Pig Pickin' Cake is a Southern tradition that starts with boxed cake mix, crushed pineapple, and mandarin oranges! This light and fruity, fluffy dessert is a staple at pig roasts and barbecues all summer long.
What is Pig Pickin' Cake?
Simply put, a Pig Pickin' Cake is a moist mandarin orange layer cake that is layered with a fluffy whipped cream vanilla topping full of crushed pineapples. Traditionally, this light fruity dessert was served at a Southern pig roast - or pig pickin' - so that is most likely how this cake got its name. I just call it plain delicious!
If you're looking for more easy summer desserts, be sure to try triple lemon poke cake, tornado cake, or strawberry fluff!
Ingredients
- yellow cake mix
- unsalted butter
- mandarin oranges
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- vegetable oil
- whipped topping
- crushed pineapple
- instant vanilla pudding mix
Step by step
- In a large bowl, stir together cake mix, butter, ½ cup juice from oranges, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in a stand mixer or with an electric mixer 3 minutes on medium speed.
- Pour batter into three greased and floured 9 by 13 inch cake pans.
- Bake for 20 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool layers on wire racks completely. Refrigerate cake until ready to frost.
- Fold together COLD whipped topping, drained pineapple, and instant pudding mix.
- Spread topping on cooled cake, then top with next layer of cake and repeat. For best results refrigerate frosted cake at least 3 hours before serving.
- Top each serving with an additional mandarin orange slice for garnish.
Tips for best results
- Cake should be cooled in the fridge before frosting, not just room temp
- Keep cool whip in fridge until ready to mix frosting, make sure pineapple is drained very well or the pineapple frosting will end up runny
- Tastes best if made the day ahead of serving to allow flavors to blend
Variations
This recipe is pretty straight forward however some versions garnish the top with crushed pecans or walnuts.
You can also make this cake as one single layer to simplify the preparation. The baking time will need to be extended 5-10 minutes.
FAQs
Yes, due to the whipped topping you'll need to keep this cake in the fridge and serve cold.
You can freeze pig pickin' cake without the topping by wrapping in two layers of plastic wrap and placing in a freezer safe bag or container. I do not recommend freezing the topping.
Pig pickin' cake is also called mandarin pineapple cake, pea pickin cake, or simply mandarin orange cake.
If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
Print
Southern Pig Pickin Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pig Pickin Cake is a Southern tradition! This fruity, fluffy dessert is a staple at pig roasts and barbecues all summer long.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained with ½ cup of juice reserved
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
- 16 ounce Cool Whip whipped topping
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained thoroughly
- 4 ounce box Instant vanilla pudding mix
- extra mandarin oranges for garnish is desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray three 9 by 13 inch baking pans.
- Mix together cake mix, butter, eggs, juice from oranges, and vanilla in a stand mixer or with an electric mixer for 3 minutes on medium speed, scraping the sides as needed.
- Fold in oranges.
- Pour batter equally in the three prepared pans.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool cakes completely on a wire rack, then transfer to refrigerator until ready to frost.
- Once cakes are cold, stir together whipped cream, crushed pineapple, and pudding mix until blended.
- Spread one third of the frosting on first layer of cake. Top with the second layer and repeat an additional layer of frosting. Add last layer of cake and top with the remaining frosting.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish with additional slices of mandarin oranges if desired.
Notes
Cake should be chilled before frosting.
Keep Cool Whip refrigerated before mixing frosting, you want it as cold as possible.
Tastes best if made a day ahead.
Keywords: pig pickin cake
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
This sounds so good, and you know how much I love things in jars!
Sam Dull says
I love anything in a jar - this is cute! Looks yummy too!
Sam
http://cooksandcreates.blogspot.com/
Jenny Piirto says
I had to click over just to see what this was. You do not disappoint, yum!
cooking with curls says
Looks yummy and adorable!!!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
Oh, this looks SO GOOD!! Yumm!! 🙂
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
Yum, Keri! Love the combination of flavors ... it sounds like such a great summer dessert! Thanks for sharing with us at Project Inspire{d}.
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com} says
I have to admit that I came over just to see what Pig Pickin Cake was! lol Sounds good to me- although I thought maybe bacon was in there- I think the orange sounds better!
Jenn says
What a wonderful dessert idea! Can't wait to try this--thanks for sharing the recipe!
Planting Daffodils
Jen Nikolaus says
Wowzers. This looks like the yummiest dessert EVER. I am dying to try it!! YUMMM!
~Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
TitiCrafty by Camila says
This must be Delicious!!!! Yummmmm
Hope you are having a lovely day
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila
sugarswings says
they sound so good! I need to try the mandarin orange cake idea!
Angela Betlewicz says
I love jars! Adds character to your foods nicely! I would love for you to link to http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/assets-and-efforts-linky-party-2.html
Thanks,
Angela
Cathy says
I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/tgif-link-party-3.html
Hugs, Cathy
momphotographer says
looks soooo good!
Maria says
These look incredibly delicious!!!! Both the cake and the topping sound so good!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
My California is showing a bit here, cuz I had no idea what a Pig Pickin' cake was, but this thing looks awesome! I'm pinning this and sharing it on my Facebook page this week! Thanks so much for linking it up to my party!
Linda Knutson says
As a seasoned Southerner, allow ,me to tell you that this cake has become a favorite dessert or 'anytime' snack, with my family and friends. It's very easy to make and soooo delicious! Make it, you won't be disappointed!
★★★★★
Vanessa Roberts says
I have never heard of this kind of cake before, and I am so intrigued to try this recipe! Thanks for linking up to our Make Bake Create party! I have featured them today on my blog!
http://therookieseamstress.com/2013/05/22/snack-ideas/
Ashleys Dandelion Wishes says
This looks so yummy! I would love it if you would come and link this up at my link party
Dandelion Wishes Wednesday. I'm also pinning this!
Diana Miller says
Thanks so much for linking up this delicious treat to The Weekly Creative last week! I'm featuring it tomorrow in my 9 Sinfully Delicious Treats round-up. I hope you stop by. 🙂 XOXO
Cocalores says
Look yummy - gotta try this recipe, now that fruit season is coming! =)
tootz says
This cake has been around since the 70's (you tell how old I am). but I thought it would have to be refrigerated? Have you made it and not kept it refrigerated for a number of hours?
Keri says
I normally frost it right before serving or keep the frosted cake/cupcakes in the fridge!
Jennifer says
turned out great!
★★★★★