Orange Crush Cake
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My Orange Crush Cake is a retro-inspired dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. With a soft, soda-infused crumb and a sweet orange glaze, it’s the kind of cake that I bring to church potlucks, summer cookouts, and my grandma’s kitchen table. Let’s dive into why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your dessert rotation.
If you like fruity cake recipes, try my Pineapple Angel Food Cake and my Peach Cobbler Cake. They are sweet, easy and delicious.
Why this Orange Crush Cake Recipe Works
Everyone loves this orange soda cake. It brings a sunny smile to their faces every time I make it. You will love to make this flavorful moist cake for your next family gathering.
- Nostalgic Flavor: That unmistakable orange soda taste brings back childhood memories in every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy extracts or hard-to-find items—just pantry staples and a bottle of Orange Crush.
- One-bowl Batter: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My madarin orange cake is sweet, moist, and eye-catching—perfect for birthdays, brunches, or just because.
Can I use a Different Soda for this Orange Cake Recipe ?
Yes! While Orange Crush gives the cake its signature flavor, you can swap in other citrus sodas like Sunkist, Fanta, or even Mountain Dew. Just keep the carbonation and sweetness level similar for best results.
Pro Tip for the Sheet Cake
Use a whisk or a hand mixer on low speed and mix only until there are no visible streaks of dry cake mix left. The batter will look foamy, and that’s good!
Ingredient Notes to Make Orange Crush Cake
I love this cake because it takes only two simple ingredients and the frosting takes only minutes to make.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Orange Crush Soda: Adds bright orange flavor and lift, no eggs or oil needed. Use Sunkist or whatever variety you like.
- White Cake Mix: A soft, neutral base that lets the soda shine.
Variations and Substitutions for Orange Crush Soda Pop Cake
There are many ways to enhance this easy cake recipe. Add orange color with food coloring to the cake if you like. I have made this cake with several different cake mixes and sodas. You can use a variety of different cake pans too.
- Soda: I used orange crush but you can use sunkist or fanta for different orange flavored soda. Or try using Strawberry, grape or other fun soda varieties.
- Flavor Boosters Add Orange Zest: Add fresh orange zest to the batter for natural brightness. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract for a bakery-style finish. Fold in mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks for texture.
- Frosting: You canmake a cream cheese frosting or even add a little orange food coloring and orange extract for the frosting. You can use cool whip or whip topping for a lighter version of this delicious cake.
- Cake Mix: You can use yellow cake mix, french vanilla cake mix and orange soda for the cake batter. Add food coloring to the cake mix for a fun color.
How to Make Orange Soda Cake
Just a box of cake mix and a can of soda and you have a moist and delicious orange cake. This easy cake mix recipe is light and fluffy and so delicious for a basic cake recipe. This is a light and fluffy cake, not heavy like a pound cake.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep & Mix the Cold Orange Soda: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×11″ casserole dish. In a large bowl, beat together white cake mix and 1 cup Sunkist for 2 minutes to make the cake mix batter.
- Bake & Cool: Pour batter into the dish and bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- Make Frosting: Simmer 1 cup Sunkist until reduced to 2 oz; cool. With an electric mixer, beat butter and powdered sugar for 2 minutes, then mix in reduced soda. Add milk as needed for texture and orange food dye if desired.Adjust the dye for a pale orange color to a deep orange.
- Frost & Finish: Spread frosting on cooled cake using short strokes for texture. Garnish with sprinkles and orange slices.
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Make Orange Crush Soda Pop Cake
This super easy to make recipe only takes minutes but here are a few things you can do to make this orange cake ahead of time.
- Make the Cake a Day Ahead: It actually tastes better once the glaze sets overnight.
- Freeze Unfrosted Cake: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Orange Creamsicle Bundt Cake
You can make a beautiful bundt cake with this recipe or even create a poke cake with vanilla pudding or orange jell-O if you like.
- Cupcakes: Bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes. Great for parties or portion control.
- Mini Loaves: Adjust bake time to 25–30 minutes. Perfect for gifting.
- Slow Cooker: Line with parchment and cook on high for 2–3 hours. Texture will be softer, more pudding-like.
Store and Use Leftover Orange Crush Soda Cake
This recipe for orange cake is such a crowd pleaser, I doubt you will have leftovers, but if you do, try the following:
- Store: Store leftovers covered at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5.
- Use leftovers: Cube and layer into a citrus trifle with whipped cream and mandarin oranges.
Common Questions About This Orange Sunkist Cake Recipe
Avoid over-mixing the batter (which releases the carbonation and makes it dense), make sure to cook it all the way through (a wet center will be gummy), and consider baking as cupcakes or a sheet cake (9×13), as they hold their structure better than a loaf or Bundt pan
Yes, most people use diet or zero-sugar orange soda to cut down on calories, as the soda replaces the high-calorie oil and eggs. The carbonation is what matters, not the sugar content for this easy cake to make.
Expert Tips for Making Cake Mix and Soda Cake
I love to decorate this cake with mandarin orange slices but I have also used candy orange slices for the kids.
- Room temp ingredients: Ensures even mixing and better rise.
- Don’t overmix: Stir until just combined to keep the crumb tender.
- Use Full-Sugar Soda: Diet versions can alter texture and flavor.
- Glaze While Warm: Pouring glaze over a warm cake helps it soak in and set beautifully.
- Add Zest: A little orange zest in the batter or glaze brightens the flavor naturally
- More Cakes you Might Like: Cherry Almond Cake, or my Christmas Poke Cake.
More Recipes You Might Like
Easy Orange Crush Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 355 mL Sunkist Soda
- 15.25 Ounce White Cake Mix
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup Sunkist, or use 1 teaspoon Orange flavor extract
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- 4 cups Powdered Icing Sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons Milk
- Orange Sprinkles, as desired
- 9-12 Orange Slices, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease a 9″ x 11″ casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the white cake mix and Sunkist for 2 minutes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Meanwhile, place 1 cup of Sunkist in a saucepan and heat until boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer until reduce to 1/4 (2 oz of soda should remain). Allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2 minutes, then add the reduced Sunkist soda. Beat to incorporate, then add the milk as needed to achieve a spreadable texture. Adjust the color with orange food dye, if desired.
- Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
- To achieve the fun texture shown in the pictures, use short strokes to spread the frosting, then go back over the frosted cake and rough it up a bit.
- Garnish the cake with sprinkles and orange slices, as desired.
Christina’s Notes
- Use a Full-Sugar Soda: While diet sodas can work, the sugar in the regular Orange Crush soda contributes to a richer flavor, better browning, and a slightly moister texture.
- Stick to the Ratio: The general rule for a standard 15-16 oz box of cake mix is one 12-ounce can of soda. Don’t add more liquid, even if the batter seems a little thick—it’s supposed to be!
- Mix Just Until Combined: Use a hand mixer or whisk and mix the cake mix and soda just until there are no dry streaks of cake mix left. Do not overmix. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the cake tougher, which is especially noticeable in this simple recipe.
- Expect Fizz: The carbonation will react with the cake mix, and the batter will foam and fizz. This is exactly what you want!
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
