True story.
Normally I'm not a fan of using too many processed ingredients. But I've been eating this cake since I was a kid (mostly at various potluck dinners), and old habits die hard. Someday I may restructure this recipe to use more natural ingredients, but for now I'm sticking with what works. Since this is only a once in a while treat, I don't feel too guilty.
 |
| Piggy Cake |
I love this recipe in the summertime because it's light and refreshing without being too sweet. It's also excellent for a crowd, and can be made in advance (in fact, it's better when made the day before!). Are you ready to make your own? I thought so.
 |
| The ingredients |
Now that we're living in Germany, I've had a hard time finding some of my preferred brands. I had to make a few substitutions, but it worked out ok.
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine 1 box of yellow cake mix (I prefer Pillsbury, but Betty Crocker did ok), 1 stick of softened butter, 4 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ cup mandarin orange juice (reserved from a 14 oz. can of mandarin oranges). Beat on medium speed for 4 minutes, until well combined. Then, add in the mandarin oranges and beat until the pieces are broken up and small.
.jpg) |
| Mixing the batter |
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and set. Cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
While the cake is cooling, make the icing. Drain the juice from a 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple. Blend the juice together with 1 package (4 ounces) of instant vanilla pudding mix. To that, add ½ cup powdered sugar and blend. Fold in 6 ounces of Cool Whip, then stir in the crushed pineapple.
 |
| Folding in the whipped topping |
Once your cake is completely cool, remove it from the pan and spread the icing over the top, allowing it to drip down the edges of the cake. Refrigerate for at least several hours. When I'm making this cake, I prefer to make it the night before. The icing sets up better after an evening in the fridge.
When you're ready to serve, use some extra mandarin oranges to garnish each slice of cake. Be prepared to accept compliments!
Pay no attention to the missing piece of cake from that top picture!! The Hubs did it, I swear. Ahem.
ANYWAY.
I hope you enjoy this cake. I like eating the leftovers, if there are any, for breakfast. Hey, it's got fruit in it! As always, the standard recipe is below. Until next peeps, happy cooking…
The Standard Form:
Once ready to serve, garnish each piece with a mandarin orange slice. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Piggy Cake
Ingredients:
For the cake:
1 box yellow cake mix (I prefer Pillsbury)
1 stick butter, softened
1 can (14 oz) mandarin oranges, drained with the juice
reserved
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
1 package (4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
½ cups powdered sugar
6 ounces frozen whipped topping, softened in the fridge
Extra mandarin oranges, for garnish
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, butter, ½ cup of
the reserved mandarin orange juice, eggs, and vanilla. Beat 4 minutes on
medium-high speed, then add the drained oranges and beat again, until the
pieces are broken up and small. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9x13
pan.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and set. Remove
cake from the oven and cool completely
in the pan set on a wire rack. Turn the cake onto a serving plate before icing.
Once the cake is cool, blend the juice from the drained
pineapples with the vanilla pudding mix. Add the powdered sugar and blend, then
fold in the whipped cream topping. Stir in the drained pineapple. Spread this
mix onto the cooled cake and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Once ready to serve, garnish each piece with a mandarin orange slice. Store leftovers in the fridge.
No comments:
Post a Comment