Description
This Orange Poke Cake is soft, citrusy, and soaked with a sweet honey-orange glaze that makes every bite moist and flavorful. It starts with a simple boxed cake mix but gets a homemade twist with a fresh orange glaze. Perfect for spring and summer gatherings!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
1 box orange or yellow cake mix
-
1 cup orange juice
-
1/2 cup vegetable oil
-
3 large eggs
-
Zest of 1 orange
For the Honey-Orange Glaze:
-
1/2 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed)
-
1/4 cup honey
-
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
-
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Topping:
-
Whipped cream
-
Orange zest or thin orange slices for garnish
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
-
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, orange juice, oil, eggs, and orange zest. Beat with a mixer for 2 minutes until smooth.
-
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, honey, and butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts. Stir in vanilla and remove from heat.
-
When the cake comes out of the oven, use a skewer or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake.
-
Slowly pour the warm glaze evenly over the hot cake, letting it soak into the holes.
-
Allow the cake to cool to room temperature. Top with whipped cream and garnish with orange zest or slices if desired.
-
Slice and serve!
Notes
-
You can use yellow cake mix if orange isn’t available—just add a bit more zest to enhance the citrus flavor.
-
The glaze can be made ahead of time and gently reheated before pouring over the cake.
-
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.