If there were ever a cake made for potlucks, baby showers, Easter lunch, and the kind of backyard party where someone says “just bring a dessert,” this is it. Sunshine Cake, also known as Pig Pickin Cake, is a soft, ultra-moist mandarin orange cake topped with a fluffy pineapple whipped frosting.
Best of all, this version starts with a boxed cake mix, so you get all the nostalgic Southern dessert charm without dirtying every bowl in your kitchen.
The mandarin oranges keep the cake tender and citrusy, while the pineapple topping makes it light, creamy, and perfect for making ahead. Whether you call it Sunshine Cake or Pig Pickin Cake, this is the easy vintage dessert recipe everyone asks for after the first bite.
What Makes My Version Better
- Starts with cake mix for moist, foolproof results.
- Mandarin oranges add moisture and bright citrus flavor.
- Pineapple whipped topping keeps it light instead of overly sweet, rich or heavy.
- Easy sheet cake format feeds a crowd, no messing with layers or leveling.
- Better the next day, so it’s ideal for make-ahead entertaining, potlucks and parties.
Why is it Called Pig Pickin Cake?
This pig pickin’ cake recipe hails from the American South. Pig pickin cake got its unique name because it’s a popular follow-up to a long afternoon or evening of eating juicy, tender meat (and other rich sides) at pig roasts.
While this recipe for the classic southern dessert is in sheet cake form, you can also do tiered layers – just use round cake pans. This recipe is used for so many occasions like Easter dessert, a baby shower cake, summer potluck dessert, church picnic dessert, cookout dessert or as a make-ahead party cake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These basic ingredients are all easily accessible at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand.
Cake
- Yellow cake mix: Using a box of cake mix cuts down on prep time.
- Mandarin oranges with juice: The fruit adds bright flavor while the juice contributes to its moist crumb.
- Eggs: The eggs help to give the cake its richness.
- Vegetable oil: Oil helps to keep the cake moist.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds warmth and sweetness.
- Coarse kosher salt: Salt helps bring out the other ingredients’ flavors.
Frosting
- Frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip): This acts as the base of the frosting.
- Crushed pineapple: Pineapple adds sweetness and tanginess.
- Instant pudding mix (vanilla): Dry pudding mix helps to make the frosting creamy.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the flavors of the rest of the ingredients and balances the frosting.
Garnish
- Maraschino cherries: These brightly-colored cherries add a burst of flavor to the cake.
- Pineapple slices: Pineapple adds a pop of color and tropical flavor.
- Mandarin oranges: Oranges add sweetness and a touch of tartness.
How To Make Sunshine Cake
This moist, tropically flavored cake is incredibly easy to make.
- Make Cake Batter. Combine the cake mix, mandarin orange segments with juice, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl of a stand mixer (or use an electric mixer).Mix the cake ingredients until completely combined. Transfer the cake batter to the prepared pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake. Place the cake in the preheated oven. When the cake passes the toothpick test, and is a light golden brown, remove it from the oven.
- Cool. Let the cake cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
- Make Topping. With a rubber spatula, mix together whipped topping, crushed pineapple, pudding mix, and vanilla extract.
- Frost. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
- Decorate. Garnish the cake using oranges, cherries, and grapes, if desired.
Variations
You can add your signature twist to this cake in a few ways.
- Fruit: Add or substitute your own favorite fruits. Or try adding orange zest or lemon zest for more bright flavor.
- Extract: Try replacing some or all of the vanilla with almond extract.
- Nuts: Sprinkle crushed walnuts or pecans on top of the cake.
- Cake: Try making your own recipe from scratch instead of a boxed mix. Or use a different variety, like an angel food cake or a white cake mix.
Storage
Since it has whipped topping, be sure to store the cake in the fridge or freezer.
Make ahead: Make the cake ahead of time and frost it when you are ready to serve.
Refrigerator: Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Or, wrap slices tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Common Questions About Sunshine Cake
Yes. Sunshine Cake and Pig Pickin Cake are two names for the same classic Southern dessert: a moist mandarin orange cake topped with a light pineapple whipped topping.
This moist dessert combines yellow cake and mandarin oranges with a pineapple whipped topping. It’s garnished with bright red maraschino cherries.
This recipe takes approximately 40 minutes to prepare including both prep time and bake time, but will need to cool before frosting.
Yes. Since the topping is made with whipped topping and pineapple, the cake should be stored covered in the refrigerator.
You can, but stabilized whipped cream works best. Regular homemade whipped cream may weep more quickly and won’t hold up as long for storage.
More Easy Cake Recipe
Sunshine Cake Recipe (Pig Pickin Cake)
Ingredients
Cake:
- 15.25 ounce package yellow cake mix
- 11 ounces mandarin oranges with juice
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Frosting:
- 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed (like cool whip)
- 1 15 ounce can crushed pineapple , drained
- 1 3.5 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish:
- pineapple slices
- maraschino cherries
- mandarin oranges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the 15.25 ounce package yellow cake mix, 11 ounces mandarin oranges with juice, 4 eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cake passes the toothpick test. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
- When ready to frost, fold together the thawed w16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed (like cool whip), drained 1 15 ounce can crushed pineapple, 1 3.5 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Top and garnish with pineapple slices, maraschino cherries and mandarin oranges, all optional.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
- Use the entire can of mandarin oranges, including the juice.
- Thaw the whipped topping fully so the frosting mixes smoothly.
- Chill the frosted cake before slicing if you want neat, bakery-style squares.
- This cake tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, which makes it my kind of party dessert: less stress, more compliments.
Nutrition
Have made this cake dozens of times over the years and is always a huge hit! Especially perfect for hot sunny days for a cold, light dessert. I like to add chopped pecans as a topping.
I love how this cake looks super fancy, but thanks to the boxed cake mix, is really easy and simple to make! The perfect summer dessert!
Perfect name for this cake! So lovely – I’m saving this and will be making it for an upcoming birthday celebration!
This cake sounds delicious, and it’s so pretty, too. I can’t wait to make it. I love all the fruity flavors.
The orange pineapple combination was so good! The kids loved this cake.
This is almost too pretty to eat! It will be a hit at summer parties and the kids will love it!