Pineapple Orange Cake
This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
Ingredients
- 1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, undrained
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- TOPPING:
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 carton (8 ounces) reduced-fat whipped topping
Reviews
My husband's Uncle Wally introduced us to Pig Pickin' Cake over 30 years ago. He explained that it's called a Pig Pickin' Cake because it was the traditional dish brought to a pig picking in his neck of North Carolina- a pig picking being a "neighborhood" event that follows a pig roasting: After the pig is roasted, the women get together to pick and shred the meat from the carcass, for the making of traditional Carolina BBQ. Our family's version includes a golden butter cake mix (box), 1/2c oil, the fruit from acan of mandarins and 4T of the juice, and 3 whole eggs. The frosting is 20can of crushed pineapple- not drained- with 1 box instant vanilla pudding mixed in. After about 5 mins, fold the whipped topping (12oz) into the pudding/pineapple. I have made this as a sheet cake, 2 layer cake, cupcakes, or in a springform cut into 3 layers. Always delicious, and one of my very favorite desserts! Thanks Uncle Wally, miss you!
Here in the South, this little gem is known as a Pig Pickin' Cake. If you're super health conscious, you can certainly make it according to this recipe, but we like it a tiny bit more indulgent in my house. We use the whole eggs (indicated on the cake mix), canola oil instead of applesauce for the cake itself, and regular pudding mix and whipped topping for the frosting. We also add coconut and orange extract to the frosting mixture. It's delicious and a hit every time!
Have people now days become so lazy that they can't beaten sweetened heavy cream and use it in recipes that call for frozen whipped topping? The quality, flavor and comfort factor is so much better.
Recipe says add whipping cream, but ingredients doesn't have any! Ant advice
Delicious recipe. Cooling and light. If you had a dry cake more than likely it was beating the egg whites too long which gives a dry product. Thanks for this keeper!
My Polish Granny made this for years from scratch...I would like the try this quicker version. Than compare.
A dear friend made this for us for our anniversary. I had to have the recipe too because it's so delicious. And it is simple to make!
So I want to make this for Easter. I just use the cake mix and follow the directions correct? Not the directions on the cake box.
I have made this cake following the recipe many times ... it's perfection. Every time there's a potluck or treats taken to work I am told that I have to bring this cake, it's so light and tasty my workmates call it the sunshine cake.
Made this cake yesterday and it's half gone already, just two people eating. Followed recipe and it came out perfect. I am curious as to why the name change from "Pig Picking Cake " to "Pineapple Orange Cake". I sense a bit of PCness going on. As for the review from momof3 re: pudding size, I used the 1oz. box called for so I don't know where the claim of "typo" error comes from. Anyway, follow the recipe and you'll have a wonderful dessert.