Sunny Orange Poke Cake Recipe with Sweet Honey-Orange Glaze

Baking an irresistible orange poke cake can transport you to a world of vibrant citrus magic.

Sweet aromas will dance through your kitchen as fresh oranges infuse delightful flavor.

Moist cake layers become irresistible when punctured with delicate holes that capture every golden drop of glaze.

Delicate honey notes complement bright citrus undertones, creating a harmonious dessert experience.

Soft crumb and tangy glaze promise a symphony of textures that delight your palate.

Light, refreshing, and incredibly simple to prepare, this dessert brings sunshine to your table.

Gather your ingredients and let the culinary adventure begin – each slice promises pure happiness.

Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze That Pops

• Create a showstopping dessert with minimal baking skills, using simple pantry ingredients and basic mixing techniques.
• Perfect for brunch gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats that appeal to both kids and adults with its bright, sweet orange flavor.
• Poke cake technique ensures every bite is deeply infused with honey-orange glaze, guaranteeing a supremely moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Orange Poke Cake

• Cake Mix: Standard mix for a quick and easy base, choose a vanilla or white cake mix for best results.
• Orange Juice: Adds moisture and citrus flavor, fresh juice recommended for brighter taste.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender, neutral-flavored oil works best.
• Eggs: Provides structure and richness to the cake, use room temperature eggs.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies citrus flavor, use fresh zest for maximum aroma.

• Orange Juice, Honey, Butter: Creates a sweet and tangy glaze that penetrates the cake, use fresh orange juice and high-quality honey.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the glaze flavor, pure vanilla recommended.

• Whipped Cream, Orange Zest, Orange Slices: Optional decorative and complementary garnishes, fresh zest and slices enhance visual appeal and flavor.

How to Make Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Pan

Crank oven to 350F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Mix Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Orange juice
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Orange zest

Blend with electric mixer for 2 minutes until completely smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Bake Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan. Slide into preheated oven. Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in center.

Step 4: Create Honey-Orange Glaze

• Orange juice
• Honey
• Butter

Heat over medium flame, stirring until butter melts completely. Add vanilla extract. Remove from heat.

Step 5: Poke Cake Surface

Once cake exits oven, use wooden skewer or handle of wooden spoon to create holes across entire cake surface.

Step 6: Drench Cake With Glaze

Carefully pour warm glaze over hot cake, ensuring liquid seeps into every hole.

Step 7: Cool And Garnish

Allow cake to reach room temperature. Optional: Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle additional orange zest or add orange slice decorations.

Tips for Perfect Orange Poke Cake Results

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Poke multiple holes in the cake while it's hot to ensure the honey-orange glaze penetrates deeply, creating a moist and intensely flavored dessert.
• Control Sweetness Level: Adjust the honey quantity in the glaze to suit your taste preferences, making the cake more or less sweet as desired.
• Zest for Extra Zing: Add extra orange zest to both the cake batter and as a garnish to boost the citrusy brightness and aromatic quality of the dessert.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap the regular cake mix for gluten-free or low-sugar alternatives to accommodate different dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Storage Secret: Cover the cake loosely and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to extend its freshness while maintaining its delicious texture.

Store and Reheat Orange Poke Cake Properly

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it moist and fresh.
• Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power, or let the cake sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
• Slice the cake, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

What Goes with Orange Poke Cake

• Light, sweet white wine that echoes the cake's bright orange flavors and complements its delicate sweetness.
• Creamy, tangy frozen dessert that enhances the cake's citrus profile and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Crunchy, caramelized nuts add textural complexity and a warm, nutty undertone to the cake's zesty glaze.
• Aromatic, floral tea balances the cake's sweetness and brings out subtle citrusy undertones.

Fun Variations of Orange Poke Cake

• Gluten-Free Citrus Dream: Replace standard cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy this zesty dessert.
• Vegan Sunshine Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of regular oil, and select a plant-based cake mix for a dairy-free, egg-free version.
• Low-Sugar Bright Bite: Use a sugar-free cake mix, replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup, and incorporate stevia for sweetness without added calories.
• Dairy-Free Citrus Splash: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil in the glaze, use almond milk or coconut milk as liquid alternatives, perfect for lactose-intolerant bakers.

Orange Poke Cake Q&A

• Can I use fresh orange juice or bottled orange juice for this recipe?

Fresh orange juice works best for this recipe as it provides more vibrant flavor and natural sweetness compared to bottled juice. Freshly squeezed juice will give the cake a brighter, more intense orange taste.

• What type of cake mix should I use for this recipe?

A white or yellow cake mix works perfectly for this orange poke cake. Choose a standard boxed cake mix without any additional flavors to let the orange zest and juice shine through in the recipe.

• How do I know if the glaze is the right consistency?

The honey-orange glaze should be thin enough to easily pour and soak into the cake holes, but not so watery that it runs off completely. When you heat the ingredients, stir until the butter melts and everything is well combined, creating a smooth, slightly syrupy texture.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this cake a day in advance. After cooling and glazing, cover the cake and store it at room temperature. The flavors will actually develop and become more pronounced overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

Orange Poke Cake with Honey-Orange Glaze Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet orange poke cake elevates dessert with its tangy honey-orange glaze, creating a moist and irresistible treat. Each bite delivers sunshine-inspired flavor that will make you crave another slice of this delightful Hawaiian-inspired confection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box orange or yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• Zest of 1 orange

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ cup orange juice (fresh squeezed)
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

• Whipped cream
• Orange zest or thin orange slices for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease to prevent sticking.
2. Create the cake batter by whisking together cake mix, orange juice, oil, eggs, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to blend until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and free of lumps.
3. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly, and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully cooked.
4. Craft the honey-orange glaze simultaneously by combining orange juice, honey, and butter in a small saucepan, warming over medium heat until the butter completely melts and ingredients integrate smoothly.
5. Remove the glaze from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, stirring to blend flavors thoroughly.
6. Once the cake exits the oven, perforate its surface extensively using a skewer or wooden spoon handle, creating multiple channels for the glaze to penetrate.
7. Gently cascade the warm glaze across the hot cake, ensuring it seeps into the created holes, saturating the cake with citrusy sweetness.
8. Allow the cake to cool naturally to room temperature, creating a moist and flavorful dessert.
9. Optional: Enhance presentation by topping with whipped cream and garnishing with fresh orange zest or delicate orange slices before serving.

Notes

• Switch out cake mix for a gluten-free version to accommodate dietary restrictions and make the dessert more inclusive for those with sensitivities.
• Reduce honey content or substitute with a sugar-free alternative for diabetic-friendly modifications, maintaining the cake’s delightful orange flavor profile.
• Use fresh-squeezed orange juice instead of store-bought for enhanced citrus intensity and more vibrant, natural taste that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Add a sprinkle of toasted almond slivers or candied orange peel on top for extra texture and visual appeal that transforms the simple cake into an elegant treat.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 50mg