This Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Cake is light, tangy and tastes just like an orange creamsicle! It’s been a long time in the making and I’m so excited to share it with you!
Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Cake
I have always been a big fan of the classic orange creamsicle pop. That combination of orange and ice cream is just heavenly. It is and always will be a favorite. Probably in part because it reminds me of being a kid.
I’ve been wanting to make an ice cream cake version of the pop for the longest time. I actually have an ongoing list of things I want to make but haven’t quite figured out how I want to do them yet. This cake was on that list for a while.
I finally decided to go for it!
I used my favorite vanilla cupcake recipe, cut in half, to make the layer of vanilla cake. It’s a great, easy, moist cake.
For the orange flavor of the cake, I used a box of orange gelatin powder. To add some orange flavor to the cake layer, I used a method similar to one you’d use on a poke cake. Once the cake cooled, I removed the dome, poked holes in the top of the cake and poured some of the orange gelatin over the cake.
It adds just enough flavor the vanilla cake and also makes it look pretty neat. 🙂
The cake is topped with a layer of vanilla ice cream and orange ice cream. The orange ice cream is again flavored with orange gelatin.
Tips for Making This Creamy Cake
I used my favorite ice cream base. The base is made with cream cheese and cool whip (you could also use homemade whipped cream). I’m often asked if it tastes like cream cheese and it really doesn’t. People are usually surprised that it isn’t store bought ice cream when they have it. It’s got a great, creamy consistency and is just like eating traditional ice cream – if not better. Plus, it doesn’t melt as easily. Bonus!
To ice the cake, I colored additional Cool Whip with icing color to match the orange ice cream. To finish it off, a little piping around the edges and some orange candy slices. Cuteness!
This cake was a big hit and I love it! Just like eating a creamsicle, smooth, creamy and so fun. It’s a great summer recipe that’s sure to be loved by all.
More Orange Dessert Recipes
Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Cake
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Ingredients
Cake Layer
- 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 6 tbsp salted butter (room temperature, I use Challenge Butter)
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tbsp hot water
- 3 tbsp orange JELLO powder*
Ice Cream Layers
- 12 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 12 oz Cool Whip
- 1 package (3 oz) orange JELLO powder (less 3 tbsp previously used in cake batter*)
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- Orange candy slices
- Orange gel icing color
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
- Whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- 3. Add butter, egg whites, vanilla, sour cream and milk and mix on medium speed just until smooth. Do not over mix.
- Spread batter evenly into cake pan.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
- Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Once cake has cooled, remove dome from cake with a large serrated knife. Poke holes in the top of the cake with something like the end of a wooden spoon, or a straw.
- Combine hot water and 3 tbsp orange JELLO in a small bowl, then spoon mixture over the cake and spread it so that it goes into the holes.
Ice Cream
- To make the ice cream layers, beat the cream cheese and sugar in a mixer bowl until smooth.
- Add milk and mix until smooth.
- Fold in Cool Whip.
- Divide mixture evenly between two bowls.
- Combine hot water and remainder of orange JELLO powder in a small bowl. Fold into one of the bowls with half of the ice cream mixture.
- Add vanilla extract to the other half of the ice cream mixture.
Assembly
- Line the sides of an 8-inch springform pan** with parchment paper. The parchment paper should stick up above the top edge of the pan, since the cake will probably be a little taller than your pan. If you want, put a cardboard cake circle in the bottom of the pan. If not using a springform pan, you pan put some plastic wrap in the bottom of the pan and up the sides and use it to lift the cake out of the pan when it’s done.NOTE: You should be using the same 8-inch pan you used for the cake. Not all 8-inch pans are exactly the same size. Your cake needs to fit in this pan.
- Put the cake layer into the bottom of your pan.
- The top cake with the vanilla ice cream and spread into an even layer.
- Add the orange ice cream and spread into an even layer.
- Allow ice cream cake to freeze completely, 6-8 hours.
- When frozen, remove from springform pan and remove parchment paper from sides.
- To finish off the cake, ice the outside with additional Cool Whip. You can use gel icing color to make it orange, if you prefer. Pipe additional Cool Whip around the top edges and top with orange candy slices.
- Freeze until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
What a great idea!! Where I live Jello is really hard to come by. I don’t have any orange but I do have a box of cherry flavor that I’m going to try with this recipe this weekend. I’m sure it’ll be fantastic!
Oh my gosh, this is just what I have been looking for…orange is my favorite dessert flavor and creamsicles were always a favorite as a kid.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful looking dessert.
That looks awesome! I ought to make an ice cream cake like this sometime this summer, they look so fun 🙂
What a cute dessert! This would be perfect for a kids party or for a summer barbecue! So pretty!
I’ve never seen a more perfect looking slice of cake! The layers are perfection!
What a beautiful cake! Love all the layers!
Seriously beautiful cake Lindsay! I’m in love with those perfect layers! I’ve never had an orange creamiscle before but I can tell I would love them!
Thanks Jessica!
What a fun an creative cake!
This looks so good and I can’t wait to make it but I have a question, I only have a 9inch springform pan, Would this work?
You would definitely end up with thinner layers and a cake that isn’t as tall, but otherwise it should be fine.
Lindsay, this cake is beautiful, and it reminds me of when I was a kid! Orange creamsicle pops were always a favorite treat of mine. What clever inspiration for a cake!
Thanks Joan! It reminds me of being a kid too. 🙂
Is this regular jello or sugar free?
I believe I used regular Jello.
creamsicles are my FAVORITE, and this is a brilliant and beautiful way to reinvent them!
Wow this sounds so good! It is beautiful to look at.
After making your other ice cream cakes for Easter (I made three!! The cookie dough, chocolate fudge, and strawberry) I need to put it on my bucket list to just make the rest! This one looks delicious! We loved the cream cheese cool whip ice cream. Mmmm.
That’s so awesome! I’m so glad you like the ice cream cakes – they are some of my favorites to make as well. 🙂 Thanks Katelyn!
8″ depth pan?
The pan I use for the cake in 8 inches in diameter, not depth. It’s 3 inches in height.
You’re cakes are always the best. Love this ice cream cake! Orange creamsicles were always a favorite childhood treat.
Orangsicle is the very best ever! It reminds me of being a kid again. I am so in love with this cake and its fun colors!
Lindsay, you are a genius 🙂
So, of course, this is completely gorgeous.
Have I mentioned that the orange gumdrops on top make me want to be 10 again?
Amazing cake idea!