Orange Cake

We like desserts.  A lot.  This one is a favorite.  It smells like a fresh orange, it is moist and so full of orange flavor and it's sooo easy.  You start with a standard box mix and add a few pretty ordinary ingredients to make something amazing.   

Start by making the cake mix according to the package directions and bake it in a 9x13 inch pan.  While the cake bakes, you can make the glaze and the frosting.  Let's make the glaze first by zesting one orange.

Add the lovely fragrant zest to a small bowl. 

Add the powdered sugar.

Add the orange juice.

Whisk it all together.  It should be smooth and yummy.  Set the glaze aside to pour over the cake when it comes out of the oven.

Next we'll make the frosting.  Start with the zest of another orange.  Look at the picture below.  It looks like there are tiny drops of water splattered in the bowl.  That is actually oil from the zest of the orange.  That is flavor! ONLY use this much zest if you are also adding vanilla to the frosting.  If you do not have Mexican vanilla, use about half the zest of one orange.

Squeeze the orange juice into bowl. 

Add the powdered sugar.

Add the cream. 

You can add a tiny drizzle of Mexican vanilla if you have it.  Do not use Madagascar vanilla because it is a little bit too strong and harsh to go with the orange zest. 

Then work off the calories before you even eat the cake and whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks.  You can use a hand mixer for this if you want too.  It's much easier that way.  Just do not make the cream too stiff by over whipping it. 

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, grab a fork and punch holes all over the surface of the cake. 

Then pour the glaze over the cake and spread it around.  Try not to let is all dribble down over the edges.  Keep moving the glaze around so it can soak into the cake evenly.

When the cake is cook and the glaze has soaked in completely it is time to frost the cake.  There is not a ton of frosting for this cake...and if you don't like that you can make a double batch of frosting.

I like to decorate the cake with mandarin oranges to bump up the orange factor even more. 

We like to stick the cake in the fridge for a few hours and eat it cold.  I hope you enjoy this cake as much as we do. 

Orange Cake

Ingredients:

1 Orange Flavored Box Cake Mix - Baked in a 9x13 inch pan.

Glaze:
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup Orange Juice
Zest from 1 Orange

Frosting:
Zest and Juice of 1 Orange***
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
Few Drops of Mexican Vanilla - Optional
1 Cup Heavy Whipping cream

Garnish:
Mandarin Oranges - Optional

Directions:

1. Bake Orange Cake According to package directions in a 9x13 inch pan.
2. Mix Glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
3. When the cake comes out of the oven, pierce the entire surface with a fork. Pour the glaze over the cake and spread the glaze evenly over the cake. Let the cake absorb the glaze and cool.
4. Add the frosting ingredients to a medium bowl. Use a whisk or hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
5. When the cake is cool, frost with orange whipped cream. Garnish with mandarin oranges if desired. Enjoy.

***NOTE:  If you are not using vanilla in the frosting only use about half of the zest.  Too much zest is overpowering. 

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