Orange Crunch Cake  
   
Cake Frosting
 

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup orange juice

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

2 tablespoons grated orange zest

1 (16 ounce) can prepared vanilla frosting*

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

3 tablespoons grated orange zest

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

 

     
  Directions    
 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

5 Frost (crunch side up) between layers, on top and sides. Arrange orange sections on top, then refrigerate.

   

*Your favorite buttercream frosting can be substituted for the can of prepared vanilla icing.