Easy Orange Sheet Cake
Everyone needs an easy go-to sheet cake recipe in their recipe box, and this Orange Sheet Cake is that recipe! A simple orange butter cream frosting adds to the fresh citrus flavour.
While I love a layer cake, like this strawberry vanilla layer cake, I also love the simplicity of a simple sheet cake. This fuss free orange frosted cake takes no time at all to get into the oven, and bakes in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with fresh orange flavour.
- Light and fluffy texture.
- Frosted with an orange buttercream frosting for extra zing.
- Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a simple weeknight treat.
What You Will Need
Kitchen Tools
- electric mixer or hand mixer/bowl
- mixing bowl
- 9 by 13 inch sheet cake pan
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- all purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking powder and baking soda
- salt
- milk
- butter
- 1 to 2 oranges
- 2 eggs (not pictured)
Handy tip: Prepare Ahead!
Bring all ingredients to room temperature before beginning. Room temperature butter will whip up more easily. It is important to use room temperature eggs as the whip up better and faster, creating a better rise and fluffy texture for your cake.
How to Make an Orange Cake
Be sure to check out the full printable recipe and instructions below!
Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, milk, orange juice and orange peel. Beat until combined.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into the wet ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Transfer batter to a 9×13 inch cake pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack to cool completely. Frost with orange buttercream frosting.
How to Make Orange Buttercream Frosting
Measure butter, orange juice, orange rind and confectioners sugar, combine in bowl of electric mixer and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until thick and fluffy. Add a bit more orange juice if required to get a smooth spreadable consistency.
Add a little decoration, such as orange slices cut into triangles. I just a arranged a few in opposite corners for a little.
Make it an orange birthday cake by adding a sprinkle of toasted coconut, chocolate chips or piping whipped cream around the edges.
However you decided to decorate it, this easy and delicious orange frosted cake will be your go-to dessert this season!
Let me know in the comments if you try this cake, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for delicious recipes in your mail box each Sunday!
Easy Frosted Orange Cake Recipe
Equipment
- electric mixer
- mixing bowl or fine mesh sieve for sifting
- measuring cups and spoons
- 9 by 13 inch cake pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (approx 1 large orange)
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 1/3 cup soft butter
- 2 to 2½ cups confectioners sugar
- 3 to 5 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1½ teaspoons fresh grated orange rind
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and line 9 by 13 inch cake pan with parchment or grease and flour pan, set aside.
- In bowl of electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, orange peel, orange juice and eggs and beat until well blended.
- Sift in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt (or whisk together in a separate mixing bowl and add to wet ingredients all at once). Beat on low for 30 seconds and then increase speed to medium and continue to beat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Transfer batter to prepared cake pan and bake at 350℉ for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for about 10 minutes, before turning out onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- Combine butter, 2 cups confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons of orange juice and orange rind in bowl of electric mixer. Beat on low for 30 seconds, then increase speed to medium high and beat for 2 minutes. Check for spreadable consistency and add additional ½ cup confectioners sugar or 1 to 2 tablespoons of orange juice if necessary.
- Once cake is completely cool, spread frosting on top of the cake, just to the edges, in a swirly pattern. Garnish with fresh oranges, coconut or chocolate chips.
Notes
