• Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here
    • My Life
    • Press
    • Contact
    • LEGAL
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Big Daddy’s Dish
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • College Student Recipes
    • Desserts
      • Cobblers
      • Pound Cake Recipes Reviewed
    • Dressings & Sauces
    • Entree
      • Beef
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Poultry
    • Encore
    • Healthy
    • Recipe Collections
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • side dishes
    • Soup
    • Snacks
  • Resources
  • Extras
    • Crafts/DIY
    • Fit & Fab
    • Housekeeping
    • Travel
    • Local Eats
    • View My Instagram
    • Videos
  • Shop
    • SHOP MY FAVORITES
    • PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS
    • Amazon Favorites
    • Kitchen
    • Home + Candles
    • Shop Beauty Favs
    • Shop Gift Ideas
  • Recipe Box
  • Stay up to date. Subscribe to receive blog updates in your email inbox.

Call Me PMc

Cooking. Creating. Sharing

OMBRE CITRUS LAYER CAKE

Mar.posted by Paula 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This moist and melt-in-your-mouth tender Ombre Citrus Layer Cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!

Rainbow layers citrus cake

OMBRE CITRUS LAYER CAKE

The saying ‘we eat with our eyes first’ really is true. This cake could have the same flavors but all yellow and it wouldn’t be nearly as appealing. As well, the citrus slices on top give a hint of what’s inside even before it’s cut. 

Whenever you can garnish or make food prettier, do it. Don’t underestimate taking that small extra step to garnish.

This cake comes together with just a few simple ingredients. It makes a spectacular showpiece if you’re entertaining. It’s great for Easter, Mother’s Day, and Graduation Parties. However, don’t just reserve this cake for special occasions, it’ll turn any day into a sunny celebration!

Layer Cake

What is the texture of this cake?

The cake is tender and adding Jello makes it slightly dense while still maintaining a soft texture. 

Citrus Layered Cake ingredients

INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR CITRUS CAKE

  • Cake Mix.
  • Egg whites. From large eggs or equivalent.
  • Vegetable oil. You can also use canola oil.
  • Milk. 
  • Sour Cream. You can use buttermilk, plain yogurt, or plain Greek yogurt.
  • Vanilla pudding mix. (Don’t make the pudding, you’ll just use the mix. As well, you can omit the pudding, however, the cake may not be as moist.)
  • Lemon, lime, and orange Jello. Jello can be omitted completely and 1 tsp of each extract can be used instead. Food coloring would be highly advised if this substitution is made.
  • Powdered sugar.
  • Butter.
  • Pure Vanilla.
  • Salt. 

lemon cake

METHOD FOR MAKING CITRUS LAYER CAKE

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of three 9” cake pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray or Wilton cake release.

Add all of the cake ingredients to a large mixing bowl except for the Jello and food coloring. Whisk together until combined. Divide the batter into three separate bowls. Add the lime Jello to one bowl, lemon Jello to another bowl, and the orange Jello to the remaining bowl. Mix only until the jello is incorporated.

Pour the batter into each of the cake pans, keeping them separate.

Place the pans into the oven to bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and place them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Make the frosting. Add all of the frosting ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat together on high speed for 2 minutes or until smooth, fluffy, and lighter in color.

Once the cakes have cooled completely, remove the lime layer from the pan and place it onto a cake stand. Use an offset or rubber spatula to spread about ¾ cup frosting over the surface of the cake. Remove the orange layer from the pan and place it directly onto the top of the lime layer ensuring that all of the edges meet. Spread about ¾ cup frosting over the surface of the cake. Remove the lemon cake layer from the pan and place it directly on top of the orange layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake using the remaining frosting. 

yellow orange green cake layers

DON’T FORGET TO GARNISH!

For added visual interest and easy decorating, after the sides have been frosted, gently drag the offset spatula upwards on the side of the cake to make lines. Optionally, layer slices of fresh orange, lemon, and lime onto the top of the cake. Slice and serve.

lemon slices

TIPS FOR CITRUS CAKE SUCCESS

Do not overmix this cake batter as it will become stiff and tough with over mixing.

If the frosting is too thick, mix in 1-2 teaspoons of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency. If the frosting becomes too thin, add in 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix until you reach the desired consistency.

dessert citrus cake

 

Storage: Cake may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

 

 

While you’re here, check out these recipes

  1. Citrus Pound Cake
  2. Orange Creamsicle Pound Cake
  3. Scratch-made Orange Zest Pound Cake
  4. Sweet & Sour Citrus Salad
  5. Orange Bundt Cake
  6. Orange curd

CITRUS LAYER CAKE

This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!

OMBRE CITRUS LAYER CAKE

This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
Author: Paula
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate

Want to save recipes? Create an account or login & then you can use the “Save Recipe” button when viewing a recipe to save it to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.

Save To Your Recipe Box Go to your saved recipes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 2 boxes white cake mix
  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • 1 package vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 tablespoons lime jello
  • 3 tablespoons lemon jello
  • 3 tablespoons orange jello
  • Yellow & orange food coloring, optional

Frosting:

  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups butter at room temperature
  • 1 and ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of three 9” cake pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.
  • Add all of the cake ingredients except all of the jello and food coloring to a large mixing bowl.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Whisk together just until combined. Divide the batter into three separate bowls.
  • Add the lime jello to one bowl, lemon jello to another bowl, and orange jello to the remaining bowl. Mix only until the jello is fully incorporated. Both the lime and orange bowls will be colored. The lemon jello will not really color the cake batter.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • At this point, you can add a dot of yellow food coloring to the lemon bowl and orange food coloring to the orange bowl if you wish to intensify the colors. Mix only until the coloring has been incorporated and the batter is evenly colored.
    At this point, you can add a dot of yellow food coloring to the lemon bowl and orange food coloring to the orange bowl if you wish to intensify the colors. Mix only until the coloring has been incorporated and the batter is evenly colored. Pour the batter into each of the cake pans, keeping them separate.
  • Pour the batter into each of the cake pans, keeping them separate. Place the pans into the oven to bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Remove the cakes from the oven and place them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • When the cakes are almost cool, make the frosting. Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat together on high speed for 2 minutes or until smooth, fluffy, and lighter in color.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Once the cakes have cooled completely, remove the lime layer from the pan and place it onto a cake stand.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Use an offset or rubber spatula to spread about ¾ cup frosting over the surface of the cake.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Remove the orange layer from the pan and place it directly onto the top of the lime layer ensuring that all of the edges meet.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Spread about ¾ c frosting over the surface of the cake.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Remove the lemon cake layer from the pan and place it directly on top of the orange layer.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!
  • Frost the top and sides of the cake using the remaining frosting. For added visual interest and easy decorating, after the sides have been frosted, gently drag the offset spatula upwards on the side of the cake to make lines. Optionally, layer slices of fresh orange, lemon, and lime onto the top of the cake. Slice and serve.
    This cake is bursting with layers of bright summer citrus flavor. This cake mix cake tastes like a fancy bakery cake from the addition of sour cream, pudding, and Jello. Topped with luscious buttercream and lemon, lime, and orange slices, this Citrus Cake is perfect for spring!

Nutrition

Calories: 649kcal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 808mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 73g | Vitamin A: 751IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Please take a moment to comment letting me know how you liked it & consider giving it a 5 star rating. I love hearing from you!
Do you have questions about the saving recipes to your Recipe Box?Visit Recipe Box FAQ!

You can also find great recipes at Recipe Index or Weekend Potluck

Paula
« OVEN BAKED STUFFED FLANK STEAK
CHILE RELLENO ENCHILADAS CASSEROLE »

Comments

  1. Allyssa says

    03.04.22 at 5:45 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    Reply
  2. Tom Desimone says

    03.03.22 at 8:10 pm

    I generally love your recipes and have made many in the past but sadly, this page gets heavier and heavier with ads and pictures and so much stuff it’s frustrating. It takes forever to get to the recipe, even if I click on JUMP TO RECIPE there’s still so much clutter. Now the steps are interrupted by pictures of EACH step. We’re grown ups. We can follow a recipe without having to be shown each step. Please consider making it less time consuming and easer to follow without having to wade through so much clutter. Thank you

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.04.22 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you, Tom, for commenting. Your feedback is appreciated. I thought the photo steps would help. I’m not doing them on every recipe. There should not be more ads I’ll take a look at that too.

      Reply
  3. Donna says

    03.03.22 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars
    This cake is a stunner, and the step-by-step instructions make something that seems so hard so easy to put together!

    Reply
  4. Shelby says

    03.03.22 at 10:48 am

    5 stars
    Kids loved helping me make this one!

    Reply
  5. Merit Philips ~ Charles says

    03.03.22 at 10:20 am

    I can’t find or see the recipe? It looks delicious … And So It Is .. 👑

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.03.22 at 10:27 am

      Try it again. So sorry. Not sure what happened but it’s pulling the whole post now.

      Reply
  6. BEVERLY F STILTNER says

    03.03.22 at 10:09 am

    Where is the recipe for the Citrus cake?

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.03.22 at 10:22 am

      Try it again.

      Reply
  7. Relle says

    03.03.22 at 10:07 am

    This sounds delicious

    Reply
  8. Angela James says

    03.03.22 at 9:32 am

    Where’s the recipe?

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.03.22 at 10:22 am

      Refresh and it should show, I’m not sure what happened but I see it now

      Reply
  9. Ann King says

    03.03.22 at 9:28 am

    I can’t see the recipe, is it somewhere else in your webpages?

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.03.22 at 10:23 am

      Refresh your screen and it should be there. I’m not sure what happened, but I see it now.

      Reply
  10. Karen says

    03.03.22 at 9:28 am

    I would like the ingredients and recipe for this lovely looking cake. I would like to get the ingredients to make it soon. Thanks

    Reply
    • Paula says

      03.03.22 at 10:23 am

      Try it again, Not sure what happened but it’s there now

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will not be published. Have you tried this recipe? Consider giving it 5 stars!




The Big Pound Cake Review

60 pound cake recipes

Featured Categories

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • College Student Recipes

Search specific recipes

Search specific recipes

Archives

Salty Sweet Crockpot Candy

SALTY SWEET CROCKPOT CANDY

Chocolate Chip Snickers Cookies

THICK CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERS COOKIES

White Chocolate CrockPot Candy | Call Me PMc

WHITE CHOCOLATE CROCKPOT CANDY

chocolate bars

BEST FUDGY COCOA BROWNIES

Favorites

Chocolate Chip Snickers Cookies

THICK CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERS COOKIES

Mexican beef dinner

QUESABIRRIA STACK {Cheese Birrias Taco Stack}

Beef Birria Stack | Call Me PMc

BEEF BIRRIA STACK

roasted meal

ROASTED LEMON THYME CHICKEN AND ROOT VEGETABLES

Creamy Tuscan Italian Sausage Pasta

CREAMY TUSCAN ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA

Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken

KETO CHEESY BALSAMIC CHICKEN

Hi, I'm Paula. I'm a blogger, a baker, a runner, a writer, a recipe developer, & a cookie dough eater. I love creating great recipes & sharing them with you! You'll find healthy recipes, comfort food and my favorite, indulgent desserts!
read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • RSS

DISCLOSURE

Call Me PMc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases ad no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this small business.

Read my Privacy Policy.

COPYRIGHT

© 2012 – 2023 All recipes & images are original & the sole property of CallMePMc.com All Rights Reserved. All content is for your personal enjoyment & content herein is in no way to be used for commercial purposes. Other than linking to a page, do not copy or otherwise use images or original recipes without my written permission. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited. Use of this site automatically constitutes your agreement to these terms.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date. Subscribe to receive blog updates in your email inbox

  • Copyright © 2023 Call Me PMc. Design & Development by Melissa Rose Design