Citrus Ambrosia Cake
Brighten your dessert table with the irresistible Citrus Ambrosia Cake, a tropical-inspired delight that combines zesty citrus flavors with a creamy, fruit-filled frosting. This moist and tender cake features fresh orange and lemon juice, aromatic zest, and a hint of buttermilk for a tangy, luscious crumb. Layered with a luxurious cream cheese frosting and topped with juicy mandarin orange slices, pineapple chunks, shredded coconut, and optional maraschino cherries, this dessert is a colorful showstopper. Perfect for special occasions or any time you crave a taste of sunshine, this crowd-pleasing cake is a vibrant celebration of citrus and tropical flavors. Refrigerate before serving for a refreshing finish that will transport you straight to paradise!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.75 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mandarin orange slices (canned, drained, or fresh)
- 0.5 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 0.5 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 0.25 cup maraschino cherries (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Add the softened butter, eggs, orange juice, lemon juice, zests, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until just combined, then increase the speed to medium and mix for another 2 minutes until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous portion of frosting on top.
Top with a layer of mandarin orange slices, pineapple chunks, and shredded coconut.
Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Decorate the top of the cake with additional mandarin orange slices, pineapple, shredded coconut, and optional maraschino cherries for a tropical finish.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set.
Slice and enjoy your Citrus Ambrosia Cake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
635 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.6 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.6 g | 83% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 132 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 337 mg | 15% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 89.9 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 67.8 g | ||
| Protein | 7.2 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 70 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 177 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
