Orange Cake requested by the Birthday Guy

This evening is about the first chance I've had to cook this birthday cake, requested specifically by Body Guard. His birthday was Thursday and he wanted me to make an Orange Cake but I couldn't that day so............

This is the first time I cooked an Orange Cake so I got help from Duncan Hines for the base of the cake and then played with other stuff in the pantry to make it look PURDY and taste GOOOOOOOOD!

This slice started with the basic Orange cake mix.

from the Dutch oven

I changed up the box additives, less water a bit, and more oil so it would not be dry.

The layers turned out well.

While they were cooking, I got out some PEECANS and put in a bag to crush them with the end of a very old knife sharpener, which looks like a weapon but it's not.  ;)

Cheaper to buy the halves and crush at home and it's also a great stress management option for me. 

Then, I took a bowl and put this cream cheese frosting in it.

Then I pile it in with the nuts, about 2 cups crushed. (PEECANS, I mean.....that sounded kinda painful..)

AND, I definitely, would use 2 cans for this cake when frosting next time as I ran out for the side of it.

Then I put some Mandarin Oranges to the side, because I was too lazy to go to town to get an orange to slice and this is what I had in the pantry.....

Stir the frosting and the PEECANS and try not to taste it, but of course I had to.

took the cooled layers and started playing then.

Then I had a flashback to the Aqua-color, Eazybake oven in the late 60's with the lightbulb.......ok, I know that's crazy.

started with this, adding some dried cranberries on top.

Then finished with the second layer

And it does have alot of calories probably but gotta have fun on birthdays.

And the birthday guy was happy and pleased.

Probably not too healthy for the week, but this was his birthday request for a cake.

 I just kinda did my own thing with it.

And while we were eating our cake and saw how happy he was, I said, "Is it good enough for me to go order all the stitching stash I want?" and giggled.......and he gave me this look........and grunted slightly.

Dang it!

He didn't want me to tell how old he is now, but I can tell you that we have been getting AARP magazines for about 4 years now.....LOL

Stay cool!