Do you need to keep the cake refrigerated?

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.

What other names is this recipe known as?

Pig pickin' cake is also called mandarin pineapple cake, pea pickin cake, or simply mandarin orange cake.

Pig Pickin Cake

Description

Pig Pickin Cake is a Southern tradition! This fruity, fluffy dessert is a staple at pig roasts and barbecues all summer long.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained with 1/2 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

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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.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: dessert
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 191
Sugar: 20.7 g
Sodium: 212.7 mg
Fat: 9.8 g
Carbohydrates: 23.1 g
Fiber: 0.7 g
Protein: 3.5 g
Cholesterol: 74.7 mg