Orange Dreamsicle Cake
A moist, citrus-forward Orange Dreamsicle Cake made with orange gelatin, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a silky orange frosting topped with Cool Whip for that nostalgic creamsicle finish.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 12
Ingredients
– 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
– 3 oz orange gelatin powder
– 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
– 1/2 cup neutral oil
– 3 large eggs
– 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
– 1 cup cold milk
– 8 oz Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream
– Orange frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2–3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest
– Optional: extra zest and thin orange slices for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 pan or two 8-inch pans.
2. Whisk cake mix with orange gelatin. Add eggs, oil, orange juice, pudding mix, and milk; mix until smooth.
3. Bake 25–30 minutes (9×13) or 22–26 minutes (rounds), until a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs.
4. Cool completely. Optional: brush 2–3 tbsp orange juice on the warm cake.
5. Beat cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest for a smooth orange frosting.
6. Spread a thin frosting layer, chill, add Cool Whip, and finish with a final swoop or just zest.
7. Chill 30–60 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For a poke variation, pour dissolved orange gelatin over poked cake. Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days.