🔪 Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper. Zest and juice your oranges and set everything out so you’re ready to go.

🧁 Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

🥣 Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step incorporates air and is essential for the cake’s light texture.

🍊 Step 4: Add Eggs, Zest, and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract until evenly combined.

🥛 Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the orange juice and buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—avoid overmixing.

🍰 Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.