Howdy friends and happy spring! I’m joining our host, Amber at Follow The Yellow Brick Home, for an Easter Celebrations Blog Hop. Did you love the quick Easter vignette from Christy at Our Southern Home? She always inspires me with her classic style. If you’re new here, thank you for visiting. I’m going to share a southern dessert that’s easy, delicious and perfect for springtime! I’m not a foody or a baker or a cook but I know cake – I’m a cake eater. This recipe is a staple in the south and because it’s so fluffy and light, it’s extra popular at Easter.
A southern dessert that’s easy, delicious and perfect for springtime!
Mandarin Orange or Pig Pickin’ Cake
Right about this time I would usually chat about spring decorating or an Easter centerpiece but y’all, this cake is all I’ve been thinking about for a month. Mom and I were deciding the menu for Easter and of course this cake was first on the list. Why? Because life is short so eat dessert first is our motto.
Mandarin Orange Cake Ingredients
When I decided to share the recipe with you, I realized I didn’t actually know the recipe. We just make it how we make it and that’s it. After looking up the recipe, I noticed there are quite a few variations. And names! I grew up hearing it called Mandarin Orange Cake. A lot of people call it Pig Pickin’ Cake or pig eatin’ cake, pig cake, sunshine cake, orange pineapple layer cake, summer cake, and celestial snow cake. I find all of those to be lacking in the description for this scrumptious delight and think the name should be called Citrus Fluff Cake. That sounds much better.
I bet you can’t stop from licking the frosting bowl!
Here in Texas, someone will usually bring this cake. It’s at most spring and summer parties, family reunions, revivals, funerals and just good ol’ backyard BBQ’s.
Oh so light and fluffy Mandarin Orange Cake!
What makes this cake so yummy is the mandarin oranges inside the yellow cake mix and the crushed pineapple and whipped topping. Now do you understand why I think it should be called Citrus Fluff Cake? Another great thing about this cake is it can be made a couple of days ahead of time and it actually tastes better after two days! Yep, keep it refrigerated and eat it after 2 days. That’s if you can stand it. 😉
Look at all those mandarin orange pieces – Mmmm.
Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
Cake
- 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
- 2 – 15 ounce cans of Mandarin Oranges, drained (I substitute the water the box recipe asks for and use the juice from the cans)
- Same oil and eggs as box recipe shows (usually 3 Eggs and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil)
Frosting
- 5.1 ounce Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 16 ounce Whipped Topping (thawed)
- 20 ounce can of Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two or three round cake pans or grease one 9×13 baking dish. Depends on how thick you want your layers. You will not have thick layers.
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Place all cake ingredients (except mandarin oranges) into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well blended. After it’s fully combined, I add the mandarin oranges and beat about 15 seconds so the chunks of oranges are larger.
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Pour into prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes, slightly less if you use three pans or darker nonstick pans.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting. If using round pans, allow to cool for ten minutes before turning out. If using 9×13, allow to cool completely in pan.
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For frosting, place crushed pineapple (with juice) and instant pudding mix in a mixing bowl. Beat until just mixed. Add in thawed whipped topping and beat on low speed for about one minute. Frost cake.
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Cover well and refrigerate. Best if made 2 days ahead and refrigerated before serving.
- Like I said before, I’m not a cook or baker so sadly I will not be able to answer questions about substitutions or bake times, etc.
- Enjoy and try not to eat the entire cake all by yourself in one day! Although, since there are oranges in it, I say it would make a great breakfast food. 😉
I hope you see how a southern dessert that’s easy, delicious and perfect for springtime can fit into your season this year. I think it could become a new favorite. If you are interested, another recipe I shared is a no-bake Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Pie. That one is perfect for summer and super easy to make too!
Now it’s time to see Shelley over at Calypso in the Country. She is sharing fun Easter decorations. Don’t miss the others below. Happy Easter friends!
Cindy, this dessert looks so dreamy I can’t wait to make it! The mister will love this too, and I like sound of Citrus Fluff Cake the best! Pinning!
Author
Yay, one more vote for Citrus Fluff Cake! Let me know what you think when you make it! 🙂
Oh my word, I really need to make this cake, it sounds amazing and looks sooooooo good.
Author
It is soooo good and so easy to make, you’ll want to take it to all the parties this season!
This cake looks amazing, Cindy! I don’t think I’ve ever had a cake like this with oranges or pineapple in it so I’m excited to try your recipe. I can’t get over how fluffy your icing is either. It’s like next level. I’m totally going to practice mine before Sunday. Just pinned and can’t wait to try this! Big hugs and happy Easter, CoCo
Author
Thank you CoCo. I believe you’ll love it! Happy Easter
Oh my goodness. That looks delicious! I’ll have to make this because I love pineapple and orange!
Author
It’s scrumdiliumptious! Let me know what you think. Beware – it’s addicting!
Looks yummy and perfect for an Easter dessert. Wish I could try it. I’m off dairy, sweets and flour. The mandarin oranges are on my yes list!!
Author
I’ll eat a piece and think of you. 🙂
Cindy, I’m a native Texan and this is a new recipe to me but it looks delish–YUM! It looks like the perfect dessert for Easter…or an any time cake! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
Whaaaat?! I can’t believe you’ve not heard of it! Try it, you’ll like it! Happy Easter.
Now, this looks absolutely amazing Cindy! I can’t even believe how light and fluffy the icing looks. I’ve never even thought to make a cake with mandarin oranges but I do love them. Can’t wait to try it. Happy Easter my friend.
Author
It’s the Cool Whip. Hope you like it! Happy Easter to you as well. 🙂
I have never had this cake before and that is all about to change! I can’t wait to make this and know it will be a crowd pleaser!! Thanks for sharing and all the names were cracking me up!
Author
My pleasure Kristin! I thought you being from here would have had it before. Enjoy!
Yes – eat dessert first!! This looks amazing and the perfect dessert for Easter entertaining! It will surely be gobbled up! Happy Easter and great hopping with you again!
Shelley
Author
I’m going to have to make another one on Saturday because this one only has a teeny bit left. LOL. Thanks for the visit Shelley. Happy Easter!
It looks so delicious, I can almost taste it. Thanks Cindy and have a Happy Easter. He has risen!
Author
He has risen indeed! Thanks bunches Marlene. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Oh my goodness Cindy, my mom used to make this for Easter when I was a kid and I haven’t had it for ages. It looks so yummy. I love the idea for naming it Citrus Fluff Cake. Now I’m hungry. I have to eat gluten free, but I’m up for using a GF vanilla cake mix and giving it a whirl. Thanks for sharing this, it made my day. Have a wonderful Easter, friend!
Author
I’m so glad it brought back some sweet memories. And I’m sure it will be just as tasty with a GF cake mix. Try it after being in the fridge on day 2 for a proper review. 😉
Well this looks absolutely delish and refreshing! Have a happy Easter!
Author
Try it – you’ll like it! Hope your Easter is wonderful Nicolle. Thanks for the visit.
PIG PICKIN’ CAKE FOREVER!!! I love that cake and had forgotten it. I think I’ll make it on Sunday too. Hope your mom is doing well.
Author
LOL. I feel the same way but not sure how you can forget such things. 😉 Mom got out of the hospital on Sunday. 2 weeks there and traveling to FTW each day was a bit tiring but feel blessed to be able to do it. Thanks for the prayers. We truly appreciate it.
Cindy oh my goodness this cake looks so delicious! I am definitely making it for our Easter dinner! Thank you so much for sharing! My son loves mandarin oranges!
Author
That’s fun to hear. I think he’ll really like it!
Ok… I am soooo going to make this! Looks amazing. Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Easter to you and your family! Pinned!
Author
Thanks for the pin Denise. The cake is so easy to make it will become a go-to for sure the next time you need to take a dessert somewhere.
TThis makes my mouth water!!! I miss the days of pre-gluten and dairy free! I can almost taste the deliciousness right through the picture. This is exactly the kind of cakes I enjoyed for Easter time! I will get Liam (chef-to-be) to switch out some of these ingredients to make it. He likes experimenting with cake recipes to make stuff we can eat.
Thanks so much for joining the hop! Happy Easter!
Author
I know what you mean about the kind of cakes enjoyed at Easter. I think we had this cake almost every Easter growing up. Hope Liam can find some awesome substitutes and I hope your celebration is perfect.
YUMMO!!! Haven’t thought about this one in ages! Makes me think of your little yellow kitchen from long long ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It will be on our Easter table for sure!
Author
YUMMO is right! I hadn’t thought about that kitchen in years! Mom would still paint her kitchen yellow if she could. Happy Easter Bestie!
This looks soooo good!!! I would make it and probably eat the entire thing all by myself!! I’m definitely going to try this recipe!! Yum!!!
Author
It truly is so delicious and because it’s so light and fluffy, you don’t think one piece will do. LOL!