Orange Vanilla Cake
For a zesty Orange Vanilla Cake, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt, then blend with orange juice and zest. Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before serving.
Equipment
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest from about 1 large orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
- ● Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- ● In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- ● Set this aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- ● In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- ● You can use an electric mixer for the best results, but a whisk will work too if you don’t mind a bit of extra elbow grease.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
- ● Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- ● Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
Incorporate Orange Juice and Zest
- ● Add the orange juice and zest to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
- ● The zest will add a burst of fresh orange flavor.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
- ● Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk.
- ● Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix.
Bake
- ● Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- ● Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes,or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Glaze
- ● Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes,then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- ● Once cooled, mix the powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cake before serving.
Notes
1. For the most vibrant flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice and freshly grated orange zest.
2. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense, heavy cake.
3. Make sure the cake is completely cooled before applying the orange glaze. If the cake is still warm, the glaze may melt and run off, resulting in an uneven coating.