Sunshine Cake Recipe (Pig Pickin Cake)

overhead shot of sunshine cake in a pan turned on an angle

Sunshine Cake Recipe (Pig Pickin Cake)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy potluck dessert, make-ahead cake, mandarin orange cake, mandarin orange cake recipe, pig pickin cake, pig pickin cake recipe, pineapple frosting cake, southern dessert, sunshine cake, sunshine cake recipe

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 40

Servings:

Calories: 238kcal

Author: Jessica Formicola

A classic Southern Sunshine Cake recipe made with yellow cake mix, mandarin oranges, and a light pineapple whipped topping. Also called Pig Pickin Cake, this easy make-ahead dessert is perfect for potlucks, holidays, and summer parties.

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Equipment

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

Tips:

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