Sunshine-Packed Pig Pickin Cake

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Pig Pickin Cake is a light, fruity dessert that combines mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and a yellow cake mix for a refreshing treat. This cake starts with a simple boxed cake mix, enhanced by mandarin orange juice and eggs, then topped with a creamy Cool Whip frosting mixed with pineapple and vanilla pudding. After cooling, the cake is topped with mandarin slices for a bright, sunny garnish. Perfect for warm days or anytime you want a dessert that tastes like sunshine. Keep it refrigerated for an even better flavor experience.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 18 May 2025 14:51:39 GMT
A slice of cake with white frosting and orange slices on top. Pin it
A slice of cake with white frosting and orange slices on top. | zestplate.com

This Pig Pickin' Cake is a sunshine-filled dessert that brings together the perfect balance of citrus and tropical flavors. The combination of mandarin oranges in the cake and pineapple in the frosting creates a refreshing treat that's perfect for gatherings, especially during warmer months.

I first made this cake for a backyard barbecue last summer and it disappeared faster than anything else on the dessert table. The bright citrus flavor paired with the creamy topping has become my signature dessert when friends ask me to bring something sweet to their gatherings.

Ingredients

  • Yellow cake mix: Forms the perfect base and saves time while still delivering great flavor
  • Mandarin oranges: Provide bright citrus bursts throughout the cake while keeping it incredibly moist
  • Butter: Adds richness that boxed mixes sometimes lack on their own
  • Crushed pineapple: Creates a tropical flavor profile in the frosting that complements the orange perfectly
  • Vanilla pudding mix: Thickens the frosting and adds creamy sweetness
  • Cool Whip: Provides the perfect light and fluffy texture for the topping
  • Powdered sugar: Balances the tartness of the fruit with just the right amount of sweetness

How To Make Pig Pickin' Cake

Prepare Your Ingredients:
Drain the mandarin oranges and pineapple carefully, making sure to reserve the exact amounts of juice listed in the recipe. This liquid gold is what infuses the cake and frosting with incredible flavor.
Mix The Cake Batter:
Beat the cake mix, softened butter, mandarin orange juice, eggs, and vanilla extract for a full 3 to 4 minutes. This extended mixing time incorporates air into the batter for a lighter texture and ensures all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add The Oranges:
Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges without completely breaking them down. You want pockets of orange throughout the cake for bursts of citrus flavor in every bite. A light hand here makes for a more interesting texture.
Bake To Perfection:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake until just done. The key is watching carefully toward the end of baking time. A toothpick inserted should come out clean, but overbaking will dry out the cake and diminish the moistness that makes this dessert special.
Create The Frosting:
Combine the pineapple juice with vanilla pudding mix and powdered sugar until completely smooth. Then fold in the Cool Whip using a gentle motion to maintain the airy texture. Finally, add the well drained crushed pineapple for that signature tropical flavor.
Frost And Chill:
Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake. This step requires patience as applying frosting to a warm cake will cause it to melt. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours, though overnight is even better as the flavors have more time to meld together.
A white plate with a cake on it. Pin it
A white plate with a cake on it. | zestplate.com

The mandarin oranges are truly the star ingredient for me. I discovered how magical they can be in cake when my grandmother first made this recipe for family reunions. She always said the secret was leaving some orange segments whole so you get that wonderful burst of citrus in random bites.

The Story Behind The Name

This cake earned its unique name because it was traditionally served at pig roasts or barbecues in the Southern United States. These events, known as "pig pickins," featured slow roasted whole hogs where guests would pick the meat directly off the pig. The light, fruity nature of this cake made it the perfect complement to rich barbecue. Despite its humble origins at casual outdoor gatherings, this cake has become a beloved dessert across America, appearing at potlucks, church suppers, and family celebrations.

Storage Tips

This cake should always be kept refrigerated due to the dairy in the frosting. Cover leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. The cake will maintain its optimal texture and flavor for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, though the topping may soften slightly over time. Unfortunately, this cake does not freeze well due to the whipped topping, which can separate when thawed.

A slice of cake with white frosting and orange slices on top. Pin it
A slice of cake with white frosting and orange slices on top. | zestplate.com

Easy Variations

  • Try using a lemon cake mix instead of yellow for an extra citrus punch
  • Substitute fresh whipped cream for the Cool Whip if you prefer a more homemade approach
  • Add a teaspoon of coconut extract to the frosting for a tropical twist
  • Consider adding chopped pecans to the topping for a delightful crunch
  • For a special occasion version, make this as a layer cake using two round pans

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh mandarin oranges instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh mandarins. Simply extract the juice needed for the cake and cut the segments into small pieces to mix in.

→ What can I substitute for Cool Whip?

You can use homemade whipped cream or any non-dairy whipped topping as an alternative to Cool Whip.

→ Can this cake be made ahead of time?

Yes, this cake can be made a day in advance. In fact, refrigerating it overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

→ What’s the best way to store this cake?

Keep the cake refrigerated in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap to ensure the frosting stays fresh and set.

→ Can I use another flavor of pudding mix?

Vanilla pudding works best for this recipe, but you can experiment with other flavors like white chocolate or coconut pudding for variety.

→ Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, while yellow cake mix is traditional, white cake mix or even pineapple-flavored cake mix can work well for a unique twist.

Pig Pickin Cake Delight

Citrusy Pig Pickin Cake with mandarin oranges and pineapple. A refreshing dessert packed with bright flavors.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the cake

01 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, 1/2 cup juice reserved (drain the rest)
02 1 box yellow cake mix
03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
04 1/2 cup mandarin orange juice
05 4 large eggs
06 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For the topping

07 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, 3/4 cup juice reserved (drain the rest very well)
08 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix
09 1/2 cup powdered sugar
10 4 ounces Cool Whip (whipped topping)
11 Mandarin orange slices (extra for garnish)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 02

Drain the can of mandarin oranges, setting aside 1/2 cup of the juice. Discard the rest of the juice.

Step 03

Combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup mandarin orange juice, 4 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat for 3-4 minutes on medium-high.

Step 04

Add the drained mandarin oranges and gently stir until combined, leaving some of the oranges chunky.

Step 05

Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Step 06

Drain the can of crushed pineapples very well, setting aside 3/4 cup of the juice. Discard the rest of the juice.

Step 07

In a bowl, stir together 3/4 cup pineapple juice with the vanilla instant pudding mix and powdered sugar.

Step 08

Fold in 4 ounces Cool Whip, and then stir in the drained crushed pineapple. If the frosting is too liquid, add more Cool Whip until reaching a desired consistency.

Step 09

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Refrigerate the cake for 2-3 hours to allow the frosting to set.

Step 10

Slice the cake into 12 pieces while in the pan and garnish each slice with extra mandarin orange slices. Keep the cake refrigerated until serving.

Notes

  1. Refrigerating the cake ensures the frosting sets properly.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from Cool Whip and pudding mix
  • Contains eggs
  • May contain gluten from the cake mix

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 295
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~