Dreamsicle Cake is a creamy, delightful dessert that brings a burst of citrus sunshine to any occasion. It's easy to make and assemble and always a get-together hit!
Orange Dreamsicle Cake is a creamsicle ice cream lover's dream come true! With 8 simple ingredients including a convenient, store-bought orange box cake mix, this cake is super quick to make when you're short on time!
The sweet tanginess of the frosting combined with the bright orange, tender cake layers perfectly recreates the flavors of the classic creamsicle popsicle. You'll think you have more icing than what's need for the layer, but NOPE! It's the exact amount you'll want with each bite of cake. It's a foolproof dessert that will have everyone wanting a second slice!
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If it's your first time to make the Dreamsicle cake, I'm certain it won't be your last. Along with this cake, I would highly recommend my Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Zinger Cake as semi-homemade cool dessert options that your friends and family will love!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A Showstopper Dessert: Dreamsicle Cake is sure to steal the spotlight. It's sweet orange flavor, orange cream filling, and stunning look make for the perfect cool treat!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Every summer barbecue, birthday celebration, or casual get-together, or holiday has a place at the table for this tasty treat! It's the perfect dessert any time of the year, but especially in the warmer months!
- Easy to Make, Hard to Resist: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can create this easy cake recipe that looks and tastes like it came straight from a bakery.
- Summery Refreshment in Every Slice: With its vibrant orange color and creamy frosting, Dreamsicle Cake embodies the essence of summer.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Ducan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix: This orange cake mix forms the base of the cake with a vibrant orange flavor and a tender crumb texture.
- Milk: Adds moisture and richness.
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent and adds structure.
- Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: Provides additional moisture and adds to the cakes tenderness.
- Orange Extract: Enhances the citrus flavor of the cake and icing.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps to thicken it.
- Cool Whip: Provides a light and fluffy texture to the frosting, making it creamy and decadent.
Tools You'll Need
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Spatula
- Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- 2-9" Cake Pans or 13"x9" Baking Dish
How to Make a Dreamsicle Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray 2 9-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, eggs, oil and extract and beat with an electric mixer on low speed and increasing to medium speed for 1 minute.
- Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. For successful cake removal, cool completely, run a knife along the edges of the pan , flip the pan over, and give the bottom of the pan a gentle pat to release onto a cooling rack.
- For the icing, in a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, powdered sugar and extract with a whisk until well blended.
- Fold in the Cool Whip.
- Assemble the cake on a cake stand: cake layer one, ⅓ of the icing, cake layer 2, and the remaining icing on the top of the cake and all around the sides.
- Refrigerate the frosted cake until ready to serve. For best results, refrigerate at least 2 hours prior to serving.
Garnishes and Lemon Variation
Elevate the presentation of this cake by adding orange slices or fresh mint sprigs.
You can make this easy orange layer cake into a lemon cake by substituting the Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix with a Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix. You'll also want to swap the orange extract with lemon or vanilla extract.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Cake Size: You can also make this dessert in a 13"x9" baking dish. If so, you can cut the frosting volume in half.
- Oil Options: While vegetable oil or canola oil is commonly used in cake recipes for its neutral flavor and moist texture, you can substitute it with melted unsalted butter or coconut oil if desired. Keep in mind that using butter will add a richer flavor to the cake.
- Greek Yogurt: If you don't have sour cream on hand for the frosting, you can use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt as a substitute. Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture similar to sour cream.
- Homemade Whipped Cream: If you prefer homemade whipped cream over Cool Whip, you can whip with an electric mixer on high speed 3 cups heavy cream with ½ cup powdered sugar, and the orange extract until stiff peaks form. Resume with the frosting recipe mixing with sour cream and 1-2 cups powdered sugar.
- Cake Mix: This recipe calls specially for a Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix for its flavor and convenience. It's available in most grocery stores or can be ordered on online. A gluten-free alternative is Magnolia Mixes Orange Pound Cake Mix.
I guarantee this cake will be a hit anywhere you take it! Be sure to try another orange dessert favorite, these easy Orange Bars!
Storage and Freezing
Dreamsicle Cake should be stored in the refrigerator because of the dairy content. It can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four days.
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw the cake layers in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use fresh orange zest or freshly squeezed orange juice to enhance the orange flavor in the cake batter. Just be sure to adjust the liquid ingredients accordingly to maintain the desired consistency of the batter.
You can bake the cake layers in advance and freeze them for later use. Wrap the cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. Thaw the cake layers in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and assembling the cake.
Yes, you can substitute melted butter for oil in the cake batter if you prefer. Keep in mind that butter will add a richer flavor to the cake, so adjust the amount accordingly based on your taste preferences.
Yes, adding a splash of orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau, can enhance the orange flavor in the cake batter. However, be mindful of the alcohol content if serving the cake to children or individuals who avoid alcohol.
A Creamsicle is a popular frozen ice cream bar that consists of a creamy vanilla ice cream center surrounded by a layer of flavored fruit ice, typically orange, although other flavors such as raspberry, lime, or cherry may also be used. It's been known to be a popular item sold from an ice cream truck. This easy orange cake marries the flavors of the popular treat perfectly!
More Incredible Cakes
- Zinger Cake
- Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Strawberries and Cream Tres Leches Cake
- Chocolate Mocha Tres Leches Cake
Dreamsicle Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 ounce box Duncan Hines box Orange Supreme Cake mix
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons orange extract
Frosting
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 16 ounce container Cool Whip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray 2 9-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, eggs, oil and extract and beat with an electric mixer on low speed and increasing to medium speed for 1 minute.
- Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. For successful cake removal, cool completely, run a knife along the edges of the pan , flip the pan over, and give the bottom of the pan a gentle pat to release onto a cooling rack.
- For the icing, in a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, powdered sugar and extract with a whisk until well blended.
- Fold in the Cool Whip.
- Assemble the cake on a cake stand: cake layer one, ⅓ of the icing, cake layer 2, and the remaining icing on the top of the cake and all around the sides.
- Refrigerate the frosted cake until ready to serve. For best results, refrigerate at least 2 hours prior to serving.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Cake Size: You can also make this dessert in a 13"x9" baking dish. If so, you can cut the frosting volume in half.
- Oil Options: While vegetable oil or canola oil is commonly used in cake recipes for its neutral flavor and moist texture, you can substitute it with melted unsalted butter or coconut oil if desired. Keep in mind that using butter will add a richer flavor to the cake.
- Greek Yogurt: If you don't have sour cream on hand for the frosting, you can use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt as a substitute. Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture similar to sour cream.
- Homemade Whipped Cream: If you prefer homemade whipped cream over Cool Whip, you can whip with an electric mixer on high speed 3 cups heavy cream with ½ cup powdered sugar, and the orange extract until stiff peaks form. Resume with the frosting recipe mixing with sour cream and 1-2 cups powdered sugar.
- Cake Mix: This recipe calls specially for a Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix for its flavor and convenience. It's available in most grocery stores or can be ordered on online. A gluten-free alternative is Magnolia Mixes Orange Pound Cake Mix.
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