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Irresistible Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe for Summer Delights Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 137 reviews
  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

This Irresistible Orange Creamsicle Cake combines the bright citrus flavor of fresh oranges, tangy JELLO, and creamy vanilla pudding for a refreshing summer dessert. Moist vanilla cake infused with orange zest is soaked in an orange JELLO mixture and topped with a luscious mandarin and pudding Cool Whip frosting, making it a perfect treat for warm weather gatherings or a delightful family dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

  • 15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk or vanilla almond milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

JELLO Soak:

  • 3.4 ounces orange JELLO
  • 1.25 cups boiling water
  • ⅓ cup fresh squeezed orange juice

Topping:

  • 15 ounces can of mandarin oranges (do not drain)
  • 3.5 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat your oven and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, prepare the cake mix according to the package directions, substituting the water with milk or vanilla almond milk. Add the orange zest to the batter to infuse it with citrus flavor. Mix until smooth.
  2. Baking the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to package instructions. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes to set and slightly firm up.
  3. Poking Holes: Using a skewer or fork, poke holes evenly all over the top of the slightly cooled cake. These holes will help the JELLO mixture soak into the cake, adding moisture and flavor.
  4. Preparing the JELLO Mixture: In a heatproof bowl, sprinkle the orange JELLO powder. Slowly pour the boiling water over it, whisking constantly until the JELLO is fully dissolved. Stir in the fresh squeezed orange juice to add natural citrus brightness and deepen the orange flavor.
  5. Soaking the Cake: Carefully and slowly pour the prepared orange JELLO mixture evenly over the entire cake surface, allowing it to seep through the holes and soak into the cake layers. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours to let it fully absorb the JELLO.
  6. Preparing the Topping: In a mixing bowl, beat the mandarin oranges with the vanilla instant pudding mix until well combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip, taking care to keep the mixture light and fluffy. Spread this creamy topping evenly over the chilled cake.
  7. Final Chill and Serve: Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the topping to set and flavors to meld. Serve chilled for a refreshing summertime dessert experience.

Notes

  • Substituting vanilla almond milk adds a subtle nutty flavor and makes it dairy-free if using suitable Cool Whip alternatives.
  • Do not drain the mandarin oranges, as the juice adds moisture and flavor to the topping.
  • Poking holes in the cake is essential for the JELLO soak to penetrate and keep the cake moist.
  • Chilling times can be extended for better flavor infusion and smoother topping texture.
  • This cake is best served chilled and consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Orange Creamsicle Cake, Vanilla Cake, Orange JELLO Cake, Summer Dessert, Mandarin Orange Cake

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Find it online: https://naomifletcher.com/irresistible-orange-creamsicle-cake-recipe-for-summer-delights-recipe/