Mandarin Orange Cake with Sweet Citrus Glaze

If you enjoy quick and crowd-pleasing desserts made from pantry staples, this mandarin orange cake is a great choice. It offers a pleasant contrast of bright citrus flavor and creamy pineapple topping, and it comes together with minimal effort.

• Tropical flavor with balanced texture. The cake is light and moist, while the frosting adds a fresh pineapple creaminess. The mandarin segments give bursts of citrus that complement the cake perfectly.
• Simple ingredients and easy prep. You’ll use a boxed cake mix combined with common pantry items—eggs, oil, butter, canned mandarin oranges, instant pudding mix, crushed pineapple, and thawed whipped topping—so the recipe requires just two bowls and a whisk.
• Great for gatherings. This cake is ideal for potlucks and family gatherings and has a nostalgic creamsicle-like flavor that many people love.

Below are the ingredients needed to make the mandarin orange cake and the pineapple frosting.

Mandarin Cake ingredients: yellow cake mix, melted butter, neutral oil, eggs, and canned mandarin oranges (including the juice).

Pineapple frosting: crushed pineapple with its juice, instant vanilla pudding mix, vanilla extract, and thawed whipped topping.

This recipe is flexible. Here are practical substitutions if needed:

• Cake mix: Yellow cake mix is suggested, but vanilla, white, or pineapple cake mix will also work.
• Oil and butter: Use any neutral baking oil (vegetable, canola, or grapeseed) and your preferred butter.
• Eggs: The recipe uses eggs; it hasn’t been tested without them.
• Mandarin oranges: Use a 15–16 oz can of mandarin oranges. If you need more for topping, open a second can.
• Crushed pineapple: Canned crushed pineapple is convenient; fresh pineapple can be used if processed to a crushed consistency.
• Pudding mix: Instant vanilla pudding is recommended. Lemon or coconut cream pudding could also pair nicely with mandarin oranges.
• Whipped topping: Thawed Cool Whip is used for convenience; stabilized homemade whipped cream works as an alternative.

Follow these straightforward steps to bake and finish the mandarin orange cake.

1. Preheat oven: Heat oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan and line the bottom and long sides with parchment paper. Open the mandarin oranges and reserve about 15 slices for garnish.
2. Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup neutral oil, 4 large room-temperature eggs, the entire can of mandarin oranges (including the juice), and 15.25 oz yellow cake mix until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake: Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Lift the cake using the parchment, remove the paper, and return the cake to the pan or a serving platter. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.
4. Prepare the frosting: While the cake cools, combine 15 oz canned crushed pineapple (with juice), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix in a large bowl. Beat 2–3 minutes until thickened, then fold in 8 oz thawed whipped topping until fully combined.
5. Assemble: Spread the pineapple frosting over the chilled cake. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Before serving, arrange the reserved mandarin slices across the top, slice, and enjoy.

Storage, Freezing, and Serving

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Bake the cake and cool it completely but do not frost it. Wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Freeze up to 2 months.
• Thaw: Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Add the pineapple frosting just before serving for best texture.

Yes. Substitute a gluten-free boxed cake mix or use a homemade gluten-free cake base.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If freezing, wait to add frosting until after thawing.

Yes. Adjust baking time according to the pan size and cake mix recommendations.