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    See More:   Desserts Raising Foodie Kids

    Last Modified: Mar 12, 2025 by Tara Gerner 30 Comments

    The Best Orange Creamsicle Cake

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    Orange Creamsicle Cake is an easy and refreshing poke cake recipe with orange Jello, orange soda, and vanilla pudding mix. Light and citrusy, this doctored cake mix with orange vanilla frosting is the perfect Dreamsicle cake for summer.

    one slice of Orange Creamsicle Cake with one bite removedPin

    I had this cake in a restaurant once, and I vowed to figure it out.

    Figure it out, I did.

    I love orange flavors, and this cake is so easy and bursting with bright, light orange and creamy vanilla. You can't go wrong.

    Why this is the best orange creamsicle cake recipe

    This recipe is simple to put together. It does have a lot of steps, but there are no difficult processes. You basically just mix some things together and pour them into the pan.

    This cake has orange soda mixed into the cake batter which gives the cake a bright orange taste that most orange poke cakes are lacking.

    The secret to this cake's moist texture is the jello mixture. You're going to poke holes in the baked cake and pour liquid jello right into the holes. It's so tasty and results in a burst of orange in every bite.

    Orange Creamsicle Cake on a white platePin

    What you'll need to make an orange dreamsicle cake

    EQUIPMENT

    • Large bowl - You'll need this to mix the cake mix with orange soda and eggs.
    • Electric mixer - I prefer to use an electric mixer for the cake batter, but you can do it with a sturdy whisk if that's all you have.
    • Whisk - Unnecessary if you use an electric mixer.
    • Silicone spatula - You'll need this to fold in the whipped topping for the cake's frosting.
    • Deep 9x13 pan - You'll bake the cake in a 9x13 pan.

    INGREDIENTS

    Orange Creamsicle Cake ingredientsPin

    See printable recipe card below for all measurements and nutritional information.

    • Large eggs
    • Yellow boxed cake mix - I really like the way a poke cake looks when you use a white cake mix, but I prefer the flavor of a yellow cake mix. Since you're mixing orange soda with the cake mix, you're not going to see the orange poke design anyway, so you might as well use the better tasting cake mix. You can also use a vanilla cake mix or even orange cake mix if you can find it..
    • Orange soda - This gives the cake such a great flavor! Plus, there's no need for orange food coloring because the soda is already bright orange.
    • Orange gelatin - You're going to mix up a batch of Jello and pour it over the hot cake so that it soaks in and makes the cake so moist and delicious. But then! You're also going to use a box of Jello in the frosting which makes it so decadent and delicious.
    • Instant vanilla pudding mix - No Creamsicle would be complete without a vanilla center, right? So we are going to put some vanilla pudding in the frosting for that extra creaminess and the vanilla flavor that makes the cake pop.
    • Milk - For the frosting. This has to be dairy milk or the frosting will be liquid.
    • Water - This is to make the jello.
    • Vanilla bean paste - Or use an equal amount of vanilla extract. I prefer vanilla bean paste because it's made with real, crushed up vanilla beans, and it has. a richer and bolder vanilla flavor. Vanilla extract is an alcohol-based liquid in which vanilla beans have been soaked and then removed. Vanilla bean paste does have a bit of alcohol in it, but when you use it in uncooked dishes like the frosting here, you don't get any of the bitter alcohol flavor that you can if you're heavy handed with vanilla extract.
    • Whipped topping - You need to use the fake stuff from the freezer section. Whipped cream from a can won't work here. I personally use the generic Cool Whip.
    • Mandarin orange slices - These are optional, for garnish.

    How to make the best easy orange creamsicle cake

    1. Preheat oven to 350ยบF.
    2. Add eggs to dry cake mix in a large mixing bowl.
      mix the cake and eggsPin
    3. Add orange soda to the cake mixture.
      add orange soda to the cake mixPin
    4. Mix well.
      mix the soda, cake mix, and eggs to form a batterPin
    5. Prepare 9X13 cake pan by spraying with non-stick spray or rubbing pan with butter.
    6. Pour batter into pan.
      pour the cake batter into the cake panPin
    7. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
      Orange Creamsicle Cake that has been bakedPin
    8. When cake is done, poke holes in the cake with fork or wooden skewer. No need to wait for the cake to cool.
      poke the baked cake with a fork all overPin
    9. Dissolve 1 package of orange jello in 1 cup of hot water. Add 1 cup of cold water, stir.
      mix the jello with waterPin
    10. Pour entire jello mixture over the cake. Refrigerate poked cake for at least 2 hours.
      pour the orange jello over the cake that has been poked full of holesPin
    11. Mix vanilla instant pudding mix and the other pack of dry jello together.
      mix the pudding mix and jello powderPin
    12. Add milk and vanilla bean paste.
      add vanilla to the milk, pudding, and jello powdersPin
    13. Mix well.
      the orange frosting after it's been mixed upPin
    14. Fold in thawed whipped topping.
      add cool whip to the frostingPin mix the cool whip into the orange frosting mixturePin
    15. Use this mixture to frost the cake.
      pour the frosting over the cooled cakePin
    16. If desired, decorate the top of the cake with a grid of mandarin orange slices.
      add mandarin orange slices to the frosted cakePin
    17. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Orange creamsicle poke cake variations

    If you want that traditional stripey poke cake appearance, you can leave out the orange soda from the cake batter and use a white cake mix. If you're doing it this way, I'd suggest using the end of a wooden spoon to make the holes rather than a fork. Make the holes further apart. Your cake isn't going to taste as good because the cake itself won't have an orange flavor. But it will look more impressive. I suppose you could use some orange extract in the white cake, and that would give it some flavor without coloring the cake. That's something to experiment with if you're so inclined.

    You can use fresh orange juice or even orange juice from a carton in place of the orange soda.

    You can add orange zest to any and all parts of this recipe. It's great in the cake batter and it's also great in the frosting.

    If you want to exaggerate the creamsicle flavor, serve this orange cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    I've never done it, but I think you could make this a layer cake. Bake the batter in 9-inch round cake pans lined with parchment paper. Poke the cake as suggested and refrigerate the cake layers for 2 hours to set the Jello. Remove the layers from the pans, and spread frosting on top of one of the layers. Refrigerate for an hour to set the frosting before adding the second layer on top. Once the frosting is firm, add the second layer on top and frost the whole thing.

    Orange Creamsicle Cake with orange frosting and mandarin orangesPin

    Can an orange creamsicle cake be made gluten-free?

    Yes. Just use a gluten-free cake mix. Everything else should already be gluten-free. That said, you should always check the labels to make sure.

    Can I lighten an orange creamsicle cake?

    Yes. Use sugar-free jello, sugar-free fat-free instant pudding mix, and light Cool Whip.

    Orange Creamsicle Cake on a white platePin

    Storing orange poke cake

    Because of the jello in the cake and jello and pudding in the frosting, this cake must be stored in the refrigerator. Leftovers will be good for about a week. Keep the cake wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.

    I don't recommend freezing this cake.

    Orange Creamsicle Cake in a white cake panPin

    Other poke cake flavors to try

    • Creamy lemonade - Use lemon jello and lemon-lime soda with lemon or vanilla instant pudding.
    • Strawberries and cream - Use strawberry jello and strawberry soda with vanilla instant pudding. Top with fresh strawberry slices.
    • Cherries and cream - Use cherry jello and black cherry soda with vanilla instant pudding.
    • Peaches and cream - Use peach jello with peach iced tea in place of the soda and then vanilla instant pudding.

    Check out these other delicious cake recipes

    • Feels Like Home Cake Recipes Archive
    • Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    • Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
    • Pumpkin Dump Cake
    • Flourless Chocolate Cake
    • Fruity Pebbles Cake
    • Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
    • Cherry Almond Cake

    Recipe

    one slice of Orange Creamsicle Cake with one bite removed

    The Best Orange Creamsicle Cake

    Orange Creamsicle Cake is an easy and refreshing poke cake recipe with orange Jello, orange soda, and vanilla pudding mix. Light and citrusy, this doctored cake mix with orange vanilla frosting is the perfect Dreamsicle cake for summer.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Finishing time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 32 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 321 kcal

    Equipment

    • Electric mixer
    • Whisk
    • Silicone spatula
    • Deep 9x13 pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 eggs
    • 1 yellow cake mix
    • 1 can orange soda
    • 2 package orange gelatin
    • 1 small package instant vanilla pudding
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • 8 ounces whipped topping
    • mandarin orange slices

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350ยบF.
    • Mix cake mix with orange soda and eggs.
    • Prepare 9X13 cake pan by spraying with non-stick spray or rubbing pan with butter.
    • Pour batter into pan. Bake 20-30 minutes.
    • When cake is done, poke holes in the cake with fork.
    • Dissolve 1 package of orange jello in 1 cup of hot water. Add 1 cup of cold water, stir.
    • Pour entire jello mixture over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours
    • Mix vanilla pudding mix and the other pack of dry jello together. Add milk and vanilla. Mix well. Fold in thawed whipped topping. Use this mixture to frost the cake.

    Notes

    Keep cake refrigerated.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword cake, orange
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. angie says

      October 29, 2009 at 5:38 pm

      that would make the perfect ending to any halloween party
      .-= angie´s last blog ..Halloween Special Crazy Sticky "Bat" Wing and Worm Buns =-.

      Reply
    2. angie says

      October 29, 2009 at 12:38 pm

      that would make the perfect ending to any halloween party
      .-= angie´s last blog ..Halloween Special Crazy Sticky "Bat" Wing and Worm Buns =-.

      Reply
    3. Geri@heartnsoulcooking says

      October 29, 2009 at 6:26 pm

      What a GREAT!!! and FUN!!! idea. Looks awesome!!!
      Geri
      .-= Geri@heartnsoulcooking´s last blog .." HONEY 'N' OATS BREAD " =-.

      Reply
    4. Geri@heartnsoulcooking says

      October 29, 2009 at 1:26 pm

      What a GREAT!!! and FUN!!! idea. Looks awesome!!!
      Geri
      .-= Geri@heartnsoulcooking´s last blog .." HONEY 'N' OATS BREAD " =-.

      Reply
    5. Robyns Online World says

      October 29, 2009 at 6:12 pm

      Wow - that is a very impressive looking cake! I wish I was better at baking and decorating - but it's just not my best thing.
      .-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Delicious Moments - Can You Vote? =-.

      Reply
    6. Lorri S says

      October 29, 2009 at 6:15 pm

      That looks good!! Might have to try this one.

      Reply
    7. Robyn's Online World says

      October 29, 2009 at 11:12 pm

      Wow - that is a very impressive looking cake! I wish I was better at baking and decorating - but it's just not my best thing.
      .-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Delicious Moments - Can You Vote? =-.

      Reply
    8. Lorri S says

      October 29, 2009 at 11:15 pm

      That looks good!! Might have to try this one.

      Reply
    9. Martha says

      October 30, 2009 at 12:34 pm

      Thanks for linking this up at the Krazy Kitchen Halloween party! What a perfectly delicious treat! ๐Ÿ™‚
      .-= Martha´s last blog ..Help! Somebody stop me! =-.

      Reply
    10. Martha says

      October 30, 2009 at 7:34 am

      Thanks for linking this up at the Krazy Kitchen Halloween party! What a perfectly delicious treat! ๐Ÿ™‚
      .-= Martha´s last blog ..Help! Somebody stop me! =-.

      Reply
    11. Sherry says

      October 30, 2009 at 9:42 am

      That looks absolutely amazing! ๐Ÿ˜€
      .-= Sherry´s last blog ..Friday Funnies = Man versus Mouse =-.

      Reply
    12. Snow White says

      October 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm

      I love those flavors together -- but that cake is yummy!
      .-= Snow White´s last blog ..Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream - Update! =-.

      Reply
    13. Snow White says

      October 30, 2009 at 9:10 am

      I love those flavors together -- but that cake is yummy!
      .-= Snow White´s last blog ..Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream - Update! =-.

      Reply
    14. SweetsLady says

      October 30, 2009 at 2:42 pm

      That looks absolutely amazing! ๐Ÿ˜€
      .-= Sherry´s last blog ..Friday Funnies = Man versus Mouse =-.

      Reply
    15. Kristen says

      October 30, 2009 at 7:32 pm

      We absolutely love creamsicles, so this is something I am going to have to try. It turned out adorable for Halloween.
      .-= Kristen´s last blog ..Mediterranean Chicken with Rosemary =-.

      Reply
    16. Kristen says

      October 30, 2009 at 2:32 pm

      We absolutely love creamsicles, so this is something I am going to have to try. It turned out adorable for Halloween.
      .-= Kristen´s last blog ..Mediterranean Chicken with Rosemary =-.

      Reply
    17. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy says

      October 30, 2009 at 7:50 pm

      What an adorable cake and I agree about the awesome flavor combo. Thank you for adding it to oUr kRaZy kItChEn hALLOWEEN party.

      Reply
    18. Donna says

      October 30, 2009 at 7:50 pm

      Great job!
      Looks wonderful!

      Reply
    19. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy says

      October 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm

      What an adorable cake and I agree about the awesome flavor combo. Thank you for adding it to oUr kRaZy kItChEn hALLOWEEN party.

      Reply
    20. Donna says

      October 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm

      Great job!
      Looks wonderful!

      Reply
    21. Amy @ Finer Things says

      October 31, 2009 at 9:16 pm

      Yum. What a fun cake!
      .-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Join the 30-Day Giving Challenge =-.

      Reply
    22. Amy @ Finer Things says

      October 31, 2009 at 4:16 pm

      Yum. What a fun cake!
      .-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Join the 30-Day Giving Challenge =-.

      Reply
    23. Nicole Feliciano says

      November 02, 2009 at 1:34 am

      What fun! Glad to see you got into the Halloween spirit. Thanks so much for sharing on Momtrends.

      Reply
    24. Nicole Feliciano says

      November 02, 2009 at 1:34 am

      What fun! Glad to see you got into the Halloween spirit. Thanks so much for sharing on Momtrends.

      Reply
    25. wendy9334 says

      November 07, 2009 at 5:46 pm

      I like orange and chocolate too. Maybe I could turn this into a Thanksgiving cake. I'll throw a turkey on top.

      Reply
    26. Wendy says

      November 08, 2009 at 1:46 am

      I like orange and chocolate too. Maybe I could turn this into a Thanksgiving cake. I'll throw a turkey on top.

      Reply
    27. BigGirlBlue says

      August 02, 2010 at 1:31 am

      I want someone to make this for me. LOL

      Reply

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