Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe (Sunshine Cake)

Last Updated on October 5, 2026 by Mr. B

This homemade mandarin orange cake is light, creamy and made from scratch.

This cake recipe, also known as Sunshine Cake, Pig Pickin Cake and Pig Lickin Cake (so many names!), includes mandarin oranges blended into the batter and a pineapple frosting.

A great idea for a Summer treat, Easter dessert, Mother’s Day or anytime you feel like it!

Looking for more dessert recipes? Try these:

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Easy Pound Cake Recipe

Homemade Apple Pie

I SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE THIS CREAMY MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE (aka PIG PICKIN CAKE) BELOW! For more video recipes, subscribe to my YouTube channel: Mr. B Cooks.

Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe: Easter Sunshine Cake

Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe (Sunshine Cake)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 12 -14

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Dry:

• 2 ½ Cups Flour
• 2 ½ TSP Baking Powder
• 1 Pinch Salt
• 1 ⅓ Cup Sugar

Wet:

• 1 ½ TSP Vanilla
• ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
• 4 Eggs
• 11 OZ Mandarin Oranges
• ⅓ Cup Mandarin Oranges Juice from can

Frosting:

• 3 ½ OZ Boxed Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 20 OZ Canned Crushed Pineapple
• 8 OZ Cool Whip

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Butter 2 x 9 inch round pans
3. In mixing bowl combine dry ingredients and whisk
4. Add wet ingredients and mix until smooth
5. Pour 1/2 batter into each of the cake pans
6. Bake for 20 Minutes
7. Rest in pans for 10 minutes
8. Cut top off one of the two cakes
9. Cover top with frosting
10. Add second cake and frost entire cake
11. Take a couple of Mandarin oranges and top cake in a decorative fashion
12. Serve and enjoy