The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, guys. Mark my words, these blue squares are going to be on my wall for at least a year. I was visiting my sister in Texas a few weeks ago and noticed a little tan spot right smack in the middle of her kitchen wall. “Thinking about painting?” “Yup. I painted that 2 years ago.” 😂 Guess what, they all look blue. I have ZERO vision when it comes to interior decorating. I won’t know which one I hate the most until I’ve painted the entire room that color, and then it will be too late, and of course I won’t be invested enough to fix it. I will have the blue room that I wanted, only slightly-off, like the Upside Down in Stranger Things. People will walk in and silently judge me. “This is the color she chose for her bedroom??” One time years and years ago, my mom was painting the hallways of the entire house. She chose a slightly different shade of off-white from the previous off-white. She ran out of paint right over the top of her bedroom door. There was a tiny strip of wall about 2-3 feet long that she didn’t have enough to cover. And she just said, heck with it. I’m out. The two toned paint is still there to this day. It’s not that noticeable of course, you kind of have to know about it to be able to tell. Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram Which meant that EVERY time I passed through her kitchen I would stop at the fridge with a new fork and grab myself a lil bite. (“I think I need a little treat!” a dangerous concept indeed.) For some reason a tupperware of kinda-smashed cake is a lot easier to steal from than a gorgeous layered cake under a glass dome. No regrets, it was so good. (And sorry I ate all the cake, Laura.) It’s a very simple recipe that is light and bright and not at all heavy. I love this cake because it almost feels like a trifle with all the layers! The cake only has a few ingredients since it’s a doctored cake mix (which means minimal prep time!). But I wanted to amp up the pineapple flavor so I decided to try adding ground up freeze-dried pineapple to the whipped cream. Whaaaat yes, it is so good my friends. If you know you’re going to have trouble finding freeze dried pineapples, don’t sweat it. This cake is so good the traditional way. I just couldn’t help it, pineapple is my favorite fruit! This cake somehow became the traditional mascot dessert for pig-pickin parties. I can see why. I’m sure these parties were all going on in the heat of the summer, and this cake is the perfect dessert for a hot and sticky BBQ! I actually call it Sunshine Cake most of the time. Because I mean, just look at this edible sunshine!!
double the mandarin oranges no mandarin orange syrup; most recipes add in the heavy syrup from the can but I just replaced it with MORE MANDARIN yes please. real whipping cream instead of cool whip. this is a no brainer, duh. freeze dried pineapple, buzzed into a powder and added to the whipped cream. IT’S SO GOOD!! Praise Jesus for this modern age of intense fruit flavors in baked goods. All hail the freeze dried fruit hack. Adding dried sugared mandarin oranges to the top of the cake takes it to a WHOLE new level, more on that later!
And beat it up like so. You’re gonna feel weird doing this but I promise it works. The mandarins are so tender, they break down easily from the beaters. Then divide the cake into four cake pans. If you don’t have four pans, just pour batter into two pans and you can split the cakes once they are baked. While the cakes are baking (which goes so fast since they are so thin) make up the whipped topping. Start with the freeze dried pineapple, if you have it! Totally optional. I found it at Whole Foods, but you can also get it online. Powdered flavor, right here!! Give it a taste. So good. Meanwhile, softly whip your cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer. Once soft peaks have formed, add in the vanilla instant pudding mix. This serves two purposes: it provides some of the classic sweet “pudding” flavor for this cake, but more importantly, the starch in the pudding mix serves as a stabilizer, meaning your whipped cream is going to stay cloud-like and dreamy, even when smashed in between layers of cake. No need to fold it with a spatula; just keep using the mixer. And voila! Stable whipped cream! Even when you dump an entire can of crushed pineapple (with the juice!) into said whipped cream. What!! Yes really. Don’t forget to add in the freeze dried pineapple powder at this point, if you have it. It really amps up the flavor! Once your cakes have cooled, place the first one on your serving platter or cake stand. See how delectably thin they are?? I love it. Add about 1/4 of the pineapple whipped cream on top and spread to the edges, but not down the sides. Keep going, adding the next cake and then the next layer of whipped cream. And that’s it! I think this cake is pretty just as it is, but if you want you can add orange slices, mandarin orange slices, or chamomile flowers on top. (don’t eat the flowers 😂) One ingredient that I decided to add on top last minute, were chopped up dried mandarin oranges as garnish. Have you had these from Trader Joe’s? You can get them online too. I’m obsessed. Totally unnecessary as a cake garnish, and kind of changes the lightness vibe of the cake (adds a decent amount of chew) but I really loved it. That’s it! She’s ready for the Pig Pickin’ Party! You can serve it right away or refrigerate it and serve the cooled cake later.
BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork (on a Gas Grill) or Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (Oven Roasted Option) » you may not be able to roast a whole hog, but this pulled pork is the best and would be perfect with pig pickin’ cake! Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe » so easy, for the best flavorful grilled chicken all summer long Tri Tip Steak (Grilled or Oven-Roasted) » a family favorite recipe that’s easier than you think! Best EVER Potato Salad » is it even a cookout without potato salad? I mean, c’mon Fresh Coleslaw (with Lemon and Herbs!) » light and bright and SO much better than most because of all the herbs Virgin Pina Colada » the best hot summer drink invented, fight me Brazilian Lemonade Recipe (Brazilian Limeade) » so refreshing, and SO easy to make For even more ideas, visit my Fourth of July, Memorial Day & Labor Day page » basically ALL the recipes for bbq and cooking out! Grilled Chicken Wings from Chiles and Smoke Grilled Veggie Skewers with Balsamic Glaze from Lite Cravings
If you don’t, you can either cut the cake into smaller pieces and transfer them to airtight containers, or stick toothpicks all around the top of the cake and carefully cover with plastic wrap so the plastic doesn’t stick to the topping. If you transfer to tupperware, just be aware that it may squish together a bit since it is such a moist cake. This is not an apology, because all the flavors come together and it ends up tasting like an amazing trifle! Not ideal for serving at an event, but absolutely ideal for nabbing a forkful with every kitchen pass-through for days on end. If I were trying to make this in advance for later, I would make and freeze just the cake portion. Then, thaw the cake pieces in the refrigerator and make the topping fresh, and assemble.
Blackberry Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting » somewhat similar to this recipe, with a jello packet mixed right into a yellow cake mix,. You will not believe the color of this batter, looks like bubble gum. So moist and flavorful, I love this cake. The Easiest Mixed Berry Cobbler Recipe You’ll Ever Make » you’ll never find one easier than this, and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream it’s summer dessert perfection Best Key Lime Pie » packs the best kind of lime punch, promise No Bake Cherry Cream Cheese Pie » the easiest no bake cream cheese pie in all the land How to make Strawberry Shortcake » a classic, just like grandma made Lemon Lush Dessert » easy, refreshingly smooth, and feeds a crowd No Bake Frozen Peanut Butter Pie with Hot Fudge » not fruit, but frozen heaven on a hot summer night Strawberry Pretzel Salad from Crazy for Crust 10 Minute Berry Tiramisu from Bigger Bolder Baking
