Mandarin orange cake, also known as “Pig Pickin’ Cake,” is a delightful dessert that embodies the essence of summer and comfort. This light and fluffy cake bursts with the fresh, tangy flavors of mandarin oranges incorporated into both the batter and the creamy topping. The base typically consists of a moist yellow cake, which is made vibrant and tender with the addition of mandarin orange segments and their juice. This gives the cake a wonderfully fruity aroma and a delicate orange hue.
What truly sets this cake apart is its topping, a whipped concoction of vanilla pudding, crushed pineapple, and cool whipped topping, creating a lusciously creamy texture that complements the airy cake perfectly. The finishing touch is a generous sprinkle of coconut flakes or, occasionally, chopped nuts, which add a delightful crunch and a contrast to the sweetness.
Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a family Sunday dinner, the mandarin orange cake offers a refreshing zest that dances on the palate. It’s not just a cake; it’s a celebration of flavors that brings smiles with every forkful.
Kitchen Tools Needed
Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Cake
Cake
Frosting
How To Make Mandarin Orange Cake?
Preparing the Cake Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and lightly dust it with flour, tapping out any excess. In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the mandarin orange juice, and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped mandarin oranges gently with a rubber spatula.
Baking the Cake
Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple.
Assembling the Cake
Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the whipped pineapple frosting evenly over the top of the cake. If desired, garnish with additional mandarin orange segments for a citrusy flair.
Serving
The Mandarin Orange Cake is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a few hours of assembly to enjoy the lightness of the frosting and the moistness of the cake. Slice and serve as a delightful end to a meal or a sweet treat during a gathering.
What Goes Best With Mandarin Orange Cake?
Tips For Perfect Results
Use Quality Oranges: Opt for high-quality mandarin oranges to ensure the best flavor. If using canned oranges, choose ones in light syrup or juice rather than heavy syrup to avoid excessive sweetness.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring ingredients like butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smoother batter and a more evenly baked cake.
Gently Fold in Oranges: When adding the mandarin orange pieces to the batter, fold them in gently to prevent them from breaking too much and to distribute them evenly throughout the cake.
Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake rather than a light, fluffy one.
Prevent Sticking: Grease the cake pan well and consider lining the bottom with parchment paper to ensure the cake releases easily without sticking.
Check for Doneness: Since oven temperatures can vary, start checking the cake for doneness a few minutes before the suggested baking time. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before applying the frosting to prevent it from melting into the cake.
Enhance with Zest: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter to intensify the orange flavor in the cake.
Flavor the Frosting: Infuse the frosting with a touch of orange extract or zest for a complementary citrus kick that ties the flavors together beautifully.
Decorate with Freshness: Garnish the frosted cake with fresh mandarin segments, mint leaves, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a visually appealing and tasty finish.
Variations
Substitutions
How To Store Leftover Mandarin Orange Cake?
Nutritional Facts
Dessert You Will Definitely Love
Perfect And Amazing Blackberry Cheesecake Recipe
Best Biscoff Cheesecake Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Mandarin Orange Cake
Course: DessertsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium4
servings20
minutes30
minutes350
kcalIngredients
Cake:
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup (or 4 tablespoons) of unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of mandarin oranges, drained and chopped (canned or fresh)
2 tablespoons of mandarin orange juice (from the canned oranges if using)
Frosting:
1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup of powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of crushed pineapple, drained
Additional mandarin orange segments for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and lightly dust it with flour, tapping out any excess. In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the mandarin orange juice, and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped mandarin oranges gently with a rubber spatula.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple.
- Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the whipped pineapple frosting evenly over the top of the cake. If desired, garnish with additional mandarin orange segments for a citrusy flair.
- The Mandarin Orange Cake is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a few hours of assembly to enjoy the lightness of the frosting and the moistness of the cake. Slice and serve as a delightful end to a meal or a sweet treat during a gathering.
Conclusion
The Mandarin Orange Cake offers a perfect blend of citrusy zest and sweet indulgence, making it a favored choice for various occasions, from family gatherings to festive celebrations. Its light, airy texture paired with the creamy, fruity topping creates a delightful dessert that is both refreshing and satisfying. This cake not only serves as a delicious treat but also brings a bright, cheerful element to any dessert table.
With options for customization and adjustments for dietary preferences, it stands as a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed by many. Whether served at a summer picnic or as a comforting winter treat with a warm cup of tea, Mandarin Orange Cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.