• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Featured In
  • Recipe Index
  • This & That
  • Contact

The Blond Cook logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • This & That
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    By Amy · Published: Jun 9, 2021 · Updated: Jun 9, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy Leave a Comment

    Pig Pickin’ Cake

    FacebookTweetPinEmailYummly
    Jump to Recipe
    A slice of cake on a white plate. Overlay text says "pig pickin' cake".

    This moist and fruity Pig Pickin’ Cake is an easy and delicious southern dessert. It requires only seven simple ingredients and couldn’t be easier to prepare!

    Overhead view of a pig pickin' cake by a  checked napkin, sliced pineapple and mandarin oranges.

    This is by far one of my favorite cakes and I’ve been making it for years. You can’t go wrong with this moist mandarin orange cake topped with a fluffy pineapple frosting – it’s always a hit and as hassle-free as it gets. No one will ever know it starts with a boxed cake mix!

    A slice of pig pickin' cake topped with a mandarin orange slice on a white plate.

    I’ve always called this a pig pickin’ cake, but it’s also known as a mandarin orange cake or sunshine cake… whatever you call it, I’m certain we’ll agree that it’s impossible to resist!

    It can be baked as a sheet cake or a layered cake. I prefer to make it as a sheet cake because it’s easier, but I’ve included instructions for preparing it both ways.

    Your Simple Ingredients

    Overhead view of ingredients for making a pig pickin' cake.

    I told you the ingredients were simple! I try to keep them on hand in my pantry and fridge in the summer so that I’ll have everything I need to make this cake if I need an easy dessert for a gathering (or when I get a sweet tooth!).

    • Boxed cake mix – I use Duncan Hines butter golden.
    • Whipped topping – I use 12 ounces in the frosting when preparing this as a sheet cake and 16 ounces when making a layer cake (since there is more surface area to frost with layers). You can definitely use the whole 16 ounces for frosting the sheet cake if you want; it will be thicker than what you see in the photos.
    • Crushed pineapple – the pineapple needs to be drained well.
    • Eggs – 4 large eggs
    • Butter – unsalted and softened
    • Mandarin oranges – one (undrained) can is needed for the cake batter. I also buy an extra can to use for garnish, but it’s not required.
    • Boxed vanilla pudding – instant

    How to Make It

    Following is a brief overview of how to make this pig pickin’ cake – please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full detailed instructions.

    Two photos showing how to prepare batter for a pig picking cake.
    1. Prepare the batter by beating together cake mix, softened butter, eggs and mandarin oranges with juices.
    2. Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center is removed clean. Cool completely before frosting.
    Three photos showing how to prepare frosting for a pig picking cake.
    1. Prepare the frosting – drain the pineapple very well in a colander. Press it with the back of a spatula to drain excess juice.
    2. Stir together drained pineapple with pudding mix in a large bowl.
    3. Fold in cool whip until well combined. Frost cooled cake, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    Front closeup view of a slice of pig pickin cake on a white plate.

    Enjoy!

    More Easy Desserts

    • Coconut Sheet Cake
    • Bacardi Rum Cake
    • Quick Southern Banana Pudding

    Follow along! Subscribe via email to never miss a recipe.

    SUBSCRIBE

    Join me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.

    Front closeup view of a slice of pig pickin' cake on a white plate.

    Pig Pickin’ Cake

    This moist and fruity cake is an easy and delicious dessert. You'll never know it starts with a boxed cake mix!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: pig pickin’ cake, pig picking cake
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Cool: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 15
    Author: Amy

    Ingredients

    For the Cake

    • 1 (15.25 ounce) box butter golden cake mix I use Duncan Hines
    • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) softened
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges undrained
    • additional mandarin oranges for garnish optional

    For the Frosting

    • 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple very well drained
    • 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
    • 12 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip) ¾ of a 16-ounce tub or 1 ½ 8-ounce tubs

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray.
    • Place cake mix, butter, eggs and mandarin oranges (with juices) in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a hand-held electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed and beat for an additional 1 ½ minutes, or until combined.
    • Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
    • Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center is removed clean. Allow cake to completely cool before frosting.
    • Prepare the frosting by stirring together drained pineapple and pudding mix in a large bowl (it will be a pasty consistency). Fold in whipped topping until well combined.
    • Spread frosting over cake. Garnish with additional mandarin orange slices, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

    Notes

    • To prepare as a layer cake:  Pour cake batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.  Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center is removed clean.  Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.  Use 16 ounces of Cool Whip in frosting instead of 12 ounces.  
    • This cake is best when refrigerated overnight before serving, but is still delicious when served immediately!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg

    If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheBlondCook or tag #theblondcook!

    HUNGRY FOR MORE?

    • Bacardi Rum Cake
      Bacardi Rum Cake
    • Easy Coconut Sheet Cake
      Easy Coconut Sheet Cake
    • Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
      Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
    « Cheesy Squash Casserole
    Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    Amy (The Blond Cook) with long blonde hair and wearing a pink shirt smiling for the camera.

    Hey, I'm Amy Brinkley! Welcome to my online kitchen. I love cooking simple, family-friendly recipes with everyday ingredients.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Easy Creamed Corn
    • Buttery Garlic Steamed Clams
    • Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Pineapple Margarita
    • Simple Dog Biscuits
    • Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops

    Instant Pot Recipes

    • Instant Pot Chili
    • Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    • Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
    • Instant Pot Beef Stew
    • Instant Pot Ham and White Bean Soup

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up to get new recipes via email.

    Footer

    A banner of logos of websites that The Blond Cook has been featured in.

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    © COPYRIGHT 2011-2022 · TBC MEDIA, LLC · DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY POLICY · ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!