Harvey Wallbanger Cake
This was originally a Duncan Hines® cake recipe. I have added to it.
The Harvey Wallbanger is a classic 1970’s cocktail, even though it was invented in 1952. According to folklore, it was invented by champion mixologist Donato “Duke” Antone. It was named by Antone after a beach surfer, Tom Harvey, who patronized Antone’s Blackwatch Bar in Los Angeles. Legend has it that after having a few too many of these cocktails, Tom Harvey, banged into a wall or two. Thus, the Harvey Wallbanger cocktail was born.
The cocktail gained fame in the 1970’s after a marketing company for Galliano found out about the drink and spread the word. Back in the early 1970s, my parents entertained quite a bit and the Harvey Wallbanger was a popular drink among their friends. It has a blend of alcohol, (Vodka and Galliano), but also a good fruity flavor. Eventually the Harvey Wallbanger cake arrived on the scene and all of the women were making them for parties.
This leads to my story. Picture it…It was 1973. I feel like Sophia from the Golden Girls. One of my girlfriends had a few friends over. Her Mother was making a Harvey Wallbanger cake. Her Mother had to leave the room to deal with someone at the front door and the three of us girls decided to add a little extra alcohol to the cake. One poured a little extra Galliano and the other poured more Vodka. I added a little extra orange juice to balance it out. Well, her Mother came back and she finished making the cake. The Cake only rose to about 1/3 its normal size and her Mother couldn’t figure out why.
Since the cake was a flop, she decided she probably didn’t measure something correctly, after all she was distracted while making it or so she thought. She made a new one and let us eat that cake. The three of us finished the entire cake, before she had a chance to figure out what we did. She had no idea she was basically serving Harvey Wallbangers to minors. I guess I should be careful telling these stories online. My son is reading these. He doesn’t think I ever did anything wrong when I was younger. Shhhh! Don’t tell him!
I have updated this classic, with just a little extra, but don’t worry, it will definitely rise this time, LOL!
Oops! I forgot to turn the cake right side up before I added the glaze.
Harvey Wallbanger Cake
A great retro cake that is light, moist and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 box Duncan Hines Signature Orange Supreme Cake Mix
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup orange juice (fresh if possible)
- 1/3 cup + 1 shot Galliano liqueur
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
Glaze- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Galliano liqueur
- 1/2 teaspoon vodka
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a tube pan.
- Step 2 In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs, orange juice, oil, Galliano, vodka and pudding mix at medium speed.
- Step 3 Pour into the pan.
- Step 4 Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 5 Cool in pan for an additional 20-25 minutes.
- Step 6 Invert onto a serving plate.
- Step 7 Let cool completely.
- Step 8 To make the glaze: Combine all of the ingredients. Mix until smooth. Brush over the cake while it’s still slightly warm.
- Step 9 Store covered.
Harvey Wallbanger drink had Vodka, Galliano, and orange juice in it. That’s why it had the fruity flavor. Never had the cake, maybe someday I’ll try it.
The cake has the same liquor and flavors. So good!