Mandarin Orange Cake

The classic box mix recipe (aka Pig Pickin' and Sunshine Cake) made with mandarin oranges, topped with the famous fluffy icing made with crushed pineapple, vanilla pudding mix and cool whip.

JUMP TO RECIPE

I’d never considered putting this recipe on the blog before because, like with the Chocolate Delight recipe, I assumed everybody already had it.

Then I searched online for the recipe, which I thought was pretty standard, and learned that there are a gozillion versions of this recipe out there.

I had to call Mama up to make sure I had the recipe right. Then I decided I better make one and put the recipe here so I could always find it. The original, best recipe.

I imagine there are so many versions of this recipe out there because of recipe bloggers like me tweaking it here and there to make it seem original or make theirs somehow different.

But y'all... there's only ONE way to make this cake. The original way. Because it's perfect!

I'm sure this recipe originally came from a cake mix box or can of pineapple (or Cool Whip carton or pudding mix box, etc.) because there's a whole generation of us from coast to coast who know this recipe.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE

• Yellow cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Mandarin oranges
• Crushed pineapple
• Instant vanilla pudding mix
• Cool Whip

You’ve probably seen this cake before. I think it hit the scene in the 80’s and is known by a few other names: Pig Pickin’ Cake, Ambrosia Cake, Pea Picking Cake and Sunshine Cake to name a few.

We actually call this Man Cake since Mom says she’s yet to serve this to a man and he not ask for it again and again. Ha! She just made this for Father’s Day for that exact reason.

I can’t claim to have tested out all the other versions of it floating around out there but I’m going to go out on a limb and declare this one the best because I, honest to God, can’t think of a thing that could be improved upon with it.

I love how moist and fluffy the cake is. You don't have that combo in too many recipes. Most recipes that are moist are dense and thick. But this one is airy and light. And I love that this is refrigerated because the cool cake and creamy frosting are perfect combo!

And this frosting? Ohhhh, this frosting! I love it so much that I came up with a pie recipe that's made up of just the frosting ingredients! Since so many people call this cake Pig Pickin' Cake, I decided to call my pie Pig Pickin' Pie (and well, because it sounds cute!).

RECIPE NOTES FOR MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE

Use the 6-serving size instant vanilla pudding (usually about 5-oz) and do not prepare first.

I like to use 3 8-inch pans for the cakes but 2 9-inch pans can be used as well.

The cake can be made in a bundt pan or 13x9 pan. You will not need all of the frosting for these. The frosting is delicious by itself as a treat or you could stir mini-marshmallows into it for a small batch of fluff salad.

MORE BOX CAKE MIX RECIPES

WHITE CHOCOLATE BERRY BUNDT CAKE - Tender white chocolate cake with a berry swirl based on Nothing Bundt Cakes famous White Chocolate Raspberry cake. 

IMPOSSIBLE 5-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE CAKE - An impossibly moist, fudgy, decadent chocolate bundt cake recipe made with just five ingredients. 

WHITE WINE CAKE - A super moist, rich cake recipe made with white wine and a touch of cinnamon. This short-cut recipe is made easy with a cake mix! 

PISTACHIO CAKE - This easy retro cake mix recipe uses pistachio pudding in the cake AND in the frosting for tons of pistachio flavor and a super moist cake. 

HONEY BUN CAKE - An easy cake recipe with all the classic flavors of a honey bun made with a doctored up cake mix, cinnamon and brown sugar. 

Recipe for How to Cook Mandarin Orange Cake

Mandarin Orange Cake

Yield: 10 Servings

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

A moist and fluffy cake recipe made with a cake mix and mandarin oranges topped with the famous cool and creamy icing made with crushed pineapple, pudding mix and cool whip. Also known as Pig or Pea Pickin' Cake, Sunshine Cake and Ambrosia Cake.

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 11-oz. can mandarin oranges, with juice

Frosting:

• 1 20-oz. can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 16-oz. carton Cool Whip, thawed

Garnish:

• 1 11-oz. can mandarin oranges, drained very well

Instructions

Cake:

1. Grease and flour three 8" round cake pans and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine eggs, oil and oranges (with juice) then beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined.
3. Add cake mix then beat on low speed for two minutes. Pour evenly into cake pans then bake per cake mix manufacturer’s instructions. Cool cakes completely.
4. Frost cake (between layers, top and sides) and garnish with drained orange slices. Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.
5. Refrigerate in an air-tight container to store up to 5 days.

Frosting:

1. With a rubber spatula or with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer set on low, mix pineapple (with juice), pudding mix and half of Cool Whip until thoroughly combined.
2. Fold in remaining Cool Whip until well combined.

Notes

• Use the 6-serving size instant vanilla pudding (usually about 5-oz) and do not prepare first.
• I like to use 3 8-inch pans for the cakes but 2 9-inch pans can be used as well.
• The cake can be made in a bundt pan or 13x9 pan. You will not need all of the frosting for these. The frosting is delicious by itself as a treat or you could stir mini-marshmallows into it for a small batch of fluff salad.

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2012/06/mandarin-orange-cake.html

Images and text © South Your Mouth LLC 2012

mandarin oranges, pineapple, cool whip, vanilla pudding, Pig Pickin' Cake, Sunshine, Ambrosia, Pea Picking, cake mix, box mix, easy, best, original, dessert, recipe, cold,

dessert

American

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