{"id":2955,"date":"2025-10-10T18:16:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T18:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/?p=2955"},"modified":"2025-10-10T18:16:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T18:16:45","slug":"classic-pig-pickin-cake-the-ultimate-southern-citrus-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/10\/classic-pig-pickin-cake-the-ultimate-southern-citrus-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic Pig Pickin&#8217; Cake: The Ultimate Southern Citrus Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83c\udf4d\ud83c\udf4a This vintage Southern layer cake is a citrus lover&#8217;s paradise! Fluffy mandarin orange-infused cake layered with pineapple-laced whipped frosting\u2014it\u2019s unbelievably moist, refreshing, and disappears faster than pie at a potluck!<\/p>\n<p>\u2728 Why You\u2019ll Love This Recipe<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 No mixer needed \u2013 Just whisk and bake!<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Bright, tropical flavors \u2013 Mandarin oranges + pineapple = pure sunshine<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Light yet indulgent \u2013 Whipped frosting feels decadent but isn\u2019t overly sweet<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Potluck superstar \u2013 Always the first dessert to vanish<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcdd Ingredients<\/p>\n<p>For the Cake<\/p>\n<p>1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix<\/p>\n<p>1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, undrained<\/p>\n<p>4 large eggs<\/p>\n<p>\u00bd cup vegetable oil<\/p>\n<p>1 tsp vanilla extract<\/p>\n<p>For the Frosting<\/p>\n<p>1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, well drained<\/p>\n<p>1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix<\/p>\n<p>1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed<\/p>\n<p>\u00bd cup shredded coconut (optional)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udf73 Step-by-Step Instructions<\/p>\n<p>1. Make the Cake<\/p>\n<p>Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C). Grease two 9-inch round pans.<\/p>\n<p>In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, mandarin oranges (with juice), eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.<\/p>\n<p>Divide batter between pans. Bake 25-30 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.<\/p>\n<p>Cool 10 mins in pans, then transfer to a wire rack.<\/p>\n<p>2. Whip Up the Frosting<\/p>\n<p>In a bowl, mix drained pineapple and pudding powder.<\/p>\n<p>Fold in whipped topping and coconut (if using).<\/p>\n<p>3. Assemble &#038; Chill<\/p>\n<p>Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with half the frosting.<\/p>\n<p>Top with the second layer and remaining frosting.<\/p>\n<p>Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best!).<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tips<\/p>\n<p>\u2705 Don\u2019t overmix batter \u2013 Keeps the cake tender<\/p>\n<p>\u2705 Press pineapple in a sieve \u2013 Remove every drop of juice for stable frosting<\/p>\n<p>\u2705 Toast the coconut \u2013 Adds nutty depth<\/p>\n<p>\u2705 Make ahead \u2013 Flavors meld beautifully after 24 hours<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83c\udf4d\ud83c\udf4a This vintage Southern layer cake is a citrus lover&#8217;s paradise! Fluffy mandarin orange-infused cake layered with pineapple-laced whipped frosting\u2014it\u2019s unbelievably moist, refreshing, and disappears faster than pie at a potluck! \u2728 Why You\u2019ll Love This Recipe \u2714 No mixer needed \u2013 Just whisk and bake! \u2714 Bright, tropical flavors \u2013 Mandarin oranges + pineapple &#8230; <a title=\"Classic Pig Pickin&#8217; Cake: The Ultimate Southern Citrus Dream\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/10\/classic-pig-pickin-cake-the-ultimate-southern-citrus-dream\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Classic Pig Pickin&#8217; Cake: The Ultimate Southern Citrus Dream\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recipes-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2955"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2957,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2955\/revisions\/2957"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipesw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}