Bright Sunny Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze Recipe

Sunshine bursts through every slice of this delightful honey-orange poke cake that promises a tangy, sweet adventure.

Orange zest dances delicately across the soft, moist layers, creating a vibrant dessert experience.

Bursting with citrusy brightness, the cake captures summer’s essence in each tender bite.

Dollops of silky honey-orange glaze seep into perfectly punctured holes, ensuring maximum flavor in every forkful.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular treat.

Rich, golden hues and bright citrus notes make this cake a showstopper at any gathering.

Prepare to be enchanted by a dessert that celebrates the pure, refreshing joy of oranges.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze

• Cake Mix: Provides a quick and foolproof foundation for the cake, ensuring soft and tender texture.
• Orange Juice: Adds bright citrus flavor and helps keep the cake moist and tender.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates a light, tender crumb and helps prevent the cake from drying out.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies the orange flavor and adds aromatic citrus notes.

• Orange Juice: Brings fresh, tangy citrus essence to the glaze.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and creates a glossy, smooth glaze texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, luxurious glaze.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor complexity and adds depth to the glaze.

• Whipped Cream: Adds creamy, light topping that complements the cake's citrus profile.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright garnish and reinforces the cake's orange flavor.
• Orange Slices: Creates an elegant and fresh visual presentation.

Tools That Help You Poke, Pour, and Glaze with Ease

• Mixing bowl: Large bowl for combining cake ingredients.
• Electric mixer: Needed to beat cake batter until smooth.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for baking the cake.
• Saucepan: Small pan for preparing the honey-orange glaze.
• Wooden spoon handle or skewer: Used to poke holes in the cake.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Bake This Moist Orange Poke Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and give your baking pan a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Mix the Magic

Grab a big bowl and blend cake mix, fresh orange juice, oil, eggs, and zesty orange peels. Whip everything together until silky smooth for about two minutes.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the oven. Watch the clock for 25-30 minutes – you’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean.

• Create the Glorious Glaze

In a small pot, combine orange juice, golden honey, and creamy butter. Heat gently until butter melts completely. Stir in vanilla and take off the heat.

• Poke and Soak

Once the cake emerges from the oven, grab a skewer and create little holes all across the surface. Slowly drizzle the warm glaze, letting it seep into every delicious crevice.

• Cool and Garnish

Let the cake chill to room temperature. If you’re feeling fancy, crown it with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle some extra orange zest on top.

Glaze Tips and Optional Toppings

• Ensure your cake mix is room temperature for even mixing and smoother texture.
• Prepare this cake a day ahead, as the flavors intensify and become more vibrant when resting overnight.
• Swap regular cake mix with a gluten-free alternative to make this dessert celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
• Experiment with different citrus zests like tangerine or blood orange to create unique flavor profiles that complement the original recipe.
• Replace butter in the glaze with coconut oil and use a non-dairy whipped topping to make this cake suitable for dairy-sensitive guests.

Serve Chilled or at Room Temperature

• Citrus Brunch Delight: Serve this cake as a stunning centerpiece for a weekend brunch, pairing it with fresh mimosas and light breakfast dishes.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Slice into elegant pieces and serve alongside hot Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated dessert moment that feels both comforting and refined.
• Dessert Finale: Present a wedge with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, creating a delightful end to a summer dinner party.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack individual slices in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, making it an easy and delicious portable dessert that travels well.

Store Slices So They Stay Soft and Luscious

• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping it moist and delicious. Cover with plastic wrap or a cake dome to prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate cake for extended freshness, lasting up to 5 days. Place in a sealed container to maintain its soft texture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual cake slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best taste and texture.
• Before serving a refrigerated cake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This helps restore its soft, tender crumb and enhances the vibrant orange flavor.

Sunny Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy orange poke cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its zesty Southern charm. Luscious glaze drizzled over moist cake layers promises a refreshing sweet experience you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (15.25 oz) orange or yellow cake mix
• 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice (fresh squeezed)
• ¼ cup (85 g) honey
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Orange zest or thin orange slices for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease to prevent sticking.
2. Mixing: Blend cake mix, orange juice, oil, eggs, and orange zest using an electric mixer for 2 minutes until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Baking: Transfer batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean from the center.
4. Glaze Creation: Simultaneously, craft the honey-orange glaze by combining orange juice, honey, and butter in a saucepan. Gently heat until butter melts completely, then incorporate vanilla and remove from heat.
5. Moisturizing: After removing the cake from the oven, puncture multiple holes throughout the surface using a skewer or wooden spoon handle. Methodically pour the warm glaze over the hot cake, allowing it to seep deeply into the perforations.
6. Finishing: Let the cake cool to room temperature. Optional: Crown with billowy whipped cream and embellish with delicate orange zest or vibrant orange slices for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Use fresh oranges and zest them before juicing to capture maximum citrus flavor and aroma in the cake.
• Create multiple evenly distributed holes across the cake’s surface to ensure uniform glaze absorption, using a thin skewer or chopstick for best results.
• Pour warm glaze immediately over hot cake to help liquid penetrate deeper into cake’s interior, enhancing moisture and flavor infusion.
• Substitute vegetable oil with applesauce for a lower-fat version, or use gluten-free cake mix to make the recipe suitable for alternative dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg