grandma's orange cake

a few weeks ago my family had a birthday party for my grandfather's 85th birthday.  my uncle hosted the party and as usual, i was in charge of dessert.  his email to me went like this:

O.K. you are my go to person for desert. There is a cake Grandma use to make. It is an Orange Glazed cake and it is awesome. Your job is to call Grandma and get the recipe and make it. As I recall it is a sheet cake with a glazed topping and you stick holes in it and pour O.J.

so here's what i ended up with:

start with a box of yellow cake mix and a box of instant vanilla pudding

add 1 cup cold orange juice...

1/2 cup vegetable oil...

4 eggs...

and 1 tsp orange zest

beat on medium speed for approx. 2 min

pour into a greased 9x13 in glass baking dish

bake at 350 for 30-35 min

meanwhile...

add 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup orange juice, and 1 tsp orange zest
to a saucepan and set over medium-high heat

stir gently as it melts

bring to a boil for 2 minutes

when the cake is still warm out of the oven, poke holes in it with a fork

slowly and evenly pour the liquid mixture over the cake

after the cake is completely cooled,
add some powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest to a small bowl

stir with a small whisk...

allow to sit and stiffen up for about 3 min

slowly pour over the cooled cake

use a spatula to gently spread the glaze (if needed)

take a moment to admire that beauty.
...but don't let any of your drool land on the cake.

and naturally, reward yourself by digging in.

grandma's orange cake.

ingredients

zest of 2 oranges, divided into 3 teaspoons (1 tsp for each step)*

   cake

1 box (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix

1 pkg (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup cold orange juice

*1 tsp orange zest

   syrup

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup orange juice

*1 tsp orange zest

   glaze

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar

4 tsp orange juice

*1 tsp orange zest

method

-preheat oven to 350.  lightly grease and flour (or use baking spray) a 9x13 inch baking dish.  add cake ingredients to a large bowl and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.  pour into prepared dish and bake for 30-35 min.

-combine syrup ingredients in a saucepan.  stir mixture as it melts, and boil undisturbed for 2 minutes.

-while the cake is still warm, poke holes in the top of it with a fork.  pour syrup slowly and evenly over the cake.  allow to cool completely.

-when the cake is completely cool, stir glaze ingredients in a small bowl and allow to stiffen for 3-4 minutes.  pour evenly over cake.  if needed, use a rubber spatula to spread over any empty spaces.

-can be served immediately or stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.

this is probably the best cake. ever.

go forth!

p.s. also works great to bribe the front desk guy at the gym into letting me in for free.