Orange Blossom Wedding Cake: An Elegant Citrus-Floral Celebration Dessert
Orange Blossom Wedding Cake: An Elegant Citrus-Floral Celebration Dessert
Contents
Key Information:
Prep time: 2.5 hours
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 3-4 hours
Servings: 12-18
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Dietary: Vegetarian, Optional Gluten-Free
Essential Equipment:
- Stand mixer
- 3 round cake pans
- Offset spatula
- Cooling racks
- Cake turntable
Ingredients:
Cake Batter:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup almond meal
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup orange blossom water
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Buttercream:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh orange slices
- Edible flowers
- Chopped pistachios
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing on low speed.
- Fold in orange blossom water, zest, and almond meal.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes. Test with toothpick – should come out with minimal crumbs.
- Cool cakes completely on wire racks.
- Prepare buttercream by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, orange blossom water, and vanilla.
- Level cake layers if needed.
- Apply thin layer of buttercream between each cake layer.
- Crumb coat entire cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Apply final buttercream layer and decorate as desired.
Crucial Tips:
- Use high-quality orange blossom water
- Don’t overmix batter
- Ensure ingredients are room temperature
- Chill cake between frosting layers
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Bring to room temperature before serving
- Best consumed within 2-3 days of preparation
Variations:
- Gluten-free: Replace flour with almond or rice flour
- Add cardamom for Middle Eastern twist
- Use pistachio buttercream instead of cream cheese
Wedding Day Pro Tips:
- Make cake day before wedding
- Transport in refrigerated container
- Allow 1 hour for final decoration on-site
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overbaking
- Too much orange blossom water
- Uneven cake layers
- Melted buttercream
Nutritional Warning: High in sugar and fat. Delicious but consume in moderation!
Perfect for spring and summer weddings, this Orange Blossom Wedding Cake brings sophistication and subtle Mediterranean flair to your celebration.