What is pig pickin cake?
It is a classic Southern sheet cake often served at barbecues and pig pickin parties. A common version is a yellow cake with crushed pineapple in the batter, topped with a whipped frosting made by mixing whipped topping with instant pudding powder, then folding in mandarin oranges. Like most potluck legends, recipes can vary by region and by who wrote it on the notecard.
Do I drain the pineapple?
No. Use the crushed pineapple with its juice in the cake batter. That liquid is part of what makes the cake so tender.
Quick note: Cake mix box sizes can vary (you may see 15.25 oz or smaller). If your batter looks unusually thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons pineapple juice or water. If it looks very loose, do not panic, just bake and start checking a few minutes early.
Do I drain the mandarin oranges?
Yes. Drain them well and gently pat dry if they look extra juicy. Too much liquid can loosen the frosting.
Do I poke the cake?
No poking required. This version is not a poke cake. You just bake, cool completely, then frost and chill. Easy, tidy, and very potluck-friendly.
Can I make pig pickin cake from scratch instead of cake mix?
You can, but cake mix is part of the charm here. If you want from-scratch, use your favorite yellow sheet cake recipe and fold in 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple with juice. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, then frost as written.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
You can, but it is softer and does not hold as long at room temp. If you go homemade, whip 2 cups heavy cream with 1/3 cup powdered sugar to stiff peaks, then fold in the instant pudding powder and oranges. Keep it chilled until serving.
Why is my frosting runny?
Most often it is because the oranges were not drained enough, the whipped topping was too warm, or the cake was frosted before it cooled. Another common culprit is using cook-and-serve pudding instead of instant pudding. Chill the frosting 20 to 30 minutes, then re-spread. Next time, make sure everything is cold, the oranges are well drained, and the pudding mix says instant on the box.
Can this sit out at a cookout?
This cake is happiest chilled. For food safety, do not leave it out more than 2 hours total at room temperature (less if it is hot and humid). If you are serving outside, keep it in a cooler with ice packs and set out only what you expect to be eaten soon.
