Classic Pig Pickin’ Cake — A Southern Sunshine Dessert

If you’ve never had a bite of the Classic Pig Pickin’ Cake, oh my, are you in for a treat! This old-fashioned Southern dessert is light, fruity, and full of sunshine flavor — the kind of cake that makes you close your eyes and smile after the first forkful. It’s delightfully easy, too, with a shortcut boxed cake mix base that transforms into something truly special thanks to juicy mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and a dreamy whipped topping.

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Why You’ll Love This Classic Pig Pickin’ Cake

There are desserts that impress, and then there are desserts that disappear before you’ve had seconds. This one falls firmly into the second category!

Here’s why it’s a favorite:

🌞 Bright & refreshing flavors: The combination of pineapple and mandarin oranges gives this cake a tropical, tangy-sweet taste.
🍰 Soft and moist texture: Thanks to the fruit, every bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
🕒 Quick to make: Uses a boxed cake mix but tastes completely homemade.
🎉 Perfect for gatherings: It’s nicknamed a “Pig Pickin’ Cake” because it traditionally graced Southern BBQs and potlucks — and always vanished first!

The flavor? Think sunny citrus kissed with creamy vanilla — light, luscious, and anything but boring!!

Benefits of This Recipe

No mixer required — just a bowl and whisk!
Great make-ahead dessert (it actually tastes better after chilling).
Easily feeds a crowd.
Travels beautifully for parties and potlucks.

Ingredients

1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
3 eggs
⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
1 cup water
2 (11 oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained and divided
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple with juices
1 (16 oz) tub frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix

Tools You’ll Need

9×13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Electric or hand whisk
Rubber spatula
Cooling rack

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions

Cake mix: Try a butter or white cake mix for a lighter color.
Fruit: Add shredded coconut or chopped pecans for texture.
Whipped topping: Homemade stabilized whipped cream works great if you prefer to skip store-bought.
Pudding flavor: Swap vanilla for cheesecake or lemon pudding for a twist!