Our Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing is fruity, fluffy and super delicious! A box of cake mix with oranges added and three light ingredients mixed together for the icing makes a very light, refreshing and moist orange cake!

moist orange cake with 3 ingredient cool whip, pineapple and vanilla pudding icing

Mandarin Orange Cake

Mandarin oranges were a special treat while growing up. I have fond memories of having them for a snack. Now that we have cuties and other small, easy to peel oranges so readily available I rarely have a can of mandarin oranges. So when my mom shared this recipe that she had saved from a newspaper article in the 90s featuring mandarin oranges I couldn’t wait to try it!

The “Pig Pickin Cake” recipe looked so good I made it the first time for a special family gathering. Everyone loved it, but they did not like the name and they thought that it looked a bit plain.

So I named the cake after my favorite ingredients. My mom suggested getting an extra can of mandarin oranges to decorate the top and we solved the problems! This Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing has certainly been a hit!

My mom has also given me the recipes for these other easy cakes with fruit, Banana Split Cake and Easy Banana Cream Delight that are a hit I knew this one would be a winner! I also want to try adding cherries to the top to see if it tastes like a tropical fruit cake.

I made this cake again for a cookout with a special gathering of college roommate friends from college. That party was crazy because people brought kids…scads of them! And the adults and kids all LOVED this cake! When your dish is nearly empty after multiple parties you know this recipe is a winner!

Orange cake with Pineapple Icing is made with A box of cake mix with oranges added and three light ingredients mixed together for a very light and refreshing frosting

Citrus flavors have always been a favorite from our No-Bake Pineapple Pretzel Salad to our Pina Colada Cake, it’s always fun to close your eyes and pretend you are someplace tropical. Even if only for a few bites.

How to Make Easy Orange Cake

Combine boxed cake mix, eggs, oil and undrained can of mandarin oranges together.
Pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
Bake for 25 minutes at 325º F.
Mix container of whipped topping, large can of crushed pineapple and large package of instant vanilla pudding together.
Spread icing over cooled cake.
Garnish with an additional can of mandarin oranges if desired.

What is Needed to Make an Orange Pineapple Cake?

Box of yellow butter cake mix
Eggs
Vegetable oil
Mandarin oranges
Whipped topping
Large package instant vanilla pudding
Large can of crushed pineapple

9x13 pan of Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing is fluffy, fruity and super delicious! A box of cake mix with oranges added and three light ingredients mixed together for the icing is a very light, refreshing and moist orange cake!

Tips for Making Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing

Do not drain oranges or pineapple used in the cake or icing because the juice makes this cake so moist and delicious
Defrost whipped topping in the refrigerator before using – I try to move cool whip from the freezer to the fridge 12 to 24 hours before making the recipe
Allow cake to cool so that the whipped topping doesn’t get runny
If garnishing with oranges I only use drained oranges for decorative purposes
This recipe can also be made with 3 greased and floured round pans lined with wax paper

Other Easy Cakes for Cook-Outs, Potlucks and Parties

The "Pig Pickin Cake" recipe looked so good I made it the first time for a special family gathering.

Printable Recipe for Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing

Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing

Created by Jennifer Osterholt

Servings: people

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 40

Our Orange Cake with Pineapple Icing is fluffy, fruity and super delicious! A box of cake mix with oranges added and three light ingredients mixed together for the icing is a very light and refreshing dessert!

Ingredients

▢ 1 box yellow butter cake mix
▢ 4 eggs
▢ 1/2 cup vegetable oil
▢ 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, undrained equals about 1 cup
▢ 1 container whipped topping
▢ 1 large can crushed pineapple in natural juices
▢ 1 large package instant vanilla pudding
▢ mandarin oranges, drained for garnish optional

Instructions

Spray non-stick cooking spray on a 13 x 9 inch baking pan and preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Combine cake mix, eggs, oil and 1 can of mandarin oranges and mix well. Make for 25 – 30 minutes until set. Let cool.
Combine whipped topping, pudding mix and pineapple, stir well. Spread over cake and enjoy! Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Do not drain oranges or pineapple used in the cake or icing because the juice makes this cake so moist and delicious
Defrost whipped topping in the refrigerator before using – I try to move cool whip from the freezer to the fridge 12 to 24 hours before making the recipe
Allow cake to cool so that the whipped topping doesn’t get runny
If garnishing with oranges I only use drained oranges for decorative purposes
This recipe can also be made with 3 greased and floured round pans lined with wax paper

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 1gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 366IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 1mg

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.