Pig Pickin’ Cake

It’s a big hit at every gathering.

By
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Food and wine writer, recipe developer, and the author of Mediterranean Every Day. Her work can be found in numerous online and print publications.
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Updated February 10, 2025
Sheela Prakash
Angled view of a baking dish of pineapple and mandarin orange cake with a slice being removed with a spatula

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Pig pickin’ cake isn’t just fun to say—it’s a sweet treat your whole family is sure to enjoy. This tender yellow cake is studded with mandarin oranges and topped with a pineapple whipped cream cream frosting. It has a buttery yet fruit-forward flavor with a nice tang from the frosting to ensure every bite feels fruity and light.

Why is it called pig pickin’ cake, you ask? This type of cake (or similar) was traditionally served at Southern pig roasts, also called pig pickings, which led it to be known as pig pickin’ cake.

Good to Know

This cake is also sometimes referred to as Sunshine Cake, for its bright color and its airy texture. Whatever you call it, the tropical notes and lovely presentation make for an ideal warm-weather dessert.

Tips for Making Pig Pickin’ Cake

  • Place a strainer over a bowl to collect all the juices from the mandarin oranges.
  • If you don’t like the idea of the mandarin orange syrup in the cake, you can substitute it for the pineapple juice. 
  • If you’re short on time and don’t want to make your own frosting, stir the crushed pineapple into whipped topping instead and use that as the frosting.
  • Don’t forget to pick up a second can of mandarin oranges for garnish!
Angled view of a slice of pineapple and mandarin orange cake on a dessert plate with a fork

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Other Easy Sheet Cakes to Bake

Pig Pickin’ Cake

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Chill Time 2 hrs 45 mins
Total Time 3 hrs 40 mins
Servings 12 servings
Yield 1 (9x13-inch) cake

This recipe was developed by Melissa Gray

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Ingredients

For the cake

  • Baking spray with flour

  • 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges in light syrup

  • 1 (13.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1/4 teaspoon orange extract, optional but recommended

For the frosting

  • 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

  • 1 cup (114g) unsifted powdered sugar

  • Drained mandarin oranges, for garnish

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with baking spray; set aside.

  2. Drain the mandarin oranges:

    Drain the mandarin oranges, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid (discard the remaining liquid or reserve it for another use). Pat the drained mandarin oranges dry with paper towels and set aside.

    Overhead view of a baking sheet of mandarin orange slices on a paper towel for drying for Pig Pickin' Cake recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  3. Prepare the cake batter:

    Beat the cake mix, butter, eggs, orange extract (if using), and reserved 1/2 cup of mandarin orange liquid together in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until thickened and smooth, about 2 minutes.

    Using an offset spatula, spread half of the batter in the prepared baking pan in an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the drained and dried mandarin oranges on top of the batter, then spread the remaining batter evenly over the oranges in the pan.

    Overhead view of a glass baking dish of mandarin orange slices on top of cake batter for Pig Pickin' Cake recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  4. Bake the cake:

    Bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 45 minutes.

    Overhead view of a glass baking dish with the baked cake layer before adding frosting for Pig Pickin' Cake recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  5. Drain the crushed pineapple:

    To make the frosting, drain the can of crushed pineapple, discarding or reserving the juice for another purpose. Squeeze the crushed pineapple dry with paper towels.

    Overhead view of squeezed pineapple drying on a paper towel for Pig Pickin' Cake recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  6. Make the frosting:

    Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, gradually add the heavy cream until combined and smooth, about 90 seconds. Add the powdered sugar and beat on medium-high until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Add the crushed pineapple and stir gently until evenly combined.

    Overhead view of a glass mixing bowl with the ingredients of the frosting being mixed with a spatula for Pig Pickin' Cake recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  7. Frost the cake:

    Spread the whipped cream frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the frosting sets, at least 2 hours or up to 5 days. Garnish with drained mandarin oranges; slice and serve.

    Leftover cake can be kept in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 5 days.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
479 Calories
31g Fat
46g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 479
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 19g 94%
Cholesterol 146mg 49%
Sodium 324mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 9mg 44%
Calcium 134mg 10%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 180mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.