Pig Pickin Cake

Pig Pickin Cake is a classic moist and delicious mandarin orange cake that’s topped with a whipped cream and crushed pineapple frosting making it a light and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for summer barbeques, family reunions, and the Fourth of July.

This simple cake recipe is made using a boxed cake mix as the base which makes it a total breeze! I also love making this cake during the warmer months of the year because it’s just a nice and refreshing flavor. It just makes me think of summer!

Pig Pickin Cake is one of my favorite southern cake recipes.

You might also like our easy strawberry poke cake.

Pig Pickin Cake

This simple orange and pineapple Pig Pickin Cake has been around for ages, but I didn’t know about it until my bestie made the Pioneer Woman Pig pickin cake one weekend I was visiting. I was intrigued, but unsure at the time. After one bite, I was convinced this classic southern recipe was a keeper.

We love the simplicity of this recipe because it’s semi-homemade by using the box cake mix and instant pudding mix. The pudding makes this cake super moist.

I’ve made this for us to enjoy at home and also for outdoor BBQs and gathering with friends. One thing is for certain… there is NEVER anything leftover besides a few crumbs sitting in the bottom of the pan.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 can (14 oz. ) mandarin oranges, drained. Reserve ½ cup mandarin juice
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla

For the frosting:

• 1 box (4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 6 oz. frozen whipped topping (like cool whip)
• Mandarin orange slices for garnish
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

How To Make Pig Pickin Cake

• Preheat oven to 350
• Spray 9 x 13 pan. 
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the golden cake mix, butter, ½ cup juice for the mandarin oranges, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until smooth and combined. 
• Add drained mandarin oranges and mix again until the oranges are small pieces in the batter. 

• Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. 
• Remove from oven and cool completely. 
• Let the cake cool and make the frosting. In the mixing bowl, combine drained pineapple and vanilla pudding mix. Add powdered sugar and mix to combine. Mix in whipped topping and stir until smooth. 
• Add in the drained, crushed pineapple chunks and stir until they are incorporated. Spread frosting on cooled cake and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set. 
• Before serving, top with extra mandarin orange slices.

What other toppings do people add to Pig Pickin Cake?

While this is a pretty standard cake recipe, there are a few ways that you can enhance and change up the flavor.

Adding shredded coconut on top is a good idea as it’s delicious and a fun texture. You can also add crushed nuts as well.

Why is it called Pig Pickin’ Cake?

OK, this is kind of gross, but a reality …. this sheet cake became a staple and served as a southern barbecue or pig roast where they pick the meat off of the pig after it was roasted. The cake has nothing to do with the pig pickin’ except it was a perfect side for a barbeque.

Can you use fresh pineapple for this cake recipe?

You bet! Just make certain that you chop it up so that it’s small and easy to mix in. I like to use canned because it’s just a faster method and I like saving time, but fresh pineapple is certain to taste amazing, too.

How to store leftover Pig Pickin Cake

Since this recipe is meant to be served chilled, you need to be certain to store it in the fridge for later.

Just make certain you’re storing it with a lid in the fridge to keep it nice and cool.

Tips

While this cake recipe is simple and easy to do, there are always a few tips to keep in mind to make the process flow a bit better.

• Drain the juice – This is an important step and one not to overlook. If you don’t drain the juice from the fruit, there will be a lot of mess that you’ll have to clean up later.
• Fold in the fruit carefully – When you’re mixing in the fruit, be careful to fold it in so that you’re not breaking it apart. You want to have small pieces of fruit but big enough so that you taste them.

Suggestions and Alternatives

As I mentioned above, you can really change up this simple southern cake recipe to be anything that you’d like.

• Leave out the oranges – If you don’t care for oranges, replace them with extra pineapple.
• Leave out the pineapple – If you don’t like the flavor of pineapple, add in extra oranges instead.
• Mix in or top with shredded coconut – You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut for this.

How do you know the cake is done baking?

The toothpick test is the easiest way to check and see if the cake is done baking in the oven. All you have to do is take a clean toothpick and insert it into the center of the cake.

If the toothpick then comes out clean, that’s a big indicator that the cake is done baking and it’s time to take it out of the oven.

If the toothpick comes out with batter, you need to leave it in for a few more minutes and check again. (using a new toothpick)

If you’re new to this simple dessert recipe, welcome! I can assure you that it’s a wonderfully sweet cake that will have you loving every single bite!

Can You Make This Cake Round?

Yes, you can bake the cake batter in two round cake pans and stack them with the frosting in between the layers and on top of the cake. I would eat is right away since it’s a very moist cake. It’s most common to be served in squares cut from a 9×13 cake.

More Delicious Cake Recipes

• Oreo Poke Cake
• St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops
• Gingerbread Sheet Cake