Description
This vibrant dessert combines a soft white cake infused with orange Jell-O and mandarin juice, soaked in sweetened condensed milk, and finished with a creamy pudding-cream topping. It delivers the nostalgic taste of a Creamsicle in cake form.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
1 box white cake mix
-
Ingredients listed on the box (usually 3 egg whites, ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water)
-
3 oz box orange-flavored Jell-O
For the Soak:
-
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
-
¾ cup mandarin orange juice (from the canned mandarin oranges used in topping)
For the Topping:
-
1 (3.4 oz) box French vanilla instant pudding mix
-
1 cup whole milk
-
1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (Cool Whip)
-
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained and juice reserved
-
Optional: additional orange slices or zest for garnish
Instructions
-
Bake the Cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick spray.
Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, mixing in the orange Jell-O powder with the dry ingredients before adding liquids. Bake as directed on the box, usually 25–30 minutes. -
Prepare the Soak:
In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and mandarin orange juice until smooth. -
Poke and Soak:
Once the cake is baked, cool for 5 minutes. Using a chopstick or skewer, poke holes evenly across the surface. Pour the milk mixture over, focusing on the holes so the cake absorbs the liquid. Let cool completely. -
Make the Topping:
In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk until smooth but not set. Fold in whipped topping until blended. Stir in drained mandarin oranges, gently breaking them into smaller pieces if desired. -
Assemble and Chill:
Spread the topping evenly over the cooled cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. -
Garnish with orange zest or slices before serving. Slice into squares and serve chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking & Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380–420
- Sugar: 36–42g
- Sodium: 250–320mg
- Fat: 14–18g
- Saturated Fat: 8–10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4–6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58–62g
- Fiber: 0–1g
- Protein: 4–6g
- Cholesterol: 40–55mg