Description
This Orange Creamsicle Jello Poke Cake tastes like pure sunshine—soft vanilla cake soaked with bright orange gelatin, then finished with a fluffy orange-vanilla cream topping. I make it ahead for gatherings because it slices beautifully, stays moist for days, and delivers that nostalgic creamsicle flavor in every chilled bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 box (3 oz) orange gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
- Orange slices or extra zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and water until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cake for 10–15 minutes.
- Dissolve orange gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly all over the warm cake (about 1 inch apart).
- Slowly pour the gelatin mixture evenly over the cake so it flows into the holes and soaks in.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, until the gelatin sets inside the cake.
- Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until thick, about 2 minutes.
- Fold in orange zest and whipped topping until light and smooth.
- Spread topping evenly over the chilled cake. Refrigerate 1 more hour for the cleanest slices.
- Slice, garnish if desired, and serve cold.
Notes
For deeper creamsicle flavor, add a few drops of orange extract to the topping or a pinch more zest. Poke deep holes so every bite gets orange gelatin. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days. This cake tastes best after chilling overnight, and it travels well in a cooler bag with ice packs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg