You can call it whatever you want.
Why Happiness Cake?
Kind of fitting considering how crazy our world feels these days - we could all use a sprinkle of happiness any way we can get it. This recipe is actually a takeoff of the Harvey Wallbanger recipe which is very well known - difference with this recipe is that its hack- Cake mix to the rescue - and when it comes to baking, I’m always looking for a hack.
I hate to bake - it’s really one of my least favorite things to do because it requires exact measuring and focus versus how I typically operate in the kitchen. Yes, I do follow an occasional recipe when I cook , but most times I really like to wing it and I happen have a pretty good track record as far as making it up as I go.
Just to show how versatile you can get with something so easy….this time I decided to divide this batter into a smaller loaf pan with enough left to to make some adorable individual minis. They will serve so beautifully on my tiered server and the loaf makes for a great option when hosting a few friends or when the kids all come home for the weekend!
Happiness Cake
Cake:
1 Yellow cake mix
3/4 cup Orange juice
1 package Instant vanilla pudding (3oz)
1/4 cup Triple Sec liqueur (or any fruity flavor you have on hand, I’ve seen recipes that suggest Galliano liqueur)
1/2 cup Vodka
4 Eggs
1/2 Vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease bundt pan.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, vegetable oil, eggs, vodka, liqueur, and orange juice.
Mix until well blended.
Pour into the bundt pan.
I like to give it a few love taps once it’s poured into the pan just to bring all the air bubbles to thesurface.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes up clean. If you are using a heavy Bundt pan, especially if it’s the dark coated type, I would say to lower your oven just a little bit as those pans heat up very quickly and you want to give your cake just a little more time. If you’re using a disposable aluminum foil pan, leave it at 350. In either case I would probably check my cake a little bit earlier than the 40 minute mark.
Let the cake cool about 10 minutes before you flip it onto your server.
If you are having trouble getting it out of the Bundt pan, send me a quick message. I have a trick that could save you : )
As it’s cooling mix together the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle away!
If you don't want to glaze the cake, you can just give it a dusting with powdered sugar.
Glaze:
1 Cup powdered sugar
1 Tbl Orange Juice
1 Tbl liqueur
1tsp vanilla
If you would like a thicker consistency just add more powdered sugar. Prefer it more loose, add more liquid of your choice.
