Orange Vanilla Cake (Printable Version)

Turn a childhood favorite popsicle into a creamy, citrus-filled cake! Layers of orange and vanilla topped with silky white chocolate.

# Ingredients:

→ Crust Base

01 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - ¼ cup white sugar
03 - 2 cups finely crushed graham crackers

→ Cheesecake Layers

04 - ¾ cup sugar
05 - 16 oz softened cream cheese
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
08 - ½ cup sour cream
09 - ½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
11 - ½ tsp orange flavoring
12 - ½ tsp vanilla flavoring
13 - Melted white chocolate chips, ½ cup
14 - Orange food color gel (optional)

→ White Chocolate Topping

15 - ¼ cup heavy cream
16 - ½ cup white chocolate chips

→ Optional Decorations

17 - Sliced oranges
18 - Whipped topping
19 - Drizzled white chocolate

# Steps:

01 - Turn your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a mixing bowl, blend in the sugar, melted butter, and cracker crumbs until everything looks moist. Push this mixture firmly into a 9-inch springform pan base. Pop it in the oven for 8 minutes and, once baked, let it cool down.
02 - Using a big bowl, beat together sugar and cream cheese until creamy. Add your eggs one by one, mixing in between each addition. Stir in sour cream, heavy cream, freshly grated zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Lastly, fold in melted white chocolate chips. Split the mix into two bowls: one stays white, and the other gets a splash of orange coloring.
03 - Pour half of the plain cheesecake filling over the cooled crust. Gently add the orange-tinted layer on top. Marble them slightly for a swirled design or keep them stacked. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 50-55 minutes, just until the center is set. With the oven turned off, crack the door open and let it cool inside. Transfer the cheesecake to chill in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight.
04 - In a small pot, warm the heavy cream on low; don’t let it boil. Pour this over the white chocolate chips in a separate bowl. Stir until smooth and let it cool a little before spreading over the cheesecake.
05 - Decorate with whipped cream on top, fresh orange slices, and a drizzle of white chocolate for extra flair. Slice it up and enjoy every bite!

# Notes:

01 - Keep it chilled for the creamiest texture.
02 - It stays fresh in the fridge for 4 days if sealed.
03 - Pair it with a glass of orange juice for a citrusy vibe.