Frosted Orange Birthday Cake
With soft, fluffy orange layers and a delicate orange Swiss meringue buttercream, this orange birthday cake is both elegant and crowd-pleasing. Bonus? It’s not too sweet and not too heavy — just the perfect balance of citrus brightness and silky smooth frosting.
When I ran my cake business, I had plenty of popular flavors, but my Orange Cake had a special place on the menu. It was bright, citrusy, incredibly moist, and flavorful, thanks to the perfect combination of fresh orange juice and zest. But the funny thing? This cake wasn’t just popular—it became a tradition for a certain group of friends.
It all started with an order for a 30th birthday. The group of ladies celebrating absolutely loved the cake, and when the next 30th birthday rolled around, they ordered the exact same one. And then, for the next one? Again, the same orange cake! They even started calling it their “Orange Birthday Cake”, and from that moment on, that name just stuck.
Why you’ll love this orange birthday cake?
- Fresh Citrus Flavor – Made with real orange juice and zest in both the cake and the buttercream.
- Not Too Sweet – The Swiss meringue buttercream is lighter and silkier than traditional American-style frosting.
- Versatile – Bake it as a layer cake, sheet cake, or even cupcakes. The batter is super adaptable.
Ingredients and substitutes
- For the Orange Cake
- Cake flour – Gives a light, tender crumb. You can use all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons replaced by cornstarch, but cake flour is best for soft layers.
- Unsalted butter – The only fat in this cake. Use softened butter for proper creaming. Do not substitute with oil — this cake relies on butter for structure and flavor.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar helps aerate the butter during creaming. Do not reduce too much, or the texture may suffer.
- Eggs – Use large eggs at room temperature. They help emulsify and give structure.
- Orange juice – Freshly squeezed is best. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but may taste flatter.
- Orange zest – Zest adds bold, aromatic citrus flavor. Always zest before juicing.
- Milk – Whole milk adds moisture and richness. You can use 2%, but don’t use non-dairy milk unless you’ve tested it.
- Orange extract – Optional, but boosts orange flavor beautifully. Use a good-quality natural extract if possible.
- Vanilla extract – Optional but adds warmth that complements citrus.
- Baking powder + baking soda – The combo helps achieve lift and a light texture. Don’t skip either.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Orange gel food color – Optional, but gives the cake a beautiful warm hue. Just a small amount is enough.
- For the Orange Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Egg whites – Make sure there’s no yolk at all. Use carton whites if preferred.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar; don’t sub with brown or coconut sugar.
- Unsalted butter – Room temperature butter makes it silky smooth.
- Orange zest + extract – Zest for freshness, extract for concentrated flavor.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance it all out.
Step-by-step: Easy orange birthday cake recipe
Pan size: Two 8-inch round cake pans
Step 1: Prepare the Orange Cake
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Add the orange gel food color along with the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined — do not overmix.
- Divide batter evenly between the pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Orange Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Combine egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl (or stand mixer bowl) set over a pot of simmering water.
- Whisk constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved (rub between fingers to check).
- Transfer to a stand mixer and whip until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bowl is cool to the touch.
- Start adding butter, one cube at a time, beating until smooth.
- Add orange zest, extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Assemble and Frost
- Trim the tops of the cakes if domed.
- Place one cake layer on a stand or board. Add a layer of buttercream and spread evenly.
- Top with the second cake and apply a thin crumb coat all around. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Frost with the remaining buttercream and decorate as desired — pipe rosettes, smooth sides, or top with candied orange slices.
Tips for Success
- Zest first, juice second — always.
- Don’t let any yolk get into the egg whites, or the meringue won’t whip properly.
- If your buttercream curdles while mixing — keep going! It will come together once the butter emulsifies.
- Chill the layers before stacking if your kitchen is warm or your frosting is soft.
Serving & Storage
- Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze cake layers (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
How long will this orange cake keep?
The unfrosted cake layers will stay fresh for up to four days at cool room temperature, but they will stay longer if kept in the fridge.
The cake layer without frosting can be frozen for up to a month or more. Once frosted, the cake is best kept in the fridge because the Swiss meringue buttercream (SMBC) has egg whites, which are considered perishable.
In good weather, a cake frosted with SMBC can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Can I use store-bought orange juice?
Fresh juice is best — but you can use no-pulp orange juice in a pinch. Add a bit of zest to boost flavor.
Can I make this cake in one pan?
You can bake it in a single tall 8-inch or 9-inch pan and slice it in half, but you’ll need to adjust the bake time.
Is Swiss meringue buttercream safe to eat?
Yes! The egg whites are cooked to 160°F (71°C) during the double boiler step, making them food-safe.
Can I color the buttercream?
Absolutely! A few drops of orange or peach gel color will intensify the look without affecting the flavor.
Orange Birthday Cake
This elegant orange birthday cake features citrus sponge layers and a smooth orange Swiss meringue buttercream. A light, fresh cake perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 250 g (2 cups) Cake flour
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 170 g (¾ cups) Butter unsalted, room temperature
- 200 g (1 cups) White Sugar
- 3 large Eggs
- 120 ml (½ cup) Orange juice Use reduced orange juice for a stronger flavor.
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Zest of one Orange
- ½ tsp Orange Gel Food Color (optional)
Swiss meringue buttercream
- 4 large Egg whites
- 200 g (1 cups) Sugar
- ½ tsp Salt
- 340 g (1.5 cups) Unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Orange extract
- Orange zest optional
Method
Cake batter
- Oven & Pans: Preheat the oven to 325°F / 165°C / Gas Mark 3. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.250 g Cake flour , ½ tsp Baking Soda, ½ tsp Salt, 1 tsp Baking Powder
- Wet ingredients – In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.170 g Butter, 200 g White Sugar, 3 large Eggs, Zest of one Orange, 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Dry to wet – Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Add the orange gel food color along with the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined — do not overmix.120 ml Orange juice, ½ tsp Orange Gel Food Color
- Bake – Divide batter evenly between the pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Swiss meringue buttercream
- In a heatproof bowl, (or a stand mixer bowl) whisk together egg whites and sugar. Place over simmering water (double boiler).Whisk constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture reaches 160°F (71°C).Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until stiff peaks form and the bowl feels cool.Switch to the paddle attachment. Add butter a few cubes at a time, mixing well between additions.Once the buttercream is smooth and silky, mix in orange zest, orange extract, and salt. Beat for 1–2 minutes.4 large Egg whites, 200 g Sugar, ½ tsp Salt, 340 g Unsalted butter, 1 tsp Vanilla extract, ½ tsp Orange extract, Orange zest
Assemble
- Level the tops of both cake layers if needed.Place one layer on your cake stand or serving board.Spread a generous layer of orange Swiss meringue buttercream.Add the second cake layer and apply a thin crumb coat all around. Chill for 15 minutes.Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream. Decorate with piped swirls, candied orange, or zest.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Zest first, juice second — always.
- Don’t let any yolk get into the egg whites, or the meringue won’t whip properly.
- If your buttercream curdles while mixing — keep going! It will come together once the butter emulsifies.
- Chill the layers before stacking if your kitchen is warm or your frosting is soft.
Serving & Storage
- Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze cake layers (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost fresh.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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I just made the cakes. They smell great and we’re well risen. However, they are greasy to the touch. Can you think why?
Patricia. This is a very simple and straightforward recipe with the classic method so it should not be greasy. Was the oven too low? Usually, if the cake starts cooking in a cooler oven the fat meats. After that it does not incorporate into the batter but fries the cake from the outside making it greasy. Hope this helps.
Hi Veena, I am just about to bake this cake, but I wondered if you knew that although you very kindly give the gram amount. However, when printed it does not show it.
Oh really! I did not know that. I will talk to my tech guys to see how I can solve this. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Great, thank you.
Hey Amanda. I just fixed the printing issue – now it should print both the measurements. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Thanks
Can these be made into cupcakes? Would like to try Thanks
Yes, Anita. Reduce the cooking time to 18 to 22 minutes
Hi Veena, I am very delighted for your shared recipe. I’m hoping to make this for Chinese New Year celebration next weekend. I tried making the cake today but it didn’t come out as tall as your cake in the picture although the smell, divine!
I have some questions…
1. Do I separate the whites and yolk first and whip just the whites?
2. Does this recipe call for any use of the yolks?
3. Do I need to speed up whipping the egg whites after starting on medium-slow? At which point do I start to speed up and I’m confused over the term ‘ribbon like’. Would you care to share what you mean by this?
I hope to hear you thoughts on this and the cake will turn out better for next week ?
Hey Liza.
As the recipe states –
1- Whip whole eggs – start on low – then increase speed and add sugar – beat until thick and foamy. I have included a picture just so you can see the whipped eggs.
2 & 3 – Yes, the batter uses whole eggs – you must whip the yolks and whites together
I hope this helps.
HI Veena,
I have home made passion fruit concentrate, can i replace the orange juice in the batter with this concentrate? Also, in the SMBC can i add this concentrate?
Thanks
Hey Laura. Yes, you can use concentrate but I presume it will be sweetened. If so reduce the sugar in the recipe accordingly. Thanks
Love the flavor combination of orange and buttercream! Such a pretty cake!
Thank you, Annissa.
Wow, what a gorgeous cake! My orange-loving family is sure to love this recipe!
Thank you, Tayler. I think they will enjoy this if they love orange.
Wow, what a beautiful and colourful looking cake! I’d love a slice of this, the flavours sound incredible.
Thank you, Bintu. Its really so easy to make.
I love the fresh taste of orange and this is a delicious combination of flavors with buttercream! Thanks for the tips in the recipe card too I love its stay fresh for 4 days too!
Thank you, Claudia. Glad you find the tips useful
What a beautiful looking cake. I’ve never made an orange cake but would love to give it a go. The idea of adding orange ganache to it sounds scrumptious!
Thanks, Jacqueline. I hope you try this.