Orange Creamsicle Cake: A Nostalgic Dessert with a Citrus Twist
This Orange Creamsicle Cake brings the beloved flavors of a childhood favorite to life with a moist vanilla cake, infused with citrusy orange JELLO, and topped with a fluffy mandarin orange frosting. A delightful dessert perfect for any occasion!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cake Base
- Vanilla cake mix
- Eggs
- Milk or vanilla almond milk
- Vegetable oil
- Orange zest
- Orange JELLO
- Boiling water
- Fresh orange juice
For the Mandarin Orange Frosting
- Canned mandarin oranges
- Vanilla instant pudding mix
- Cool Whip or whipped cream
Instructions
- Bake the Vanilla Cake: Prepare the cake batter using vanilla almond milk and orange zest for extra flavor. Bake according to package instructions and let it cool slightly.
- Infuse with Orange JELLO: Use a skewer to poke holes throughout the cake. Dissolve the orange JELLO in boiling water, mix in fresh orange juice, and pour it over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Prepare the Fluffy Citrus Frosting: Beat mandarin oranges with vanilla pudding mix, then gently fold in Cool Whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread the frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Extra Citrus Kick: Add more orange zest to the cake batter for an intense orange flavor.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded together.
- Lighter Option: Use Greek yogurt in place of Cool Whip for a tangy twist.