Tangy Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

Sweet memories flood back with this delightful mandarin orange pineapple cake that brings tropical sunshine right to your plate.

Juicy fruits dance together in a moist, tender crumb that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Bright citrus notes complement the golden pineapple chunks, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Bakers seeking a simple yet impressive dessert will love how quickly this treat comes together.

Minimal ingredients combine to create maximum impact, promising a crowd-pleasing experience for any gathering.

Each slice promises a burst of refreshing sweetness that transports you to a breezy island paradise.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delicious adventure.

Why Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake Is a Tropical Treat

• Conquer Quick Baking: Transform basic cake mix into a showstopping dessert with minimal effort and just a few simple ingredients.
• Craft Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and celebrations where you want to impress without complicated techniques.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Mandarin oranges and pineapple create a tropical twist that elevates a standard cake mix into something extraordinary and memorable.
• Refrigerator-Friendly Treat: Keeps well in the refrigerator and actually improves in taste the next day, making it ideal for advance preparation and stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients for Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides structure and flavor for the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Mandarin Oranges: Adds natural sweetness and fruity flavor to the cake batter.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides richness to the cake.
• White Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and helps with cake texture.

• Canned Pineapple: Provides natural fruit flavor and moisture for the icing.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creates a smooth, creamy texture for the frosting.
• Cool Whip: Adds lightness and creates a fluffy, spreadable icing.

• Wax Paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking to the pan.
• Cooking Spray or Butter: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.

How to Bake Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake Perfectly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 350F (175C) to get ready for baking.

Step 2: Create the Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Vegetable oil
• Mandarin oranges with their sweet juice
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs

Whip these ingredients together using a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until everything looks smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Pans

Grease three round cake pans thoroughly. Dust with flour and line the bottom with wax paper to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Fill and Bake the Cakes

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes.

Check doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when touched.

Step 5: Cool Down the Cakes

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes.

Carefully transfer them to cooling racks and allow them to cool completely.

Step 6: Craft the Creamy Frosting

Drain the pineapple, saving the juice for another use.

• Drained pineapple
• Instant vanilla pudding mix
• Cool Whip

Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Generously spread the creamy pineapple frosting over each cooled cake layer.

Step 8: Chill and Enjoy

Refrigerate the cake. Pro tip: This dessert tastes even more amazing the next day as the flavors meld together!

Tips for Moist and Flavorful Pineapple Cake

• Drain mandarin oranges and pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the cake batter.
• Use fresh eggs at room temperature for better cake texture and even mixing.
• Line cake pans with wax paper for easy cake removal and perfect shape.
• Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when fully baked.
• Refrigerate the cake overnight to enhance flavor and allow frosting to set completely.

Variations to Customize Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake

• Gluten-Free Orange Pineapple Cake: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Tropical Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and choose a vegan cake mix. Replace Cool Whip with coconut whipped cream for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Citrus Cake: Use a sugar-free cake mix, substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and reduce the amount of added sugar in the recipe to create a diabetic-friendly option.

Pairings That Enhance Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake

• Savor Sweet Citrus Sips: Pair this tropical mandarin orange pineapple cake with a crisp moscato wine that complements its fruity essence and light sweetness.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Brew a delicate orange-infused green tea that echoes the cake's citrus notes and provides a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the rich dessert.
• Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside a scoop of coconut gelato to enhance the tropical flavors and add a smooth, cool texture that balances the cake's soft crumb.
• Complementary Coffee Choice: Select a vanilla-based cold brew or a light roast coffee with caramel undertones to highlight the cake's sweet pineapple and orange profiles.

How to Store Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake Properly

Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

Carefully wrap the entire frosted cake in two layers of plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring no air can penetrate the wrapping.

Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Keeps well for 2-3 months.

Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. For room temperature serving, let cake sit for 30 minutes before eating. Microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds if you prefer a slightly warm piece.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake?

The key ingredients are cake mix, mandarin oranges, pineapple, eggs, oil, sugar, instant vanilla pudding mix, and Cool Whip.

• Is this recipe difficult to make?

No, it’s quite simple. The recipe requires basic mixing and baking skills, with straightforward steps that even novice bakers can follow easily.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

You can swap the Cool Whip with whipped cream, and use a different flavor of cake mix if desired. Just ensure measurements remain consistent.

• How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

The cake is done when the center springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, which typically takes about 20 minutes at 350F.

Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake brings tropical sunshine to dessert tables with its luscious layers of citrusy delight. Moist crumb and tangy glaze invite dessert enthusiasts to savor a delectable slice of paradise that promises pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box Duncan Hines butter cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar

Fruits:

• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges (with juice)

Oil and Liquid:

• 1/2 cup Wesson oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the cake mix, vegetable oil, mandarin oranges with their juice, granulated sugar, and eggs using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
3. Prepare three round cake pans by generously greasing and flouring the surfaces, then line each pan with wax paper to prevent sticking.
4. Distribute the cake batter evenly among the prepared pans, using a spatula to spread it smoothly.
5. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, checking for doneness by gently pressing the center – the cake should spring back when touched.
6. Allow the cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes to stabilize, then carefully transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
7. For the frosting, thoroughly drain the pineapple, reserving the juice for another use.
8. In a clean mixing bowl, combine the drained pineapple with instant vanilla pudding mix, stirring until well incorporated.
9. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until the frosting becomes smooth, creamy, and fully blended.
10. Once the cakes have cooled completely, apply the pineapple frosting between layers and over the entire cake surface.
11. Refrigerate the cake to set the frosting and enhance the flavors, noting that the cake tends to taste even more delicious the following day.

Notes

• Select a high-quality yellow cake mix for the best flavor and texture, ensuring smooth blending with other ingredients.
• Use fresh mandarin oranges if possible, as they provide brighter, more vibrant citrus notes compared to canned versions.
• Gently fold in pineapple chunks into the frosting for added texture and bursts of tropical flavor throughout the cake.
• Consider reducing sugar slightly if using sweet mandarin oranges to balance the overall sweetness of the dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 284 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 270 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg