Description
Creamy orange creamsicle cake delivers nostalgic summer flavors in a delightful dessert. Citrus-infused layers with velvety frosting will transport you to childhood memories of cool, refreshing treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz/432 g) white or vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice
- 1 small box (3 oz/85 g) orange-flavored gelatin
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsps heavy cream or milk
- Fresh orange slices
- Orange sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheating and Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C). Prepare cake pans by thoroughly greasing and flouring, or lining with parchment paper for seamless cake release.
- Batter Creation: Combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange zest, and orange gelatin powder in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until achieving a silky, uniform consistency that radiates vibrant citrus notes.
- Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Test cake’s readiness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge pristine and residue-free.
- Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transition to a wire rack. Allow layers to cool completely, ensuring optimal frosting application and structural integrity.
- Frosting Development: Whip butter and cream cheese until ethereally smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, integrating vanilla extract for nuanced flavor. Calibrate consistency with delicate additions of heavy cream or milk.
- Cake Assembly: Position first cake layer on serving plate. Lavish with a generous frosting layer. Crown with second cake layer, then meticulously enrobe entire cake in remaining frosting.
- Finishing Touches: Embellish with gossamer orange zest, vibrant orange segments, or playful sprinkles. Briefly chill to stabilize frosting or serve at ambient temperature for a luscious dining experience.
Notes
- Zest Maximization: Collect fresh orange zest using a microplane grater for intense citrus flavor without bitter white pith.
- Moisture Maintenance: Add orange juice gradually to prevent cake batter from becoming too liquid, ensuring a dense and tender crumb.
- Temperature Control: Allow ingredients like eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing for smoother, more uniform cake batter.
- Frosting Stability: Chill cream cheese and butter beforehand to create a firmer, more spreadable frosting that holds its shape better.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg