Assuming you have an experience with the South-and, most likely, at a church potluck, family reunion or Sunday supper-it is likely that you have tasted the sweet, citrus-y goodness of Pig Pickin Cake. Although it is called this way, no pork is involved in this cake. Rather, it owes its name to the fact that it was a type of dessert that was usually enjoyed at the end of a Southern pig roast or a pig pickin, as they used to be called, where through the afternoon and early evening, there would be roasted pork, and then afterwards people would have a nice fruit-heavy dessert like this would be.
Pig Pickin Cake is truly a temptress with its light airy texture mixed with such lively colors of mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. This cake is creamy but light, and the frosting -whipped topping, pineapple, and vanilla pudding- is cold, creamy and sweet.
It is a simple to make cake that serves a lot of people, and goes well at warm weather parties. Want to make it homemade but got pantry staples and a dash of Southern mystique? Here is how.
Ingredients
To make the Cake:
1 pkg (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
3 extra large eggs
1 cup of water
1/3 cup oil (veg, or canola)
A can (11 oz) of drained mandarin oranges
1 additional can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, as garnish
To make the Frosting:
1 pkg (3.4 oz) instant pudding, vanilla
20 oz can (juice not drained) crushed pineapple
1 tub ~ (16 oz ) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
Preheat and Prep Step 1
Warm up your oven to 350 F (175 C). Beat coconut milk, eggs, vanilla extract and sugar until it is well blended. Set aside.
Step 2: Baking with the Cake Batter
Combine the eggs, cake mix, water and oil in a big mixing bowl. Blend in hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed 2 minutes until they are smooth and creamy.
Now whip 1 can of mandarin oranges; then, drain syrup out, and add the oranges into the batter. Beat some more the oranges will be broken a little thus mixing its juice and the citrus flavor all though the batter. This procedure makes the cake have that unique touch of soft and wet.
Step 3: Cake baking
Pour the batter into the pre-pared dish. Spread it using spatula.
Bake in the heated oven at 30-35 minutes, or till the top is golden and the toothpick inserted in the middle of the bread is clean.
Take out of the oven and leave cake until completely cool in pan on wire rack. It should not be frosted when warm.
Step 4: The Frosting Preparation
Add in a bowl:
The crushed pineapple with juice too The crushed pineapple (with the juice as well)
The vanilla pudding powder
Stir it until the pudding begins to thick a little. Next, fold in the whipped topping that has thawed with a spatula. Be careful not to mix too vigorously you do not want the frosting to become too stiff.
Instead step 5: Frost and Garnish
When the cake is cooled, cover it with a topping of pineapple-pudding.
Empty can of oranges, mandarin, no. 2, (taking another can), wipe out thoroughly, and arrange the segments in long strips or concentric circles on top of the frosted cake in an attractive pattern.
Step 6: To Chill and Serve
The cake should be refrigerated after it has been served in a refrigerator and sliced after 30 minutes. This cold period causes the frosting to become firm and the citrus flavours are enhanced.
cut in squares and chill. Refrigerated: the leftovers may be refrigerated covered and kept for 3-4 days.
Tips &Variations
Make ahead: It is actually better the day after making. These flavors blend and it freezes up perfectly overnight.
Add Texture: Add scallions and pile it on with shredded coconut or chopped pecans to make it all Southern.
Layer Cake Alternative: You may like to separate the batter into two round cake trays and make a layered Pig Pickin Cake whenever you like to celebrate.
Low-Sugar: Use sugar-free pudding and light whipped topping to cut down on the sweetness should one want it that way.
The reason why it is a Southern favorite.
The cake is nostalgic to most Southerners as it is simple yet full of the taste of sunshine. The batter has mandarin oranges that provide some sweetness and the pineapple-pudding topping provides a nice creamy, fruity finish that you cannot get from any packaged frosting.
It does not matter whether it is a backyard BBQ, potluck or just quick dessert that you need for your family, this cake always turns out a rave.
Pig Pickin Cake is a type of a recipe which is transferred down through generations. It is not only the way it tastes so good but also the memories it leaves. The recipe is ideal to any person who desires to get a touch of southern tradition at their dining table without much strain and with great tastes.