Orange Crunch Cake

A yellow cake loaded with citrus flavor and with a crunch layer baked right in.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 773 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 3 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 1 (16 ounce) can prepared vanilla frosting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch pans. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, walnuts and butter. Divide mixture evenly between the prepared pans. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, water, orange juice and oil until blended. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the orange zest. Pour the mixture evenly over the crunch layer in the pans.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting. Frost (crunch side up) between layers, on top and sides. Arrange orange sections on top, then refrigerate.

Step 4

To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the vanilla frosting until light and fluffy, then mix in the whipped topping. Stir in the orange and lemon zest. Use frosting on completely cooled cake layers.