Okay, so you know that dreamy orange popsicle from way back? This cake tastes just like that. I’m not even kidding.

It’s light, creamy, and a little tangy too. The orange and vanilla mix is just perfect. Every bite feels like summer.

I made it once, and now it’s all anyone asks for. It’s super easy. And yep—it starts with a cake mix!

Wanna make it with me? You’re gonna love how fun it is. Let’s get into this yummy magic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Reader Favorite: This dessert is a hit with everyone who tries it. As one reader said, “It’s like eating a frozen creamsicle in cake form!”
Tastes Like Summer: The combination of orange and creamy frosting reminds you of the iconic Orange Creamsicle treat. It’s a taste of sunshine in every bite!
Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can create an impressive dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Perfect for Parties and Gatherings: This cake can be made ahead of time and is sure to be the star of the dessert table. It serves a large group of people and everyone loves it.
Customizable: You can add fun toppings like mandarin oranges or whipped cream, or even switch up the cake mix flavor to match your preferences.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you start, here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this delicious Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake:

9×13-inch Baking Dish: This is the size of the cake pan you’ll use to bake the cake.
Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple of bowls to mix the cake ingredients, Jell-O, and frosting.
Electric Mixer (Optional): While you can mix the frosting by hand, an electric mixer makes it easier to get a smooth and creamy texture.
Poking Tool: A fork or a wooden spoon handle works great for poking the holes in the cake.
Spatula or Knife: To spread the frosting evenly over the cake.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For measuring the ingredients accurately.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make the cake and frosting (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

Cake Ingredients:

15.25-ounce box of white cake mix: This forms the base of your poke cake. You’ll add eggs, oil, and water as directed on the package.
Egg whites: The box mix will require egg whites to help the cake rise and become fluffy.
Oil: I recommend using vegetable oil or canola oil to keep the cake moist.
Water: This will also be part of the wet ingredients for the cake.

Jell-O Mixture:

3-ounce box of orange Jell-O: This adds the vibrant orange flavor to the cake, and when mixed with water, it creates a fun, flavorful soak for the cake.
1 cup of boiling water: This helps dissolve the Jell-O powder to create the syrupy liquid that’s poured over the cake.
½ cup of cold water: This helps bring the Jell-O mixture to the right consistency for soaking into the cake.

Frosting Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This is the base for the creamy frosting. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it mixes smoothly.
3 ½ cups powdered sugar: This provides sweetness and helps the frosting set to the perfect consistency.
3 tablespoons milk: For thinning out the frosting to your desired texture.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a hint of sweetness and depth of flavor.
¼ teaspoon salt: This balances the sweetness of the frosting.

For Garnish:

Mandarin orange slices (drained very well): These add a nice, fresh touch on top of the cake, plus they enhance the flavor and visual appeal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Cake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Prepare the Cake Mix:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix with the egg whites, oil, and water as per the instructions on the box. Use an electric mixer or whisk to blend everything together until smooth.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

Bake the Cake:

Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

2. Make the Jell-O Mixture

While the cake is cooling, it’s time to prepare the orange Jell-O:

In a medium bowl, dissolve the orange Jell-O powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until the Jell-O is fully dissolved.
Add ½ cup of cold water to the Jell-O mixture and stir. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, but don’t let it set.

3. Poke the Cake

Once the cake has cooled completely, it’s time to create the signature “poke” effect.

Use a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart. Be sure to poke deep enough to allow the Jell-O to soak into the cake, but not so deep that you tear the cake apart.

4. Soak the Cake with Jell-O

Slowly pour the prepared Jell-O mixture over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. You may need to gently spread the liquid around to ensure that all of the cake is covered.
Once the cake is fully soaked, cover it with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for at least 2-3 hours or overnight if possible. This allows the Jell-O to fully absorb into the cake and gives it time to set.

5. Make the Frosting

While the cake is chilling, prepare the creamy frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

6. Frost the Cake

Once the cake has chilled and the Jell-O has set, it’s time to spread the frosting on top. Use a spatula to evenly cover the entire surface of the cake with the creamy frosting.
Garnish the cake with mandarin orange slices for a beautiful and tasty finishing touch.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Once your Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake is decorated, slice it into squares and serve it chilled. The cool, creamy texture combined with the tangy orange flavor is sure to be a hit with everyone.

Variations for Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake

While this Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake is fantastic as-is, there are several ways you can customize the flavor and presentation:

Add Whipped Cream: For an even lighter texture, top the cake with a layer of homemade or store-bought whipped cream.
Orange Zest: Add some freshly grated orange zest to the frosting for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Try a Different Flavor Cake Mix: Experiment with other cake mix flavors, like lemon or vanilla, for a unique twist on the classic.
Mix in Fruit: Add a layer of crushed pineapple or strawberries for added fruitiness.
Use Different Jell-O Flavors: Switch up the Jell-O flavor for a variety of fruity combinations, like strawberry or lime.

Storing Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake

In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cake is best enjoyed chilled.
Freezing: You can freeze this cake for up to 3 months. After frosting the cake, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount per serving
Calories	380
Total Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	8g
Cholesterol	35mg
Sodium	210mg
Total Carbohydrates	58g
Fiber	1g
Sugars	45g
Protein	2g

Conclusion

This Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake is the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the combination of citrus and cream. It’s easy to make, perfect for a crowd, and will have your guests reminiscing about their favorite childhood frozen treat. Whether you’re making it for a summer BBQ, birthday party, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, this cake is guaranteed to be a hit. Plus, with the poke cake technique, the flavors are infused throughout, ensuring that every bite is as delicious as the last.

Enjoy this light and refreshing dessert – it’s a guaranteed way to brighten anyone’s day!