I have one more Easter dessert to show you all today, and then I think I need to step away from the baking aisle for a little bit. This is a good one, though, even though it contains absolutely no chocolate or cinnamon, which is kind of hard to believe. I love the orange and vanilla flavor combination of Creamsicles, so when I saw a box of Creamsicle cake mix in the store, I knew I had to try it. Well, at first I resisted, but the kids were with me, and they convinced me to give in. And, since the Peeps were in the same aisle, I decided to bake an Orange Creamsicle Peeps Cake.
Creamsicles remind me of summer, and the thought of the relaxed days of summer makes me feel happy and warm and fuzzy inside. So maybe that's an odd way to put it, but by the time spring break rolls around, I start to look forward to a longer break from our hectic schedule during the school year.
Anyway, this is an easy dessert to make, and it really tastes a lot like a Creamsicle. It was actually supposed to be a poke cake, but you really can't see the the poke part, although you can definitely taste it! If you leave the Peeps off, the cake goes from an Easter dessert to a dessert that's perfect to enjoy throughout spring and summer.
How to Make an Orange Creamsicle Peeps Cake
Recipe
Orange Creamsicle Peeps Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box of Creamsicle cake mix
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1 3.4- oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup water plus extra water if necessary
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can of Orange Creamsicle frosting
- 1 8- oz container of Cool Whip or whipped topping
- Orange Peeps and mandarins for garnish
Instructions
- Follow the directions on the cake mix box to make the cake. I substituted melted butter in place of the oil that the box called for.
- Bake cake and allow to cool.
- Mix the vanilla pudding mix and the orange juice and water together, and add the vanilla plus some extra water if necessary to thin the mixture out enough so that it's thin enough to pour easily.
- Poke holes in the cake with a large straw, and pour the pudding mixture all over the top of the cake.
- Allow to cool in the refrigerator before frosting.
- Mix the Cool Whip and the frosting together until combined, and spread evenly over the cake.
- Garnish with Peeps and some orange slices, and enjoy!
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
You could also just use regular vanilla pudding mix for the poke part, or you can skip this step completely and make a regular cake. I liked how the orange and vanilla pudding mix brought out the Creamsicle flavor, though, and so did the Hubby. The kids liked it, but they weren't thrilled about adding the little mandarin slices, so you could easily leave those out, as well.
But I thought that the oranges made a nice little nest for the Peep. She looks happier in a nest!
Stacy says
it looks delicious, but are you supposed to actually make the pudding or just use the pudding powder?
Dee says
Hi Stacy. You make the pudding from the mix, using the orange juice, and then you pour it over the cake so that it gets into the holes.
Dee M says
I don't know anyone who doesn't like Peeps! 🙂
Steph @ Three Loud Kids! says
This is too cute! I bet its delicious as well.
Miz Helen says
Your Orange Creamsicle Pepps Cake looks great, I would love a slice right now! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a fantastic weekend!
Miz Helen
Leslie says
Yum! Aww, I'm loving everything that has been made with little peeps!
Ash and Crafts says
This looks so yummy and moist! I love dreamsicles! I am pinning this to try later!
Dee M says
I hope so -- It's so good! 🙂
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I have to see if this mix is in my local grocery store! 🙂
Dee M says
Thanks! My kids just gobbled it up, and we only have a few slice left! 🙂
Dee M says
Yea, thanks so much, Jenny! 🙂
Dee M says
Thanks, Lori. Everything was in the same aisle -- it's like they want you to buy it all, ha ha. 🙂
Dee M says
That's so very sweet of you, Beverly. I found the cake mix with the Easter stuff at Target.
Beverly Roderick says
You make such eye catching desserts, Dee! This looks almost too good to eat! I don't recall seeing a Creamsicle cake mix. I'm going to be looking for it now thought! The mandarins are a nice addition and the peeps are too cute sitting on top.
Diana Hansen says
Looks great!
Lori Leigh says
You and your poke desserts are the best Dee! Because of you, I made a strawberry one for Valentine's Day...took pictures, but have yet to post about it. I love orange creamsicles!! How creative to use peeps.
Lori
Jenny Melrose says
This sounds absolutely amazing! Mind blown! Pinned and sharing on FB!