A Slice of Sunshine: How to Make the Perfect Orange Juice Cake

Photo byAngie Bright

Few desserts are as refreshing and zesty as Orange Juice Cake. This simple yet flavorful cake has become a favorite in households across the country, thanks to its light texture, citrusy punch, and irresistible glaze. With every bite, you’re reminded of sunny mornings and bright, tangy flavors, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a birthday party, or just want a sweet treat after dinner, this Orange Juice Cake is bound to be a hit.

The secret to the cake’s wonderful flavor lies in the combination of boxed yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, and fresh orange juice. Together, they create a moist, fluffy cake with a vibrant citrus taste that isn’t overpowering. The added touch of the glaze, made with more orange juice, sugar, and butter, seeps into every nook and cranny of the bundt cake, ensuring a deliciously moist bite every time.

This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a reminder that simple ingredients can come together to create something memorable. The balance of sweetness from the cake and the brightness from the orange juice make it a delightful choice for any season, but especially during the warmer months when citrus flavors shine.

Orange Juice Cake Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz box)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil (canola, vegetable, coconut, etc)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup orange juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your bundt pan by coating it with nonstick cooking spray and lightly flouring it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, orange juice, eggs, and oil. Use an electric mixer to blend everything together for about 2 minutes, until the batter is smooth.
3. Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

For the glaze:

1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, orange juice, and butter. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to boil.
2. Let the glaze boil for 2 minutes before removing it from the heat.
3. Pour the warm glaze over the cooled cake, ensuring it seeps into the cake’s crevices.

The final result is a cake that is bursting with citrus flavor, yet still rich and buttery from the glaze. It’s perfect for gatherings, or even as a bright and cheerful addition to your own dessert repertoire.

Final Thoughts: Orange Juice Cake is the ultimate dessert for those who crave something sweet but with a zesty, refreshing twist. It’s an easy recipe that will impress guests with its moist texture and bright flavor. The combination of boxed cake mix and fresh ingredients makes this cake a perfect mix of convenience and homemade goodness. One bite, and you'll understand why it’s become such a beloved dessert.

Here are some excellent sources for your Orange Juice Cake recipe, along with similar cake inspirations and variations that include citrus flavors and bundt cakes:

1. Southern Living provides a recipe for an Orange Peel Pound Cake, which includes fresh orange juice and zest to bring out the vibrant citrus flavor, just like your orange juice cake. It’s a perfect example of how fresh ingredients can elevate a bundt cake, and it's paired with a light glaze to complement the flavor​Southern Living​Southern Living.
2. A collection of bundt cake recipes from Southern Living highlights several similar cakes, including options that rely on yellow cake mix and have added flavors like pistachio or banana, which are easily adaptable to your orange juice cake recipe​Southern Living​Southern Living.

These sources provide inspiration and additional tips for bundt cakes and citrus-infused desserts that would align perfectly with your recipe, particularly in terms of achieving the right balance of moisture and flavor through ingredients like orange juice and a buttery glaze.