Description
Mandarin Orange Cake brings sunshine to your dessert table with a zesty, tender crumb that celebrates citrus charm. Tender layers packed with fresh mandarin flavor make this simple cake a total crowd-pleaser for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 small 10.5 ounces mandarin oranges
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Topping/Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 can 20 ounces crushed pineapple
- 1 small box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 carton 8 ounces cool whip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit, preparing a clean workspace for your cake adventure.
- Cut two 9-inch wax paper rounds and thoroughly coat two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray and flour to prevent sticking.
- Combine the entire box of yellow cake mix, one 10.5-ounce can of mandarin oranges with syrup, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and 4 large eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat the cake mixture using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
- Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, ensuring equal depth in each pan.
- Slide the pans into the preheated 350-degree oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
- Remove cakes from oven and let them rest in pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Gently remove wax paper from cake bottoms and allow layers to cool completely at room temperature.
- Blend the 8-ounce cool whip, 20-ounce drained crushed pineapple, and one small box of instant vanilla pudding mix using an electric mixer.
- Whip the frosting ingredients on medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, spread the pineapple frosting between layers and over the entire cake surface.
Notes
- Swap out vegetable oil for coconut or olive oil to add depth and create a healthier version of the cake.
- For a gluten-free alternative, select a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Drain mandarin oranges thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cake too dense or soggy.
- When frosting, chill the cake layers for 30 minutes before assembling to help the whipped topping spread more smoothly and prevent crumbling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 to 10
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg