easy orange layer cake (gluten free)

How To Make easy orange layer cake (gluten free)

• 1

  For the frosting: Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium size mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and add 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar and the orange zest and orange juice a bit at a time, beating with the mixer on low speed until the powdered sugar is well incorporated, 30 seconds.
• 2

  Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the frosting until fluffy, 1-1 1/2 minutes longer, adding up to 1/4 cup more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin or 1 teaspoon more orange juice if the frosting is too stiff. The frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Let the frosting return to room temperature before using.
• 3

  For the cake: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350. Lightly mist two 9 inch round cake pans with vegetable oil spray, then dust them with the rice flour. Shake out the excess rice flour and set the pans aside.
• 4

  Place the cake mix, sugar, orange juice, butter, eggs, vanilla, and orange zest, if using, in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• 5

  Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the batter until smooth, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again, if needed. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with the rubber spatula. Place the pans in the oven side by side.
• 6

  Bake the cake layers until they are golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly pressed with a finger, 19-24 minutes. Transfer the cake pans to wire racks and let the cake layers cool for 5 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of each cake layer and give the pans a good shake to loosen the cakes. Invert each layer onto a wire rack, then invert it again onto another rack so that the layers are right side up. Let the layers cool completely about 20 minutes longer.
• 7

  To assemble the cake, transfer one layer, right side up, to a serving plate. Spread the top with about 1 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer, right side up, on top of the first layer and frost the top and side of the cake, working with smooth, clean strokes. To make slicing easier, place the uncovered cake in the refrigerator until the frosting sets, 10-15 minutes.
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