Pig Pickin’ Cake is a Southern favorite, often served at barbecues and gatherings. It’s a moist, fruity cake made with mandarin oranges and topped with a fluffy pineapple whipped cream frosting. Despite its fun name, it doesn’t actually contain pork—it’s just a sweet, refreshing dessert that’s a staple at Southern pig roasts!
Pig Pickin’ Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, with juice
For the Pineapple Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, with juice
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Make the Cake:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, and mandarin oranges with their juice.
- Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the batter is smooth and the oranges are broken down (about 2–3 minutes).
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Pineapple Whipped Cream Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix and the can of crushed pineapple (including the juice). Stir until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Fold in the thawed whipped topping until fully combined and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of the pineapple whipped cream frosting on top.
- Repeat with the second and third layers, frosting the top and sides of the cake as well.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set.
This Pig Pickin’ Cake is light, fruity, and perfect for warm weather gatherings! It’s easy to make, and the combination of mandarin oranges and pineapple makes it a refreshing treat.