Orange Creamsicle Cake (Bright, Dreamy & Easy!)

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Ohhh my gosh, friend — if you love anything orange‑vanilla, you’re about to fall head‑over‑spatula for this Orange Creamsicle Cake. It’s bright, fluffy, and tastes exactly like those dreamy creamsicle bars we used to chase down the ice‑cream truck for… but in full, gorgeous layer‑cake form. We’re talking soft citrus‑kissed cake, a silky mousse filling that feels like sunshine, and the creamiest orange‑vanilla frosting that just melts into every bite. It’s nostalgic, it’s cozy, it’s summery, and it’s one of those desserts that makes people close their eyes on the first forkful. I get way too excited about this one — but you’ll see why.

More creamsicle?  You’ll love these Creamsicle Cake Bars and these Orange Creamsicle Jello Shots!

Why You’ll Love This Orange Creamsicle Cake

• It’s a bright, citrusy, sunshine‑in-a-slice cake that still feels cozy and homemade.
• The orange‑vanilla combo is pure creamsicle nostalgia — but elevated.
• Uses a boosted cake mix, so it’s easy but tastes bakery‑level.
• The mousse filling is silky, creamy, and ridiculously good.
• Perfect for spring, summer, birthdays, showers, cookouts, or anytime you want a dessert that makes people smile.
• It’s a total showstopper without being fussy.

Why This Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe Is So Easy (and SO Fun) to Make!

Listen… I love a fancy layer cake moment, but sometimes we just need something bright, nostalgic, and ridiculously easy — and this Orange Dreamsicle Cake is that girl. We start with a boxed orange cake mix (because we’re smart, not stressed), then boost it with vanilla pudding, milk, oil, eggs, and fresh orange zest. It’s like giving the cake mix a glow‑up.

And the best part? The steps are super simple. Mix, bake, whip the mousse, stack, swirl the frosting — boom. You’ve got a citrusy, creamy, sunshine‑in-a-slice cake that tastes like summer vacation and childhood ice‑cream trucks had a baby.

I’ll walk you through everything: the ingredients, the baking tips, the mousse magic, and how to make it look like you bought it from a bakery. Your family and friends will lose their minds over this one — trust me, it’s a crowd‑pleaser.

If you’re in a homemade cake mood, you might also fall in love with my  Best Angel Food Cake, this Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake, this Magnolia Bakery’s Coconut Layer Cake or this Super-Moist Chocolate Cake.

Ingredients for Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe

Orange Dreamsicle Cake Mix Cake

• Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix — the citrus queen of boxed mixes; it bakes up fluffy and bright.
• Instant vanilla pudding — adds moisture and that dreamy creamsicle richness.
• Canola oil — keeps the cake tender and soft.
• Milk of choice — whole milk gives the fluffiest crumb, but any milk works.
• Eggs — room temp helps everything mix smoothly.
• Orange zest — fresh zest = real citrus flavor. Don’t skip it; it makes the cake pop.

Orange Cream Mousse Filling

• Instant vanilla pudding — our creamy base.
• Heavy whipping cream — whips into a silky, cloud‑like mousse.
• Orange curd (or 1 teaspoon orange extract or vanilla) — curd gives a creamy citrus punch; extract gives a bold orange flavor; vanilla keeps it soft and dreamy. Choose your vibe!

Ingredients for Orange Vanilla Cream Frosting

• Unsalted butter — room temp so it whips up fluffy and smooth.
• Confectioners’ sugar — sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• Orange juice — brings that fresh citrus brightness.
• Vanilla extract — ties the creamsicle flavor together.
• Heavy cream or milk — for adjusting the frosting to your perfect creamy consistency.
• Optional: A touch of orange gel color for those pretty creamsicle swirls on top.

How to Make Our Dreamy Layered Orange Creamsicle Cake Recipe

Orange Dreamsicle Cake Using Orange Cake Mix

Alright! Let’s make some citrus magic.

1. Prep your pans. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray two 8‑ or 9‑inch round cake pans with nonstick spray or Baker’s Joy. If you want the easiest cake release ever, add parchment circles to the bottoms. Set those beauties aside.
2. Mix the cake batter. In a large bowl, grab your mixer and beat together the cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, oil, milk, orange zest, and eggs. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes — the batter will get thick, creamy, and smell like pure sunshine.
3. Fill the pans. Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Give each pan a gentle tap on the counter to pop any sneaky air bubbles.
4. Bake. Bake for 30–45 minutes, depending on your pan size. You’re looking for a toothpick that comes out clean or with moist crumbs — not wet batter. Let the cakes cool completely before filling and frosting.
5. Make your filling and frosting while the cakes cool. This is your “sip something and enjoy the citrus aroma” moment.

Orange Cream Mousse Filling

This filling is silky, dreamy, and honestly tastes like a creamsicle cloud.

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the instant vanilla pudding, heavy whipping cream, and orange curd (or orange extract/vanilla — choose your flavor adventure!). Mix until it becomes thick, fluffy, and mousse‑like.
2. If it gets too thick, add a splash of cream until it’s smooth and spreadable. Keep this filling chilled until you’re ready to assemble.

Orange Vanilla Cream Frosting

1. This frosting is the creamy, citrusy ribbon that ties the whole cake together.
2. Beat the butter until it’s soft and creamy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, orange juice (or extract), vanilla, and cream/milk. Start on low so you don’t get a sugar cloud, then increase to medium‑high until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and irresistible.
3. If it’s too thin → add a little more powdered sugar. Too thick → add a splash of cream or milk.
4. Want those cute creamsicle‑orange swirls on top? Tint a portion of the frosting with orange gel color, pop it into a piping bag with a large star tip, and swirl away.
5. Top with orange slices, mandarin segments, or sprinkles for that extra pop of color and personality.

How to Assemble Your Dreamy Orange Creamsicle Cake

This is the fun part — stacking everything into that gorgeous, citrusy, creamsicle‑layered masterpiece.

1. Start with your first cake layer. Place one orange cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Give it a little pat like, “Hey girl, you’re doing great.”
2. Pipe a frosting dam. Using a piping bag (or a zip‑top bag with the corner snipped), pipe a ring of the orange vanilla cream frosting about ½ inch from the edge. This keeps the mousse filling from escaping — we love a tidy queen.
3. Add the dreamy mousse filling. Spoon the orange cream mousse inside the frosting dam and spread it gently to the edges.
4. Add the second cake layer. Place the next cake layer on top and press lightly so everything settles into place.
5. Decorate! Frost the top, add orange‑tinted swirls, or go wild with:

• fresh orange slices
• mandarin segments
• candy orange slices
• orange sprinkles
• or a mix for that fun creamsicle pop

Quick Variations

• Strawberry Creamsicle — swap orange curd for strawberry puree or pudding.
• Pineapple Orange — fold in ½ cup crushed pineapple for tropical vibes.
• Peach Creamsicle — add diced peaches or peach extract to the mousse.
• Chocolate‑Dipped Orange — add a thin chocolate ganache layer or drizzle on top.
• Lemon‑Orange Sunshine — mix lemon zest with the orange zest for extra brightness.
• Coconut Creamsicle — add shredded coconut to the mousse or frosting.
• Sheet Cake Version — bake in a 9×13, spread mousse + frosting on top.
• No‑Bake Icebox Cake — layer graham crackers, mousse, and frosting; chill overnight.

Quick Substitutions

• Cake Mix: white or vanilla mix + 1 tsp orange extract or see my cake mix hacks for more ideas.
• Oil: melted butter or coconut oil.
• Milk: any milk or even orange juice for extra citrus.
• Orange Curd: orange extract, vanilla, or lemon curd.
• Heavy Cream: Cool Whip or coconut cream.
• Butter: vegan butter or shortening (great for hot weather).
• Orange Gel Color: turmeric pinch or skip for natural ivory.

Storing & Freezing

• Room Temp or Fridge: Store your finished cake covered at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days. The mousse stays dreamy either way.
• Freezing (Best Method): Freeze the cake before filling and frosting for the cleanest layers. Wrapped well, the cake layers freeze beautifully for up to 1 month.

Pro Tips for the Best Orange Dreamsicle Cake

• Chill your mousse before assembling — it spreads like a dream.
• Freeze your orange vanilla cake layers for 20–30 minutes before stacking for cleaner edges.
• Use fresh orange zest — it makes the flavor pop.
• Add a touch of orange gel color to the frosting for that creamsicle glow.
• Don’t skip the frosting dam — it keeps everything neat and bakery‑level.
• Use a serrated knife to level cake tops if needed.
• Serve slightly chilled for the best mousse texture.

When to Serve This Cake

This orange Dreamsicle cake is a total show‑off at:

• summer cookouts
• spring holidays
• baby showers
• birthdays
• brunches
• pool parties
• “just because it’s Tuesday and I deserve something citrusy” moments

It’s bright, nostalgic, and crowd‑pleasing — people always go back for seconds.

FAQs 

• Can I use a different cake mix? Yes! A white or vanilla cake mix works — just add extra orange zest + 1 teasoiib orange extract.
• Can I make this orange vanilla cake ahead? Absolutely. Bake the layers a day ahead, wrap tightly, and assemble the next day.
• Can I use Cool Whip instead of whipped cream? Yep! It makes the mousse extra light and fluffy.
• Can I make this orange creamsicle cake recipe in a 9×13 pan? Totally. Bake 30–35 minutes, spread mousse on top, then frost. Easy sheet‑cake vibes.
• My frosting is too thin — help! Add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it thickens.
• My mousse is too thick — help! Add a splash of cream and mix again until silky.

We are loving this Orange Creamsicle Cake recipe for all the sunshiney good times coming our way this spring and summer. It’s bright, refreshing, and so ridiculously luscious that you’ll wonder why you ever settled for regular cake. This one’s an all‑in‑one treat — flavor, nostalgia, and total convenience wrapped up in every dreamy slice.

Serve it slightly chilled (trust me!) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch everyone melt right into it.

And if you’re craving even more summery dessert magic, don’t miss my 25 Slices of Summer Heavenly Desserts — it’s basically your warm‑weather dessert bucket list.

More Fruity Flavor Dessert Ideas!

• Double Chocolate Orange Cookies
• Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
• Lemon Sweet Rolls
• 25 Luscious Raspberry Desserts
• Orange Cream Glazed Pound Cakes
• Luscious Lemon Chiffon Pie
• Best Lemon Cheesecake
• 3 Ingredient Jello Cool Whip Pie – No Bake & Easy

Orange Creamsicle Cake

Kim Lange

This easy, yummy Orange Creamsicle Cake recipe is totally bursting with a delicious, dreamy combo of orange and vanilla cream flavors! 

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 12 Servings

Calories

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Orange Supreme Cake

• 1 box Duncan Hines Orange Supreme Cake Mix
• ½ cup canola oil or vegetable oil
• 1 & ½ cups milk of choice
• 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon orange zest

Orange Cream Mousse Filling

• 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon orange curd more if you wish (or you could also add in 1 teaspoon of orange extract or vanilla could be used depending on which way you want to flavor the filling.)

Orange Vanilla Cream Frosting

• 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter room temperature
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons orange juice or 1 & 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
• 6 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Optional: orange food gel or color for accent color for swirls on top.

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray (2) 8 or 9 inch cake pans with nonstick spray or Baker’s Joy. If desired, also line the bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper for easier removal. Set aside.

Orange Supreme Cake

• Using mixer, mix together the cake mix, instant pudding, oil, milk, orange zest and eggs for 3 minutes on medium speed.
• Pour cake batter evenly into prepared cake pans and then lightly tap pans on counter to pop any air bubbles in the batter.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes depending on size pans you are using or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Make frosting & filling while cakes are cooling.
• Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove the cakes from the cake pans and let cool completely on a baking rack.

Orange Cream Mousse Filling

• Use a mixer, beat the pudding mix, whipping cream and orange curd/orange extract together until until thick and fluffy. If mousse is too thick, mix in small amounts of heavy cream to reach desired consistency.
• Keep filling refrigerated and chilled before adding to cooled cakes.

Orange Vanilla Cream Frosting

• Using mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add confectioner's sugar, orange juice/orange extract, vanilla and cream/milk. If frosting is too thin, add a little more confectioner’s sugar and if it’s too thick, add a little more cream/milk.
• If you are adding extra frosting on swirls on the top, add some orange food color to tint your frosting and add colored frosting to piping bag with large star tip of choice and pipe swirls on top of cake.

Assembly

• Place one of orange cake layers on the pedestal or cake plate. Pipe a dam of the orange vanilla cream frosting about 1/2 inch from the edge of the cake layer using a piping bag or ziplok bag with hole snipped off one of the corners. Fill the center with the orange cream mousse filling and add the next layer of cake on top.
• Frost the cake with orange vanilla frosting. Add colored swirls of orange colored frosting on top if desired. Even add orange slices or sprinkles on top for a pop or orange color.

Notes

STORING & FREEZING

• You can easily store the orange cake covered at room temperature or refrigerated for up to three days.
• Freeze the orange cake before the frosting and filling for best results.
• Store for up to a month in the freezer.

Keyword cake, creamsicle, easter desserts, frosting, orange, spring desserts, summer desserts, vanilla

Tried This Recipe?Let us know how it was by commenting below!

• Orange Dreamsicle cake slightly modified from A Farmgirl’ Kitchen
• Orange Cream Filling slightly modified from My Cake School