Classic Pig Pickin’ Cake

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Classic Pig Pickin’ Cake: A Southern Delight with a Sunshine Twist

If you’ve ever attended a Southern potluck or family reunion, you’ve probably come across a bright, cheerful dessert known as the Pig Pickin’ Cake. Despite its funny name, this treat has nothing to do with pork—it actually earned its title because it was often served at traditional Southern pig roasts (“pig pickin’s”). The cake’s combination of light citrus flavor, moist texture, and creamy pineapple frosting makes it a favorite across generations. Here’s how to make this delightful, sunshine-filled dessert step by step.

🧁 What Is Pig Pickin’ Cake?

Pig Pickin’ Cake is a mandarin orange-infused yellow cake topped with a fluffy whipped pineapple frosting. It’s a semi-homemade recipe that uses a boxed cake mix as its base but transforms it into something extraordinary with the addition of fruit, whipped topping, and pudding mix. The result? A refreshing, fruity dessert that’s light yet irresistible—perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, and potlucks.

🍊 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
4 large eggs
1 cup mandarin oranges (with juice, not drained)
½ cup vegetable oil

For the Frosting:

1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (undrained)
Optional: extra mandarin orange segments or pineapple tidbits for garnish

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or a 9×13-inch pan if you prefer a sheet cake). This will prevent the cake from sticking and make removal easier.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

The yellow cake mix
Eggs
Oil
Mandarin oranges (including their juice)

Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it’s smooth and slightly fluffy. The mandarin oranges will break apart as you mix, infusing the batter with citrus flavor and keeping the cake incredibly moist.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tip: Allowing the cake to cool fully ensures your frosting won’t melt or slide off.