Jello Cake is a favorite at Oh Sweet Basil and this Orange Jello Cake is no different! It is easy to make and everyone will love the zesty orange flavor!

I have to confess, making cakes is not one of my favorite things to do. Like why do you need so many tools for one recipe?! All the spatulas, and scrapers, and turn table thingy, and so much butter! I will make them but honestly, dressing up a box cake mix is the way to go for quick and easy family dessert night!

A photo of a piece of orange jello cake on a small white plate with orange glaze on the top.

You all have loved our Lemon Jello Cake, so I know you’re going to devour this orange Jello cake. It is LOADED with bright and zesty orange flavor, and we are saving a bunch of time, steps, and equipment needed and using a box cake mix.

Trust me, you’ll never know the difference!

Ingredients Needed for Orange Jello Cake

Because we are keeping things simple with a box cake mix, our ingredient list is short and sweet (pun! ha!):

For the Cake

  • Orange or White Cake Mix 
  • Eggs
  • Water (should this even appear on ingredients lists? Thoughts?)
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Orange Jello Packet

For The Icing

  • Juice from 2 Oranges
  • Powdered Sugar

A photo of a piece of orange jello cake on a small white plate with another serving in the background and a fork in the foreground.

How to Make Orange Jello Cake

Here are the basic steps for making this delicious cake. For all the details, scroll down to the full recipe card.

  1. Prep: preheat oven, spray and flour baking dish
  2. Batter: add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix together, pour into prepared baking dish
    • Add the dry cake mix and the dry Jello powder
  3. Bake: 27-30 minutes at 350 degrees F
  4. Icing: combine the orange juice and powdered sugar, prick the finished cake all over with a fork and then pour the icing all over the top of the cake
    • If you want a little more substantial frosting on this cake, head to our Frosted Lemon Jello Cake post and follow the instructions there using orange frosting.

PRO TIP: You have to use regular Jello, no sugar-free or alternative.

Can I Add Dry Jello to a Cake Mix?

Yes! This recipe calls for you to mix the cake mix, dry jello mix, and a couple other ingredients together. This combination gives you a light and tender cake but packed with so much orange flavor goodness!

This is not a poke cake where you poke holes all over a cake and then pour the prepared liquid Jello all over it. For this recipe you will just use the dry Jello powder.

A photo of a piece of orange jello cake on a small white plate.

Does Jello Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?

Jello cake should be refrigerated because Jell-o needs to be refrigerated to keep its consistency and it just tastes better when it is chilled. This cake can be kept for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Can Cake Be Frozen?

Cake should be covered with plastic wrap and foil before freezing, and can be frozen for 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

A closeup photo of a piece of orange jello cake on a small white plate.

Why Does Cake Fall In The Middle?

Over beating the batter or too much moisture in the cake batter will cause a cake to fall in the middle.

Opening the oven door to check on a cake before the baking time is up, could also cause the cake to fall.

 

Moist, tender, simple with the bright flavor of orange in every bite, this Orange Jello Cake is going to be a hit at your next family gathering and is perfect for any season.

More Orange Desserts and Cakes You Will Love!

Orange Jello Cake

3.44 from 173 votes
Servings: 16
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes

Description

Jello cake is light, moist and perfect for summer.

Ingredients 

Cake

  • 1 Box Cake Mix, Orange or white cake mix, regular size,
  • 4 Eggs, large
  • 1 1/3 Cups Water
  • 2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Package Orange Jello, (small box — 3 oz)*

Icing

  • 2 Oranges, Juiced
  • 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Instructions

For The Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and sprinkle with flour.
  • Tip and tap the edges of the cake pan to coat it with flour.
  • In the bowl of a mixer, mix the cake mix, eggs, water, oil and jello together.
  • Pour into the greased and floured pan.
  • Bake for 27-30 minutes. While the cake is in the oven, prep the icing (see Notes below).
  • When cake is done, prick with a fork while still hot.
  • Immediately pour orange icing over top.

For The Icing

  • In a small bowl, mix the orange juice and powdered sugar until smooth.

Notes

*Note that you must use regular Jello (i.e. not sugar-free or another alternative).
This cake can be kept for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 266mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 96IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 500+ Best Dessert Recipes
Cuisine: American

A photo of a piece of orange jello cake on a small white plate with orange glaze on the top.

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