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4.57 from 90 votes

Orange Dreamsicle Cake {A Doctored Cake Mix Recipe}

This delicious Orange Dreamsicle Cake all starts with a simple cake mix! We love the combination of the orange cake layers with orange cream filling and orange cream cheese frosting!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Additional Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 15 servings
Author: Melissa and Bebe

Ingredients

Orange Cake Layers

  • 1 box, white cake mix, sifted 15.25 oz. (We used Duncan Hines)
  • 1 cup all purpose flour (plain in the UK) (114g)
  • 1 cup sugar (200g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ⅓ cups orange juice (322g)
  • 1 cup sour cream (we use full fat sour cream) (242g)
  • 1 Tablespoon orange extract (*See note below for alternative) (10g)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (2g)
  • zest of one orange
  • *A little orange coloring gel for additional color is optional

Orange Cream Filling

  • 1 small box instant Vanilla pudding (3.4oz/96g) We used Jello- Brand
  • 2 cups Heavy cream or whipping cream. (464g)
  • 1 tsp. Orange Extract (we used McCormick) (4g)

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (226 g)
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened (total weight 452g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (4g)
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract (4g)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (2g)
  • 6 cups powdered sugar (690g)
  • Orange Coloring Gel optional We used a very small amount for tinting.

Instructions

For the Orange Cake Layers

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 8x2 inch round cake pans.
  • In the bowl of your mixer, add the dry ingredients and whisk at least 30 seconds to blend.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix for 1 more minute. If you are using a hand mixer, mix for a bit longer.
  • Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes, if a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, it is done.
  • Cool in the pans 5 to 10 minutes then turn out.
  • Makes 7 ½ cups batter. Works well for cupcakes

Orange Cream Filling

  • Combine the pudding mix and heavy cream and orange extract in a mixing bowl. I prefer to mix with a hand held mixer, but a whisk is just fine too. If using a mixer, start on low speed until well combined. Then, switch to high speed and whip the pudding until thick and fluffy. If mousse is too thick, mix in small amounts of heavy cream to reach desired consistency.
  • If mixing by hand, simply whisk rapidly for a couple of minutes or until mixture is nice and thick.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use. Cakes with this filling should be chilled until close to serving time.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Cut the butter into slices and add to the bowl of your mixer. Beat on low to medium speed until the butter is softened and smooth.
  • Cut the cold cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, beating at low to medium speed until incorporated.
  • Add the vanilla and orange flavorings. Gradually add the powdered sugar beating on low speed until blended. Cover the bowl with a towel to keep down the cloud of powdered sugar.
  • Increase mixing speed and beat until fluffy. Don't over beat.
  • This frosting will pipe best if used while still chilled. You can make it in advance, refrigerate and when ready to use let it soften slightly (do not microwave) and remix.
  • Will frost a 3 layer 8 or 9 inch cake. When decorating our Dreamsicle Cake, we frosted our cake and then went back in with swirls of lightly tinted orange frosting for a pretty effect.

Assembling the Cake

  • Place first cake layer on pedestal or cake plate. Pipe a dam of cream cheese frosting about ½ inch from the edge of the cake using a piping bag with the tip snipped away. Filling with the orange cream filling. Repeat for the next cake layer and top with the final layer. Frost with cream cheese frosting.
  • I added additional texture with a small cake comb and topped with an orange slice.
  • © Melissa DiamondCATEGORY: Recipes

Notes

If you don't have Orange Extract, you can substitute 4 tablespoons (48g) Orange Jello powder in the cake batter.
If using orange jello powder as an orange extract substitute for the filling or frosting, dissolve a few tablespoons of jello powder with a tablespoon or two of very hot water and add to the filling or frosting in small amounts until you reach the desired amount of orange flavor.