Are you craving a dessert that's both incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Orange Crush Poke Cake! This delightful recipe combines the simple joy of a classic poke cake with the bright, refreshing taste of orange. It’s the perfect homemade dessert for any occasion, from casual weeknight gatherings to special celebrations. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this incredibly delicious and surprisingly quick dessert recipe! This easy recipe is perfect for beginners and a welcome addition to your quick dinner ideas collection.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- Ingredients listed on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water)
- For the Orange Crush Filling:
- 1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Orange zest (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
Get Started:
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Bake the Cake:
- Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. This usually takes around 30-35 minutes, but always check your cake mix box for specific baking times.
Create the Pores:
- Once the cake is completely cool, use a wooden skewer or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Make sure the holes are evenly spaced and go all the way to the bottom.
Make the Orange Filling:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the thawed orange juice concentrate, cold water, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour and Soak:
- Slowly pour the orange mixture over the poked cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. You may not use all of the mixture, depending on how many holes you poked. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the cake to soak up the delicious orange filling.
Whip the Cream:
- In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
Frost and Garnish:
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the soaked cake. Garnish with orange zest, if desired. Refrigerate for at least another 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the whipped cream to set.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use a homemade yellow cake recipe instead of a boxed mix.
- Add a layer of orange slices between the cake and the whipped cream for extra orange flavor.
- Substitute the heavy cream with whipped coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- If you don’t have orange juice concentrate, you can use freshly squeezed orange juice instead but you might need to adjust the amount of sugar.
- Make this ahead of time! This poke cake tastes even better the next day.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving, based on 12 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Fat: Approximately 18g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 10g
- Sugar: Approximately 40g
- Protein: Approximately 4g
This Orange Crush Poke Cake is a simple yet impressive dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s a delicious and easy recipe, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this burst of sunshine on a plate! It's a great addition to your collection of healthy meals and best recipes, demonstrating that delicious dishes can also be easy to make.