This mandarin orange cake with pineapple frosting features juicy mandarin segments nestled within a fluffy cake, creating a burst of citrus in every bite. The light and tangy pineapple frosting adds a touch of the tropics, making it a refreshing and easy-to-make dessert.
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Calling all citrus lovers! Craving a sunshine-y cake you can make at home? This mandarin orange cake is about to be your new best friend. Fluffy cake loaded with juicy mandarin orange pieces? Yes, please! Topped with a sweet and tangy pineapple frosting that tastes like a tropical vacation? You betcha!
The best part? This cake is easier than you think. No fancy skills needed β just grab your bowls and whip up some citrusy goodness in no time! Plus, those bright orange colors are guaranteed to brighten your day (and your kitchen!).
Looking for more citrusy treats? We've got you covered! Cool off with a batch of our watermelon lemonade with rosemary on a hot day. Want something sweeter? How about my lemon blueberry bars with shortbread crust? Or, if you're feeling fancy, my chocolate orange layer cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
π· But wait, it's also called "Pig pickin' cake"?!
Yessirreebob! But I have to admit, I'd never heard of this before, so had to look it up myself! Apparently...a pig pickin' is a term that's sometimes used in the southern U.S. states (reportedly North Carolina, specifically, although I'm sure that's up for debate). It refers to a party where a whole hog is barbecued until the meat is falling off the bone, and the guests "pick" the whole pig clean. And this cake is a popular easy dessert to bring to these parties because it's quick and easy to whip up and makes a nice sweet dessert after all that pig pickin'.
π§Ύ Ingredients
Mandarin Orange Cake
- Yellow cake mix
- Mandarin orange segments
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
Pineapple Frosting
- Cool Whip
- Crushed pineapple
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Extra orange segments and orange zest for decorating (optional)
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.
β Ingredient notes
- Yellow cake mix - Choose your favorite yellow cake mix from the grocery store. We're only going to be using the dry ingredients from the package for this recipe.
- Mandarin orange segments - We'll be using an entire can of orange segments, including all the juices, so fresh oranges won't work in this case.
- Crushed pineapple - Same as above for the orange segments, we'll be using the entire can, so don't strain it.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix - Just the dry powder of the mix.
- Cool Whip - You can find this in the freezer section of your local grocery store. It's necessary to use Cool Whip for the frosting, as regular whipped cream isn't stable enough to make a cake frosting.
π₯£ How to make mandarin orange cake
Preheat oven to 350β.
Using a large bowl, mix all cake ingredients together. Yes, all of them (but remember: just the dry part of the cake mix), and give it a good stir.
Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottom of the pans with parchment.
Pour the cake batter evenly between the two pans and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Let the cakes cool completely. In the meantime, let's make the frosting.
π₯ Pineapple cool whip frosting
This is just as easy as mixing up the cake ingredients.
Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment or a handheld electric mixer, add all ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until it reaches stiff peaks. Due to the addition of pineapple juice, this may take about 3 to 4 minutes on the high setting.
Once the cakes have completely cooled, add about a half-inch layer of frosting to the top of one of the cakes, then carefully place the other cake on top of that. Then, spread frosting on the top and sides of the cake and decorate with extra orange segments and a light sprinkling of orange zest.
π§Ί Storage
When kept covered in the fridge, this mandarin orange cake will stay delicious for several days.
β FAQ
No, don't drain them. We're going to be using the oranges and juices in the cake batter, and the pineapple and juices for the frosting.
Since we're also using the orange and pineapple juices in this recipe, fresh fruit wouldn't work, but sliced oranges and pineapple would look great to decorate the cake!
For this recipe, it's necessary to use Cool Whip for the frosting, as regular whipped cream isn't stable enough to make a cake frosting.
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that the baking time will differ for different size pans, so do the toothpick test more frequently to check when your cake is done baking.
Do you love sweet treats as much as I do? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes:
- Chocolate Orange Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Bars with Shortbread Crust
- Watermelon Lemonade with Rosemary
- Lemon Lavender Cookies
- Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
- Lemon Blackberry Bread with Lemon Glaze
- Mom's Jewish Apple Cake
- Hummingbird Carrot Cake
π Recipe
Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple Frosting
Ingredients
Mandarin Orange Cake
- 15.25 ounce box of yellow cake mix
- 15 ounce can of mandarin orange segments
- ΒΎ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
Pineapple Cool Whip Frosting
- 12 ounces Cool Whip
- 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple
- 3.4 ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix
- Extra orange segments and orange zest for decorating (optional)
Instructions
Mandarin Orange Cake
- Preheat oven to 350β.
- Using a large bowl, mix all cake ingredients together. Yes, all of them (but remember: just the dry part of the cake mix), and give it a good stir.
- Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottom of the pans with parchment.
- Pour the cake batter evenly between the two pans and bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let the cakes cool completely.
Pineapple Cool Whip Frosting
- Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment or a handheld electric mixer, add all ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until it reaches stiff peaks. Due to the addition of pineapple juice, this may take about 3 to 4 minutes on the high setting.
Frosting and Decorating the Cake
- Once the cakes have completely cooled, add about a half-inch layer of frosting to the top of one of the cakes, then carefully place the other cake on top of that.
- Then, spread frosting on the top and sides of the cake and decorate with extra orange segments and a light sprinkling of orange zest.
Notes
- Should I drain the oranges and pineapple first? No, don't drain them. We're going to be using the oranges and juices in the cake batter, and the pineapple and juices for the frosting.Β
- Would fresh oranges and fresh pineapple work in this recipe? Since we're also using the orange and pineapple juices in this recipe, fresh fruit wouldn't work, but sliced oranges and pineapple would look great to decorate the cake!
- Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of Cool Whip? For this recipe, it's necessary to use Cool Whip for the frosting, as regular whipped cream isn't stable enough to make a cake frosting.
- Will this recipe work for different sizes/shapes of pans? Absolutely! Just keep in mind that the baking time will differ for different size pans, so do the toothpick test more frequently to check when your cake is done baking.
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Veronica
I'd never heard of this cake before, but love oranges and pineapple, so thought I'd give it a try. So glad I did, the whole family loved it.
maplewoodroad
Thanks Veronica! I love oranges and pineapple too, and am so glad you enjoyed it! π