealed container, so it doesn’t dry out and leave at room temperature. Make the frosting the next day and finish the cake.
- The orange syrup can also be made a day or two in advance, just let it cool completely before storing it in a sealed container. Keep it at room temperature or the fridge.
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