The aroma of fresh oranges and the delicate crunch of poppyseeds fill the kitchen as you prepare to create a delightful treat that is both visually stunning and irresistibly tasty. The Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is not just a dessert; it’s an experience, with a perfect balance of zesty and sweet flavors that dance on your palate. Picture a moist slice, brightened with a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. It’s that nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of sunny afternoons and celebrations, that truly makes this cake a standout at any gathering.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Whether you’re prepping for a brunch, a birthday party, or simply to indulge your sweet tooth, this recipe is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. With the refreshing burst of citrus, it offers a lightness that’s perfect for any occasion, especially during spring and summer. So grab your apron and let’s dive into making this delicious Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting—it will surely bring joy to your table and smiles to your loved ones!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: In just 20 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of baking, you’ll have the perfect cake.
Irresistible Flavor: The zesty orange flavor paired with crunchy poppyseeds is refreshingly delightful.
Eye-Catching Appeal: This cake not only tastes good but is also beautiful, making it a showstopper on any dessert table.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for brunch, dessert, or even a cheeky snack with tea—this cake fits any moment.
Diet-Friendly Options: With easy swaps, this recipe can be made vegan and dairy-free while maintaining its deliciousness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2/3 cup sugar: Sweetens the cake and balances the citrus zest. You can substitute with coconut sugar for a different flavor.
1 tablespoon orange zest: Brings a punch of citrus flavor; use fresh zest from one large orange for the best results.
3/4 cup oat milk: This dairy-free milk keeps the cake moist. Almond or soy milk can be used as alternatives.
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice: Fresh juice adds brightness; bottled juice can work in a pinch, but fresh is always best!
1/4 cup olive oil: Adds moisture and a slight richness to the cake. You may substitute with vegetable oil if preferred.
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste: Provides a sweet aroma and flavor depth; vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your cake; ensure your flour is fresh for the best texture.
2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps achieve a lighter texture; you can use a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version.
2 teaspoons baking powder: Essential for leavening the cake; double-check freshness for effective rising.
1 1/2 teaspoons poppyseeds: For that signature crunch and visual appeal.
1/4 teaspoon baking soda: Balances acidity; ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
6 tablespoons vegan cream cheese: This provides a rich, creamy frosting; feel free to use regular cream cheese if not vegan.
6 tablespoons vegan butter: Ideal for whipping to create fluffy frosting; replace with regular butter if desired.
2 teaspoons cornstarch: Helps stabilize your frosting.
1 1/3 – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting; adjust to your preferred sweetness.
1 teaspoon poppyseeds (optional, as garnish): Adds a lovely touch to the frosting.
Dried orange slices (optional, as garnish): These make for a beautiful decoration and extra citrus zing.

How to Make Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it warms up, line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides. This step ensures your cake releases easily after baking, so you can show off that beautiful presentation without a hitch!

Combine Sugar and Zest: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar—as you do this, the oils in the zest will release, creating a fragrant mixture that enhances the overall flavor of your cake.

Whisk Wet Ingredients: Add the oat milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl. Whisk everything together until you see a smooth, cohesive mixture. The vibrant orange juice combined with the sweet vanilla will make your kitchen smell heavenly!

Mix Dry Ingredients: On top of your wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, poppyseeds, baking soda, and salt. Begin mixing with a whisk until a thick batter forms. It’s best to switch to a spatula here to gently fold everything together—this minimizes over-mixing and keeps your cake tender.

Bake to Perfection: Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Place it in the oven and bake for 30 to 32 minutes. The cake is ready when it’s golden at the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy the heavenly aroma filling your home!

Cool Your Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s essential to let it cool fully before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting!

Whip Up Frosting: When your cake is entirely cool, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, add the vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, and cornstarch. Use an electric mixer to whip until fluffy and well combined—this should take around 2 minutes. Gradually blend in the powdered sugar until smooth, and then whip for another minute just to make it extra light and airy!

Frost and Garnish: Spread the creamy frosting generously over your cooled cake with a cake spatula. For that final touch, sprinkle a few poppyseeds on top and add dried orange slices if you’re feeling extra fancy. Now it’s ready to slice and serve!

Storing & Reheating

To store your Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days if it’s cool enough, or refrigerate it for up to a week in an airtight container. If you want to save it for future enjoyment, you can freeze the cake for up to 3 months—just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and, if desired, warm each slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to refresh that fluffy texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid over-mixing the batter to keep your cake light and fluffy.
Ensure all ingredients, especially the butter and cream cheese, are at room temperature for smooth frosting.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting; this prevents the frosting from melting.
If your frosting is too thick, just add a tiny splash of lemon juice or milk to loosen it up.
Consider making the cake ahead of time—it actually grows more flavorful after a day or two!

Your Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is not just about taste; it’s about creating cherished moments and delightful experiences in the kitchen. The balance of citrus zest and creamy indulgence makes this cake a true winner, whether for a special occasion or just a little weekday treat. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive in! You’re in for a fabulous baking adventure!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free, including the baking powder and cream cheese. Your cake will still be moist and delicious!

How can I make this cake less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly and adjust the frosting to taste. You might consider adding a pinch of salt to the frosting to balance out the sweetness while keeping it creamy and delectable.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

Line the bottom with parchment paper and greasing the sides really helps. You can also ensure that your cake is thoroughly cooled before you attempt to remove it from the pan, as this prevents it from breaking.

What can I use instead of vegan options?

If vegan isn’t a concern, feel free to substitute with regular cream cheese and butter in your frosting and use whole milk instead of oat milk. The taste will still be divine, and you won’t miss the vegan substitutes in flavor!

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Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Author: Danae
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful treat, combining fresh orange zest and poppyseeds for a refreshing flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup oat milk
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons poppyseeds
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegan cream cheese
6 tablespoons vegan butter
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/3 – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon poppyseeds (optional, as garnish)
Dried orange slices (optional, as garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch springform pan.
Combine sugar and orange zest in a bowl, rubbing zest into sugar.
Add oat milk, orange juice, olive oil, and vanilla paste; whisk until smooth.
In another bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, poppyseeds, baking soda, and salt; fold into wet ingredients.
Pour batter into pan and bake for 30-32 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For frosting, whip cream cheese, vegan butter, and cornstarch until fluffy; gradually mix in powdered sugar.
Frost cooled cake and garnish with poppyseeds and dried orange slices.

Notes

Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting.
This cake can be made vegan or dairy-free with simple swaps.