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Tender, citrusy cake topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting is a simple, decadent pleasure. This soft, tender-crumbed Keto Orange Creamsicle Cake will take you back with the nostalgic flavors of orange and vanilla. Made with just coconut flour (no almond flour), this easy to assemble cake is perfect for everyday or casual celebrations. You can also make a large cake or layer cake by doubling the recipe. Low Carb, Paleo, Gluten-free and GAPS, as well as Keto.
Orange Creamsicle
The Orange Creamsicle flavor goes back to 1905 when an 11-year-old boy tried to dip vanilla ice cream into fruit juice, and it worked! He named his success an “Epsicle” because his name was Frank Epperson. “Epsicle” later became “popsicle” and eventually “creamsicle”!
The Orange Creamsicle flavor was introduced to crowds 18 years later when Frank, as an entrepreneur, started selling creamsicles at a California amusement park.
Today, this flavor brings back the good feelings of olden days. Orange Creamsicle stirs up feelings of sweet, happy, old-fashioned comfort food that’s still just as relevant to modern taste buds.
The Orange Creamsicle flavor uses two key ingredients: vanilla and orange. The tender cake setting and cream cheese frosting in this Orange Creamsicle Cake are perfectly suited to such well-loved and familiar flavors.
You’ll love the golden vanilla smell when it comes out of your oven.
Coconut Flour
Lots of Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, Gluten-free and GAPS recipes use almond flour. Almond flour is high in omega-6s, super high in glyphosate residue (because very few consumers buy organic almond flour), and it’s a crop that drains California’s desert of water. ๐
Coconut flour has no drawbacks. This keto and low carb flour is healthy, fiber-rich and nut-free (low allergy). When used well in recipes, it adds a nice crumb without the carbs. Coconut flour is a grain-free ingredient well-suited to most wellness diets.
Keto & Low Carb or Paleo & GAPS Sweeteners + GF
If you’re Keto or Low Carb, I designate Monk Fruit Sweetener to be used in this recipe.
I am on to a new brand called Besti that’s small and family-owned. If you know Maya of Wholesome Yum, this is her new product! I love supporting a non-GMO, U.S.-based company that cares about low carb quality foods. If you try Besti, be sure to use my discount code: BEAUTIFUL10, to get 10% off your order! (Shop all Besti Keto and Low Carb sweeteners HERE.)
Monk Fruit Sweetener is a blend of two ingredients (the very sweet and concentrated monk fruit and a less-sweet low carb sweetener of choice that takes up more bulk, like erythritol or allulose), which creates a Keto granulated or powdered sweetener to replace sugar, honey or maple syrup 1-to-1 in recipes.
For the Paleo and GAPS version of this recipe, use honey, as designated below in the recipe. Both sweetener options are gluten-free.
And both sweeteners help to create the tender, moist crumb we all love and look for in good cake.
Frosting and Dairy-free Options
This cake has a lovely classic Orange Creamsicle Cream Cheese Frosting.
If you’re dairy-free, you can make the cake with coconut oil instead of butter, so the cake itself is dairy-free. Then leave off the frosting: Instead just dust the cake with Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener, or use this Dairy-free Keto Icing, adding a tiny bit of orange zest or orange oil.
For Paleo and GAPS, use this AIP “Buttercream” Frosting. Omit the cinnamon, and sub in a tiny bit of orange zest or orange oil.
For gluten-free and dairy-free needs, Simple Mills also has a dairy-free frosting that’s good, if you’re in a pinch and can tolerate a bit of organic sugar. (Find it here.)
Orange
The orange flavor in this recipe comes from freshly squeezed orange juice and your choice of either orange oil (find it here) or orange essential oil (find it here).
If you choose to use orange oil, we use about 1/8 of a teaspoon for the cake. This is a great pantry staple that can also be used in homemade ice cream, chocolate sauce, mochas or even in salad dressings.
If you keep organic orange essential oil on hand, you’ll only need 2 drops of it for the cake and 1 drop of it for the frosting.
For Keto and Low Carb: Regarding the orange juice in this recipe, only 2 tablespoons of juice are used, alongside 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. To make this cake extra-low carb (currently 7 grams net carbs per serving), you can sub the orange juice and use all lemon juice, which brings the carb count of the cake + frosting down to 6 grams net carbs per serving. The orange oil will still infuse the orange flavor throughout the cake.
How to store leftovers
If you plan to eat leftovers within 1 to 2 days, you can cover the cake and leave it out on the counter.
Otherwise, simply refrigerate for up to 5 days.
How big is the cake?
The cake is relatively small. It serves 6 people or makes 4 extra large pieces. I personally like how fast and easy it is to make a little cake for an impromptu treat or small occasion.
But when it comes to cake, everyone loves leftovers, so … be sure to double the recipe if you want a big cake.
Orange Creamsicle Cake (Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, GF, GAPS)
Equipment
- 8" cake pan (round or square)
- hand held mixer
- mixing bowls
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup coconut flour
- 4 eggs
- โ cup Besti Monk Fruit Sweetener (granulated) or honey for GAPS and Paleo (If you order Besti, be sure to use my discount code: BEAUTIFUL10, to get 10% off your order.)
- โ cup butter or coconut oil: melt over low heat, then measure
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice fresh, squeezed from 1 orange
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice fresh, squeezed from 1 lemon
- 1-ยฝ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda sifted
- ยฝ teaspoon sea salt
- โ teaspoon orange oil or 2 drops orange essential oil
Orange Creamsicle Frosting
- ยฝ cup butter room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Besti Monk Fruit Sweetener (powdered) OR honey for GAPS and Paleo (If you order Besti, be sure to use my discount code: BEAUTIFUL10, to get 10% off your order.)
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/16 teaspoon orange oil OR 1 drop orange essential oil
- pure monk fruit extract or stevia, to taste (optional: add a bit if you like your frosting sweeter)
Instructions
- Grease one 8" baking pan (round or square). (Line the pan with parchment paper if you want to remove it before frosting. If doubling the recipe, use two pans or one larger pan.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stir together dry ingredients in large mixing bowl: coconut flour, sweetener (if using Keto/Low Carb granulated option), baking soda and sea salt.
- In separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: eggs, honey (if making GAPS or Paleo version), fat of choice, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla and orange oil.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir together until fully combined, without over-mixing. (The baking soda and citrus juice will react and create large air pockets and the batter will subtly volumize.)
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
Orange Creamsicle Frosting
- In a medium bowl, use a mixer to cream the butter and cream cheese together until fully combined.
- Add the sweetener, vanilla extract and orange oil. Beat slowly until the sweetener is fully incorporated. (Taste for sweetness. If you like your frosting sweeter, add the optional stevia or pure monk fruit, to taste.)
- Beat on high for about 2 minutes, until frosting is fluffy. When the cake is fully cooled, frost. (This is enough frosting for you to double the cake recipe, so if you make a single cake recipe, you will have frosting left over.)
Assembly
- Frost cake. Enjoy! You may also refrigerate the cake before serving. (Note: If you make the Paleo/GAPS version with honey, your frosting will be runnier, so it's easier to frost the cake in the pan with that version as opposed to a layer cake. But a layer cake will work, just refrigerate it after frosting.)
Notes
Find Orange Oil HERE.
Find Besti granulated Monk Fruit Sweetener HERE. (1 : 1 sweetness with sugar. If you order, be sure to use my discount code: BEAUTIFUL10, to get 10% off your order.)
Find Besti powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener HERE. (1 : 1 sweetness with sugar. If you order, be sure to use my discount code: BEAUTIFUL10, to get 10% off your order.)
Find pure Monk Fruit Extract HERE.
Nutrition
How to garnish this cake?
- Garnish with fresh berries, (or you can even add cranberries to the batter before baking during the winter holiday season).
- Garnish with shaved dark chocolate, like these bars: Keto bar or Paleo bar. Use a knife or veggie peeler to get shaved curls.
Do you make cakes often or for special occasions?
Here are a few more you might enjoy!:
- Keto No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cheesecake (also Paleo)
- Chocolate Mint Cupcakes with Swirl Frosting (Keto, Paleo, GAPS)
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Coffeecake (Keto, Paleo and GAPS)
- Chocolate Cream Cheese-Filled Cake (Primal, Gluten-free, Instant Pot option)
Meredith says
This cake looks delicious – what a wonderfully nostalgic recipe. And I loved the history lesson on creamsicles. Thanks!
Megan says
Thank you, Meredith! I’m so glad and you’re welcome! ๐
Jean Choi says
Ah this cake sounds too amazing! Love orange creamsicle so much, and I’m definitely going to be trying this.
Megan says
Great, Jean! Thank you. Enjoy!
Carina says
the cake looks amazing, I really like citrus in cakes, would love to try!
linda spiker says
I just made this cake! This six weeks in keto girl is very happy right now. I have never baked with coconut flour before and really like it. Thanks for this recipe. I will definitely make it again ๐
Megan says
Great Linda!! So happy to hear! Thank you for sharing your feedback! ๐ (Happy to hear you’re doing keto, btw, and enjoying it so far!)
Raia Todd says
Mmmm! I can almost smell and taste it through your pictures! It sounds so delicious!
ChihYu says
So delicious! Hard to eat just one slice!
Stacey Crawford says
I’m excited to try this! I love orange creamsicles so this will be epic!
Beth says
This looks amazing! Coconut flour is too hard on my stomach, though. Can you sub another flour? And how much? Thanks!!!!
Megan says
Hi Beth, sorry!, coconut flour is unique because of the liquid it absorbs in a recipe and the eggs it requires. It can not be replaced with any other flour. ๐
Don says
Yum! I love simple cakes like this. Plus it has a cream cheese frosting so I’m sold.
Sunrita | Spiceitupp says
Simply looking at the pictures of the cake is making me drool !! I am sure itโs as good as it looks!
Heather H says
To die for! I absolutely love orange creamsicle!
Jenni LeBaron says
I am absolutely in love with all of the delicious flavors in this orange creamsicle cake! This will be such a fun treat to make and enjoy with a big pot of tea!
jen says
How yummy, I’m a sucker for citrusy things AND cream cheese frosting . . . so you know I’ve bookmarked this to make this week!
Tanja says
I made this cake the other day, and my whole family agrees that it is SOO good. Really delicious, yet simple and impressive looking/tasting. The only minor issue was with the frosting- mine was quite runny, and even after refrigerating it, it still ran and was very liquidy. I love how thick your frosting looks, and how it really sits on top of the cake. Any tips? Will definitely be making this again!
p.s. We make your fermented waffle recipe weekly here! It’s truly a family favorite! xoxo
Megan says
Hi Tanja! Thank you for your feedback; it’s great to hear, and I’m so happy your family enjoyed the cake so much! ๐ Re the frosting, my guess is that it was the cream cheese, which can break down if beaten too much. So I would say to beat it less, if that resonates. Then, the frosting should firm up in the fridge. I put mine into the fridge until it’s spreadable, then frost the cake, then chill. I hope that helps and makes the difference! (Great about the fermented waffles!! ๐ ) xoxo
Tanja says
Thanks so much! Will try that!
Annie says
I am elated to have a GAPS friendly recipe for my childrenโs birthday next week! I have limited time to make the cake as I am starting oh-so-late. My plan is to make now, freeze and bring it out and frost the day of their party. I am missing the orange oil โ is this an absolutely essential ingredient for the cake and frosting?
Megan says
Hi Annie, great!! I love making GAPS recipes for special occasions, so I’m happy you found it. You can leave the orange oil out, for sure. It just won’t have the stronger orange flavor. Enjoy!
Marlene Wilhelm says
Iโll be using this recipe tomorrow to make cupcakes.
I only have orange flavored extract. Can I sub that for either the orange oil or the orange essential oil?
If so how much would you recommend I use?
Thank you. ?
Megan says
Hi Marlene, sorry for the late reply! We are traveling in Africa right now, and it’s been hard to get internet the last couple of days. I hope you figured it out. Yes, either oil will work great, just 1 to 2 drops for the EO.