Bang a Gong: Harvey Wallbanger Cake from Booze Cakes by Krystina Castella

The holiday season has begun its assault on our senses. But I know how to dull the sensory overload: indulge in a big slice of boozy cake. Don't judge me.

(Note: curious about that patent? I was too. Learn more here.)

This one comes from Krystina Castella's Booze Cakes: Confections Spiked With Spirits, Wine, and Beer, a fine release from Quirk Books this year. This book is full of fun boozy cake recipes, plenty of which are great for a holiday crowd; I won't lie, I chose the Harvey Wallbanger because of its funny name and interesting recipe lead-up:

All the rage in the 1970s, the Harvey Wallbanger cocktail is a groovy twist on the classic Screwdriver: it adds a splash of the smooth vanilla Italian liqueur Galliano to the vodka and orange juice. In the 70s spirit, this is one drunk Bundt cake that is dead easy to make. It's a light, moist, absolutely booze-drenched crowd pleaser.

And happily, I wasn't let down. Citrusy, festive, and very boozy, this one is party-perfect.

Harvey Wallbanger Cake

From Booze Cakes by Krystina Castella

For the cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 (3.3 ounce) box vanilla instant pudding
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Galliano liqueur
• 3/4 cup orange juice

Boozy Orange Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 1 tablespoon Galliano liqueur

Finishing: original recipe  suggests orange slices and confectioners' sugar; I garnished with toasted almonds.

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cake mix, pudding powder, vetetable oil, eggs, vodka, Galliano, and OJ for 4 minutes, or until smooth. Pour batter into pan. Bake 45-50 minutes, until golden brown.
3. Make the glaze. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth and creamy. Drizzle over cake. Give it a few minutes to sink into the cake for extra boozy goodness and moisture. Finish with whatever garnish you'd like.

Warning: Do not share Harvey Wallbanger cake batter with pugs.

Comments

[Nicole]

This is the second post in a row to contain the words "don't judge me."

As your cupcakes might say: :o

TAKIN' THE HIGHWAY TO AWESOMETOWN AND TAKIN' NO PRISONERS

or

too much booze and pre-prepared baked goods?

[Nicole B.]

I VOTE FOR MORE BOOZE CAKES! :P
I just previewed the book on Amazon, and it looks fantastic!
Pink Champagne Cake?
UHMM, YES!?!

[Ashlae]

I'm making this cake just because it has the word 'Wallbanger' in it.

PS - my painting arrived yesterday. Cedric and Ooni couldn't be more pleased! You nailed them :) Thanks again!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashlae/5225008916/

[Terry Lee Stone]

Glad you like Krystina and my book "Booze Cakes." I'm especially thrilled to see you talk about the Harvey Wallbanger Cake. It's been a favorite in my family for years, and actually inspired me to team up with Krystina to create the book.

[Ela]

Awesome!! Didn't you love it? We made it for Thanksgiving and it was great!!! Well- I had limoncello substituted for the vanilla liquor, but it was awesome none the less. Yay for boozecake!

[AC]

Eating the Wallbanger cake from that book right now -- it really is great!