Quick and Easy Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake That Your Family Will Love

This delightful Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake comes together in about 30 minutes and utilizes simple baking techniques for a quick and easy dessert your whole family will adore! The best part? You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” treat to make room for fresh favorites. I mean, what’s better than a versatile dessert that screams summer vibes, right?

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s dive into the ingredients that make this cake a true gem! Here’s what you’ll need for this fluffy, fruity delight:

• 1 box Duncan Hines Butter Cake Mix

  • If you have another brand, no stress! They all work just fine, any cake mix will do!

• 1/2 cup Wesson Oil

  • You can swap this out for another vegetable oil if you like! It’s key for keeping the cake moist and tender.

• 1 can (11 oz) Mandarin Oranges, juice included

  • These little gems add a burst of flavor and moisture. You can also use fresh mandarins if you have them, just peel and section them up!

• 1/2 cup Sugar

  • You can reduce the sugar if you prefer a less-sweet cake, or even try brown sugar for a deeper flavor!

• 4 Eggs

  • Let’s keep it classic here, these are essential for binding everything together!

• 1 tub (12 oz) Cool Whip

  • It gives this cake an airy, fluffy frosting, and here’s a hack, you can use homemade whipped cream too!

• 1 small Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

  • This is what makes the frosting thick and creamy. If you don’t have vanilla, a different flavor will work, but keep the sweetness in mind!

• 1 can (16 oz) Crushed Pineapple

  • Just remember to drain it but save that juice! It’s perfect for soaking.

Now that we have our lineup, let’s get into the fun part, baking this cake!

How to Make Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans. And a little tip? Line them with wax paper for easy removal later!

2. Mix It Up: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, Wesson oil, mandarin oranges (don’t forget that juice!), sugar, and eggs. Using a mixer, blend everything on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it’s well combined and super smooth you’ll love the bright, zesty smell wafting through your kitchen!

3. Bake the Cakes: Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared pans. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the tops should look lovely and golden!

4. Cool Down: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Trust me, the smell just heavenly!

5. Frosting Magic: While your cakes are cooling, drain the crushed pineapple but save that juice (it’s liquid gold!). In a separate bowl, mix the drained crushed pineapple with the instant vanilla pudding mix until well combined. Then, gently fold in the Cool Whip until your mixture is creamy and fluffy, like a cozy cloud.

6. Layer It Up: Once your cakes are cooled completely, spread a generous layer of the pineapple and Cool Whip mixture in between each layer. Then, cover the top and sides of the cake with whatever frosting remains. I like to go a little wild with it, so don’t hold back!

7. Chill Out: For the best flavor and texture, chill your cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Honestly, it makes a world of difference!

Personal Connection

I can’t even tell you how much I adore this Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake! It’s my go-to recipe when I want something that combines nostalgia with pure joy. The flavors are reminiscent of summer picnics, family barbecues, and special occasions. I’m a real sucker for fruity desserts, and this one is so versatile that you can use whatever fruits you have lying around. The best part is, everyone always asks for seconds!

If you loved this cake, be sure to check out my Easy Blueberry Lemon Dutch Baby, my Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake, or my Russian Buttercream!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake comes together in under 30 minutes! Seriously, from gathering your ingredients to letting it bake, you’ll spend minimal time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creation.

Budget-Friendly

You’ll notice that this recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients. No fancy stuff! So it won’t break the bank, and you’ll likely have most of these items on hand already.

Customizable

The beauty of this cake is its flexibility! You can swap in whatever fruit you have on hand, or even change up the pudding flavor for a fun twist. Don’t have mandarin oranges? You could try peaches, just think of the possibilities!

Comfort Food

It’s loaded with tons of flavor and moist, fluffy layers. Every bite feels like a hug, or maybe a sunny day at the beach. Perfect comfort food for any occasion!

Make-Ahead Friendly

You can prepare this cake a day (or even two) in advance! Just pop it in the fridge and bring it out when you’re ready to serve. It just gets better with time, so you won’t have to rush, yay for meal prep!

Serving and Storage Tips

How to Serve This Cake

This cake is perfect on its own, but you can dress it up with a sprinkle of crushed nuts, a side of fresh fruit, or additional Cool Whip if you’re feeling extra indulgent. It’s also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream…just saying!

Storage

You’ll want to keep any leftovers stored in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. If you’re anything like my family, leftovers won’t last long, this cake is a huge hit!

Reheating Instructions

There’s really no need to reheat this cake, but if you must, do it gently in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to take the chill off.

Freezer Friendly

Yes! You can freeze this cake. Wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It’ll be good for about 2-3 months in the freezer. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving!

Final Thoughts

This Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake isn’t just another dessert; it’s a slice of sunshine that brings a smile to everyone’s face! Perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or even just a sweet treat after a long day, you’ll find it quickly becomes one of your favorites. So what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, gather the kiddos, and let’s get baking! You’ll be so glad you made this cake. I promise!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! If you’ve tried it or have any tweaks you love, I’d love to hear about them! Let’s keep the conversation going, and happy cooking!

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