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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the glaze from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, stirring to blend flavors thoroughly.
- 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.
- Gently cascade the warm glaze across the hot cake, ensuring it seeps into the created holes, saturating the cake with citrusy sweetness.
- Allow the cake to cool naturally to room temperature, creating a moist and flavorful dessert.
- 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