- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 6 cups cake flour, divided
- 1 tablespoon baking powder, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 1/4 cups (4 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, divided
- 5 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 12 large eggs, separated
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, divided
- 3 cups buttermilk, divided
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise
- 8 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, chilled, divided
- 2 1/2 cups (5 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
- 4 teaspoons finely grated orange zest, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, divided
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted, divided
- 4 (6-ounce) containers raspberries, divided
- Edible flowers (for garnish; optional)
- 2 (10-inch) round cake pans; 2 (6-inch) round cake pans
- Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F. Lightly coat 10″ cake pans with nonstick spray and line bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar in a large bowl, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add 4 egg yolks in 2 additions, scraping down bowl after each. Beat in 1 tsp. vanilla.
- Reduce mixer speed to low, then add dry ingredients in 2 additions alternately with 1 cup buttermilk in 2 additions, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
- Using electric mixer on medium speed, beat 4 egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form, 2–3 minutes. Slowly add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and continue to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 3 minutes more. Fold half of the egg whites into flour mixture, then gently fold in remaining egg whites.
- Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake cake, rotating pan halfway through and covering with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking, until golden brown, firm to the touch, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool.
- Meanwhile, repeat steps to make a second 10″ cake.
- Lightly coat 6″ cake pans with nonstick spray and line bottoms with parchment paper. Repeat steps using remaining 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. salt, 3/4 cup butter, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1 cup buttermilk. Pour 1 1/2 cups batter into each pan; smooth tops. Discard remaining cake batter.
- Bake cakes, rotating pans halfway through and covering with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking, until golden brown, firm to the touch, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cakes cool.
- Combine granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan. Scrape in vanilla seeds, add pods, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, and steep at least 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Discard pods before using.
- Using electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat 4 packages cream cheese and 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter in a large bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in 2 tsp. orange zest, 2 Tbsp. orange juice, and 2 tsp. vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to medium and beat in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes. Transfer frosting to a large bowl.
- Repeat frosting steps with remaining 4 packages cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, 2 tsp. orange zest, 2 Tbsp. orange juice, and 2 tsp. vanilla. Transfer to bowl with frosting; cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly on surface, and chill until ready to use.
- Run a knife around edges of cooled cakes and invert onto wire racks; remove parchment.
- Spread 1 Tbsp. frosting in the center of a 10″ cake board or platter. Place 1 (10″) cake, top side down, in the center. Using a pastry brush, brush 3 Tbsp. vanilla syrup over top of cake. Using an offset spatula, spread 1 cup frosting evenly over top. Arrange 6 oz. raspberries in a ring around perimeter of cake, pressing to adhere. Fill interior of ring with 6 oz. raspberries. Spread 1 cup frosting over raspberries inside of ring; do not frost raspberries at the perimeter.
- Carefully place second 10″ cake, top side down, on frosted raspberries, gently pressing down to secure. Brush 3 Tbsp. syrup over top of cake with pastry brush. Spread 2 1/2 cups frosting evenly over top and sides, carefully covering raspberries. Chill at least 30 minutes to let frosting set.
- Meanwhile, spread 1 Tbsp. frosting in the center of a 6″ cake board or removable tart pan bottom. Place 1 (6″) cake, top side down, in the center. Brush 2 Tbsp. vanilla syrup over top of cake with pastry brush. Spread 3/4 cup frosting with offset spatula evenly over top. Arrange 3 oz. raspberries in a ring around perimeter of cake, pressing to adhere. Fill interior of ring with 3 oz. raspberries. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over all raspberries with offset spatula to cover.
- Carefully place second 6″ cake, top side down, on frosted raspberries, gently pressing down to secure. Brush 2 Tbsp. syrup over top of cake with pastry brush; reserve remaining syrup for another use. Spread 1 1/2 cups frosting evenly over top and sides of cakie, carefully covering raspberries. Chill at least 30 minutes to let frosting set.
- Cakes can now be transported for finishing. To assemble, carefully place 6″ layer cake (on the board) in the center of the 10″ cake. Spread 2 cups frosting over top and sides, swirling decoratively, making sure to cover seam between 10″ cake and bottom cake board; reserve remaining frosting for another use.
- Chill at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to let frosting set. Before serving, top cake with remaining 6 oz. raspberries and edible flowers, if using.
- Cake is easier to work with when chilled overnight. Cake can be made 3 days ahead; wrap tightly in plastic and chilled, or frozen up to 2 weeks. Syrup can be made 5 days ahead; store in an airtight container and chill. Frosting can be made 3 days ahead; cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly on surface, and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.