Orange Crush Pound Cake

I have a bit of a “crush” on this Orange Crush pound cake. 

What’s not to love? The cake is so tender, and the orange flavor is amazing. But let’s not forget about that lovely orange cream cheese frosting!

It’s perfectly sweet, easy to whip together in a flash, and it’s something the whole family will devour. 

So, go grab some Orange Crush, and let’s make this delicious Orange Crush pound cake!

Orange Crush Pound Cake

Adding soda to cakes isn’t a new thing. You’ve probably heard of Coca-Cola cake and 7-Up cake.

This pound cake tastes nothing like them, but it’s 150% delicious.

The combination of orange soda and vanilla makes this cake outrageously addictive! That orange hue makes it look extra special, too.

It even has a smooth cream cheese frosting, making it even more irresistible. 

Ingredients

If you have the orange soda on hand, the rest is just pantry staples. Here’s everything you need for a fragrant Orange Crush pound cake. 

• Shortening and margarine. These fats give richness to the cake. You can also use butter and canola oil instead.

• Granulated sugar. For sweetness.

• Eggs. They bind the ingredients together, giving your batter structure.

• Flour. For this cake, all-purpose flour works just fine. 

• Orange soda. The cake’s primary source of flavor and color! Naturally, this recipe calls for Orange Crush, but you’re free to use your favorite orange-flavored soda.

• Orange flavoring. This is an orange-flavored cake, after all. You can also add lemon zest for a bolder flavor.

• Vanilla extract. A true flavor enhancer. It gives the frosting a much deeper flavor.

• Cream cheese. The tart and creamy component that balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Powdered sugar. To sweeten the frosting. Together with margarine and cream cheese, it creates a smooth mixture that’s easy to pipe and spread.

Tips for the Best Cake

There are still a few things to keep in mind before you fire up those ovens. Follow these quick tips for surefire success the first time around!

• Use room temperature ingredients. This will make the ingredients incorporate with each other easily. Set the butter, eggs, and cream cheese out for at least 30 minutes. 

• Beat everything well.  This cake doesn’t use baking powder or baking soda to make the batter rise. It relies solely on the air pockets created while beating the ingredients together to lift it. In short – do not rush this step!

• Use boxed cake mix. In a rush to make this pound cake? Skip a few steps and use a boxed cake mix instead. It’s effortless but still gives you a flavorful dessert. 

• Dial up the orange flavor. Make your pound cake even more orange-y by adding orange zest to the batter and the frosting.

• Prevent messes. Opting for the right size pan is so important! Use a large, 10-cup capacity tube pan to bake the cake in. Any smaller and the batter will overflow. 

• Grease the pan well. This pound cake just loves sticking to the pan. Grease it well, and give it a dusting with flour for good measure. Because nothing’s worse than a perfectly baked cake that you can’t take out of the pan!

Frosting Options

You’ll use orange cream cheese frosting in this recipe, but there are lots of others to choose from. Here are some ideas:

• American buttercream. This classic frosting is a simple combination of butter and powdered sugar. You can infuse it with juices and extracts such as lemon and vanilla to add flavor.

• Premade frosting. Not in the mood to make frosting? Use pre-made frosting instead! Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, and Betty Crocker frosting are all great brand options.

• Add more color. For a prettier cake that suits the theme of your celebration, use gel coloring to color your frosting. You can even use a piping bag and a bunch of piping tips to decorate your cake. Just be sure to let the cake cool completely when you do.

• Skip the frosting. If you’re not a fan of frosting, that’s okay! Orange Crush pound cake also tastes great even with just a dusting of powdered sugar. A dollop of whipped cream works, too! 

• Add extra crunch. For extra crunch and texture, top the cake with toasted coconut or shaved chocolate. 

How to Keep Pound Cake Fresh

Another thing I love about this pound cake is that it tastes even better the longer it sits. As long as you store it properly, that is.

Here are some tips to ensure your cake stays perfectly moist. 

• To store. Tightly wrap the cake with plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature. It will stay tender and moist for up to a week.

• To freeze. Slice it into individual portions and tightly wrap each in plastic wrap. Place them in freezer-safe bags, seal, label, and freeze. Frozen pound cake keeps well for up to 3 months. 

• To reheat. To thaw, transfer the cake to the fridge or on the countertop until soft. Reheat it in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds on low power.