Description

Pig Pickin Cake is a moist and fruity yellow cake with a delightful blend of mandarin oranges and pineapple, topped with a creamy vanilla pudding and whipped topping frosting. This Southern-inspired dessert is perfect for a summer gathering or family celebration, combining easy-to-use canned fruit and cake mix for a quick yet impressive treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base

1 package yellow cake mix
2 (11-ounce) cans mandarin oranges (juice from 1 can reserved, second can well drained and discarded)
4 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling and Frosting

1 (15-ounce) can crushed pineapple, well drained
1 (3.5-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (16-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Optional garnish: 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, well drained
Optional garnish: 1 (11-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, well drained

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking and set it aside.
Mix Cake Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, juice from one can of mandarin oranges, the eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Using a hand-held electric mixer, blend the ingredients for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
Bake the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking pan placed on a wire rack to allow air circulation and prevent sogginess.
Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the well-drained crushed pineapple with the instant vanilla pudding mix, stirring until the pineapple is evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
Combine with Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pineapple-pudding mixture until fully combined, creating a creamy frosting.
Frost the Cake: Spread the creamy frosting evenly over the cooled cake. For additional texture and flavor, garnish the top with well-drained mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits if desired.

Notes

Make sure to reserve the juice from one can of mandarin oranges; it adds moisture and flavor to the cake batter.
Ensure the canned pineapple and optional fruit garnishes are well drained to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
The cake must be completely cooled before frosting to keep the topping from melting.
This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for flavors to meld.
Use fresh whipped topping rather than canned whipped cream for better texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern United States

Keywords: Pig Pickin Cake, Southern dessert, pineapple cake, mandarin orange cake, easy cake recipe, fruit cake, instant pudding cake