Orange Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

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, and moist, and you can’t miss the orange flavor.

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this recipe

Every time I make this recipe, 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.

Why you’ll love this recipe

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.

How to make Orange Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting: step by step

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 a few slices of fresh orange, you don’t have to, but it makes it more festive and interesting.

You can serve it right away or let it sit for a 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.

Recipe tips

• As you will see in the recipe, I added a 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 1/2 inches (19cm), and 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 flavor to the final frosting. But if you don’t have cream cheese, you can double the amount of mascarpone.

More recipes to try

If you like citrus desserts I also recommend you try my Hibiscus Panna Cotta recipe, it is light, citrusy, delicious goodness.

EASY AND MOIST LEMON BUNDT CAKE – This incredible Lemon bundt cake is absolutely delicious! Super tender, moist for days, and with the right amount of lemon flavor.

MINI CHOCOLATE CAKES – Rich, spongy chocolate layers with silky cream cheese frosting and more chocolate ganache on top.

CARROT CAKE – This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s easy to make and has the perfect flavor and balance of carrots, spices, and frosting. It’s light, moist, and the cream cheese and mascarpone add a touch of a citrus note that balances with the rest of the ingredients.

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Have a happy baking!

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Orang Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Milena M

Scrumptiose, light, creamy, and the perfect dessert for those who love citrus.

5

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine International

Servings 6 people

Equipment

• Springform
• Stand Mixer
• Pastry Brush
• Flour Sifter

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Cake Batter

• 90 g Butter melted
• 180 g AP Flour
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 t Baking Soda
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 120 g Sugar
• 200 g Ricotta cheese
• 2 t Vanilla extract or 1/2 t Vanilla Sugar
• 1 Orange zest and juice

Optional

• 3 drops Sweet Orange Ecential Oil

Orange Syrup

• 1 Large Orange-juice (zest is optional)
• 1/3 c Sugar

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

Instructions

 

Cake Batter:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180C (350F)
• Melt the butter. Set a side.
• Line 7½-8 inch (19-20cm) springform with parchment paper and grease the sides with oil or butter. Set aside.
• In a bowl combine sifted flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
• 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.
• To the wet ingredients add the flour mixture, a little at a time. Mix till just incorporated, but don't over mix!
• Transfer to the springform and bake for about 50 min.(depending on your oven), or till a toothpick comes out clean.
• 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. You can also leave it overnight in a sealed container and add the frosting the next day.

Orange Syrup

• 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:

• 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:

• 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.
• 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. Enjoy!

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. Wrapped well in plastic wrap, transfer to 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 in the fridge.

Keyword cream cheese, layer cake, mascarpone, orange cake, orange layer cake

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