Orange creamsicle cake is a moist cake, infused with delicious orange jello and creamy pudding. Perfectly sweet and tangy, you’ll love the creamsicle flavor.

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Table of Contents

Orange Creamsicle Cake Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cake
How to Serve Orange Creamsicle Cake
Storage
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
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Orange creamsicle cake has all the sweet and tangy flavors of orange and cream that no one will be able to resist. This fluffy cake, infused with delicious orange jello and creamy pudding, recreates all the goodness of orange creamsicles, but in a delicious cake form.

Can’t get enough of that nostalgic creamsicle flavor? Then you’ll definitely want to make Creamsicle Cookies, No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake, and Creamsicle Pie.

Orange Creamsicle Cake Ingredients

You will need:

15.25 ounces white cake mix, prepare as directed on the box
3 ounces orange gelatin mix
⅔ cup boiling water
⅔ cup cold water
3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
1¼ cups whole milk
8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
1½ cups whipped topping, optional garnish
15 ounces mandarin oranges, drained and roughly chopped
11 ounces mandarin oranges, drained (optional garnish)

Substitutions and Additions

ORANGE: You can add 1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest to the cake batter and also to the pudding topping for even more of an orange flavor kick. You can also add 1 teaspoon of orange flavoring to the cake batter.

CAKE MIX: You can substitute either French vanilla cake mix, funfetti cake mix, or even yellow cake mix for the plain white boxed cake mix.

WHIPPED TOPPING: If you would rather make your own whipped cream, you are more than welcome to. Try our recipe for homemade whipped cream as a perfect choice.

How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cake

STEP ONE: Prepare the white cake according to the box directions. Allow the cake to cool completely.

PRO TIP: Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cake at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

STEP TWO: Using a bamboo skewer, poke holes in the cake with about 1 inch between holes.

STEP THREE: Add the orange gelatin mix into a small mixing bowl or a 2-cup measuring cup.

STEP FOUR: Stir in the boiling water. Continue stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

STEP FIVE: Stir in the cold water. Continue stirring for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

STEP SIX: Spoon, or pour, the gelatin into the holes in the cake.

PRO TIP: When pouring the jello into the holes of the cake, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles, and make sure the jello fills the holes completely.

STEP SEVEN: Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

STEP EIGHT: After the cake has chilled, add the instant vanilla pudding mix to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

STEP NINE: Whisk in the milk. Continue whisking for about 1 minute until the pudding begins to thicken.

STEP TEN: Fold in the whipped topping.

STEP ELEVEN: Evenly sprinkle the chopped mandarin oranges over the top of the cake.

STEP TWELVE: Using a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the pudding mixture over the chopped mandarin oranges. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 more hours.

PRO TIP: Make sure you don’t skip the chilling step. It’s important to give the jello and pudding time to set and soak into the cake before serving it.

STEP THIRTEEN: Just before serving, add the 1½ cups of whipped topping to a disposable piping bag or a quart-size Ziploc with a corner snipped off.

STEP FOURTEEN: Slice the 15 slices measuring 2½ inches by 3 inches each.

STEP FIFTEEN: Gently squeeze out 15 silver dollar-sized dollops (about 1½ tablespoons each). Place 1 of the mandarin orange sections on each of the whipped topping dollops. Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve.

How to Serve Orange Creamsicle Cake

Orange creamsicle cake is a tasty treat that will bring back childhood memories. Enjoy a slice of this creamy dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side to make it even more irresistible. Adults could even pair it with a boozy creamsicle float for an even more nostalgic flavor.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this orange poke cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the creamsicle orange poke cake for up to 1 month. Allow the cake to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Orange creamsicle cake is super easy to make and will have you dreaming of days by the pool with a tasty ice cream in hand. You will love the delicious orange jello and creamy pudding that is infused into this creamsicle poke cake. Grab your fork and get ready to dive into this delicious dessert!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a poke cake?

Poke cake recipes create an easy cake that you poke small holes into. The holes are then filled with a liquid or filling — like condensed milk, pureed fruit, chocolate cream, jello, or pudding. It makes a moist and delicious cake.

What do you use to poke holes in poke cake?

The end of a wooden spoon or a wooden skewer is the best size to poke holes in the cake.

Can I freeze this orange creamsicle cake recipe?

This easy poke cake recipe freezes well and lasts up to three months in the freezer.

Can I make this easy dessert ahead of time?

You can make this easy orange creamsicle poke cake a day or two in advance. Since the cake should chill for a few hours to give it time for all the liquids to soak in, it is best to make it the day before.

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