This delicious and easy Mandarin Orange Cake is the perfect summer dessert! Sweet mandarin oranges delicately flavor a boxed cake mix & crushed pineapple added to Cool Whip adds a sweet whipped frosting that complements the citrusy cake.
I love baking but sometimes the summer heat here in Florida is just a little too much for the air conditioner to handle. In that case, when I need to make a dessert for company, I fall back on something simple, quick and easy.
I usually opt for my Surprise Cake, Chocolate Magic Cake, or Banana Crunch Cake but, when my sister introduced me to this Mandarin Orange Cake, I knew it just might become my new favorite.
All you need is a large bowl, your favorite yellow boxed cake mix, eggs, oil, and a large can of mandarin oranges. Don't you just love those little sweet bites of sweetness?!
I can still remember when I was little, Mom used to give my sister and me mandarin oranges for a summer treat. I thought they were as good as candy as they were cool, sweet & super juicy. I still love them to this day, so adding them to a cake seemed like a no-brainer.
It takes less than 10 minutes to gather the ingredients for the cake and whip them together. Then just pour in a pan and bake.
While the cake is cooling you can make the whipped pineapple frosting. This is even easier to pull together than the cake! Just Cool Whip, a large package of vanilla instant pudding, and a large can of crushed pineapple in heavy syrup.
Mix it up, yep that's all there is to it, and you're ready to frost your cake. I love how light and airy this frosting is compared to the cake. It seems to complement the citrusy cake with its own touch of tropical flavor.
Now pop it in the refrigerator and wait an hour or so while the frosting sets. It tastes great even without cooling it, I know, I know, I just couldn't wait, but it's even better after letting it set. OK, now bring on the company! Oh, just look at all that deliciousness!
Go on take a bite! Ummm, the perfect cool summer dessert. I'll just bet this Mandarin Orange Cake will become a favorite of yours too. Enjoy!
More easy dessert recipes
Fruit Cocktail Cake - bake up this sweet cake with fruit cocktail inside and topped with a crunchy topping of pecans and coconut. Plus it takes just 10 minutes to whip up.
Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix - this cobbler couldn't be easier with only 3 ingredients and one baking dish. Delicious to eat and easy to clean up.
Pear Crisp with Gingersnaps - an easy to make dessert with sweet pear filling topped with a nutty gingersnap-oat crumble that bakes up to the perfect crunch.
Carrot Sheet Cake - a super moist cake with pineapple, coconut, buttermilk glaze, and cream cheese frosting.
Strawberry Lemon Cake with lemon cream filling and strawberry buttercream frosting.
Find more easy cake recipes here on 2CM!
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Mandarin Orange Cake with Whipped Pineapple Topping
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 yellow cake mix
- ¾ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 11 oz can mandarin oranges, not drained
Whipped Pineapple Frosting
- 8 oz container Cool Whip
- 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding (dry)
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of an 8x11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Cake
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, oil, eggs and mandarin oranges. Beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
Whipped Frosting
- In a large bowl, combine Cool Whip, dry vanilla instant pudding and crushed pineapple.
- Fold all ingredients together until combined.
- When cake is cool, spread whipped frosting over top of cake.
- Chill several hours prior to serving.
Nutrition
This post has been updated and was first published on June 18, 2017.
Jeanne Binggeli says
Is it an advantage to make the pudding/icing mixture the night before & ice the cake the next day to get really cold & firm?
Linda Warren says
The frosting is actually better when it is freshly made as it has a lighter consistency.
Doryl Tomain says
Can you use mandarin oranges in the frosting instead of pineapple?
Linda Warren says
I've never tried it with mandarin oranges in the frosting but I think if it is the same quantity as the pineapple and they are packed in a heavy syrup (which helps sweeten & flavor the frosting) that it would turn out delicious. Let me know if you try it because I think it would make a great option.
Sharon Medvecz says
I would love to try this recipe, however, I do not have an 8 x 11 pan. Would it work in a 9 x 13 or an 8 x 8 size pan? Thanks.
Linda Warren says
I believe it would work in a 9X13 pan but it won't be quite as thick. I would cut the cooking time and start checking if the cake is done after 25 minutes. I'm guessing it will probably take between 30-35 minutes. Let me know how it works out for you.
Allison says
Am I supposed to drain the crushed pineapples before putting them in icing mix?
Linda Warren says
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I was away for Christmas and am just returning. The pineapple goes in as is, no draining. Hope you got a chance to try it and it came out well.
Sherry Briwn says
I loved this recipe....it was so easy and I had the ingredients on hand. It was delicious.
Linda Warren says
Glad you liked it! It's an oldie but a goodie! It always hits the spot during the warm weather and the kids would gobble it up if I let them.
Carol says
Is a large package of instant pudding equal to two 3.4 oz
Linda Warren says
Just use one 3.4 oz package. The large description is a little misleading and I have changed the recipe to reflect the appropriate size.