This disappeared in seconds when my mom made it on those super busy days

5. Pour the pudding mixture over the warm cake, aiming to fill the holes.
6. Allow the cake to cool completely, then spread the whipped topping evenly over the top.
7. Garnish with orange slices or additional zest, if desired, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the cake absorb the flavors and firm up before serving.

Variations & Tips
For a twist on the classic, try using different flavors of soda like lemon-lime or grapefruit to give a new taste profile to each cake. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix the pudding layer with orange liqueur instead of milk for an adult version. For another fun variant, add a layer of vanilla or orange marmalade under the whipped topping for extra zest and sweetness.