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Orange Jello Poke Cake

Orange Jello Poke Cake - featured image
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A vibrant and moist white cake infused with citrusy orange Jello, topped with fluffy buttercream and fresh mandarin oranges.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 15.25 oz white cake mix
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 oz orange gelatin mix
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/3 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups icing sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 11 oz mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, and 1 cup water.
  4. Beat the mixture according to box directions until smooth and well combined.
  5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
  6. Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove the cake from the oven.
  8. Let the cake cool for exactly 5 minutes.
  9. While the cake is cooling, combine the orange gelatin mix with 1 cup of boiling water in a heatproof bowl.
  10. Stir vigorously for about 2 minutes until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
  11. Add the 1/3 cup cold water and stir to combine.
  12. Let this gelatin mixture cool for 2-3 minutes at room temperature.
  13. Add the fresh orange zest to the gelatin mixture and stir.
  14. Using a fork or wooden skewer, pierce the warm cake all over in a grid pattern.
  15. Make holes about 2 inches apart and going about halfway through the cake.
  16. Slowly pour the gelatin mixture over the entire surface of the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes.
  17. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours until the gelatin is set and firm to the touch.
  18. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it's smooth and pale.
  19. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, one cup at a time, beating well between additions.
  20. Once all the sugar is incorporated, add the milk, vanilla essence, and salt.
  21. Beat on medium-high speed for exactly 3 minutes until the frosting is smooth and creamy with a slight sheen.
  22. Remove the chilled cake from the refrigerator.
  23. Spread the buttercream frosting evenly over the entire surface using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
  24. Arrange the drained and patted-dry mandarin orange segments on top of the frosting in a decorative pattern.
  25. Gently press the mandarin oranges into the frosting so they stay in place.

Notes

Ensure butter is at true room temperature for a smooth buttercream.
Sift the icing sugar to prevent lumps in your frosting.
Don’t skip the fresh orange zest; it significantly boosts flavor.
Chill the cake thoroughly before frosting for easier spreading and clean layers.

Find it online: https://timelesscrumb.com/orange-jello-poke-cake/