Tropical Delight Cake with Citrus Pineapple Frosting
This luscious Tropical Delight Cake with Citrus Pineapple Frosting is a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. With its moist, flavorful layers infused with mandarin oranges and complemented by a light, fluffy pineapple frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet. Even if you're not fond of mandarin oranges, this cake promises a delightful surprise with every bite. The marriage of tropical fruits, velvety pudding, and crunchy pecans creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Give it a try for your next special occasion!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yellow cake mix
1 box (none)
Eggs
4 (none)
Oil
1/2 cup (none)
Mandarin oranges
1 can (11 ounces) (coarsely chopped, with juice)
Pecans
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
Cool Whip
1 container (12 ounces) (thawed)
Instant vanilla pudding
1 package (3 1/2 ounces) (none)
Crushed pineapple
1 can (20 ounces) (drained well)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the yellow cake mix box.
2
Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, mandarin oranges (along with their juice), and chopped pecans. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed for about 4 minutes, or until well combined and smooth.
4
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven according to the time specified on the cake mix box, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6
For the frosting, in a medium bowl, gently fold together the thawed Cool Whip, instant vanilla pudding mix, and well-drained crushed pineapple until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
7
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
8
Refrigerate the frosted cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Delight Cake with Citrus Pineapple Frosting?
It is a moist, flavorful cake infused with mandarin oranges and pecans, topped with a light and fluffy frosting made from Cool Whip, vanilla pudding, and crushed pineapple.
How many servings does this cake recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What kind of cake mix is required?
One box of yellow cake mix is used for this recipe.
How many eggs are needed for the batter?
The recipe calls for 4 eggs.
Do I need to drain the mandarin oranges before adding them to the batter?
No, you should use the 11-ounce can of mandarin oranges along with their juice.
What size pan should I use to bake the cake?
A 9x13-inch baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The pecans should be coarsely chopped before being added to the batter.
How long should I beat the cake batter?
Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed for about 4 minutes until smooth.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
Preheat your oven according to the specific instructions provided on the yellow cake mix box.
How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?
Lightly coat the 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
How can I tell if the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How should the cake be cooled?
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
What ingredients are in the citrus pineapple frosting?
The frosting consists of 12 ounces of thawed Cool Whip, a 3.5-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding mix, and a 20-ounce can of well-drained crushed pineapple.
Should the crushed pineapple for the frosting be drained?
Yes, the 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple must be well-drained before mixing.
What type of pudding mix is used for the frosting?
One 3.5-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding mix is used.
Do I prepare the pudding before adding it to the frosting?
No, you fold the dry instant pudding mix directly into the Cool Whip and pineapple.
How should the Cool Whip be prepared?
The Cool Whip should be completely thawed before being used in the frosting.
What is the best way to combine the frosting ingredients?
Gently fold the Cool Whip, pudding mix, and pineapple together in a medium bowl until the mixture is smooth.
Can I frost the cake while it is still warm?
No, the cake must be completely cooled before you spread the frosting over the top.
How long should the cake be refrigerated before serving?
Refrigerate the frosted cake for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the frosting to set.
What is the flavor profile of the frosting?
It is described as a light, fluffy pineapple frosting that balances tart and sweet notes.
Is this cake suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is recommended for gatherings, parties, and holidays like Easter.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include tropical, mandarin oranges, pineapple, easy dessert, cake, easter, party dessert, fruity cake, and pudding frosting.
How much oil is required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of oil.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 8 total ingredients.
What if I don't like mandarin oranges?
The recipe description suggests that even those not fond of mandarin oranges will be delightfully surprised by the flavor.
Is there a specific serving size mentioned?
The recipe yields 12 servings, but a specific weight or measurement per serving is not provided.
Can I use a different type of pudding?
The recipe specifically calls for instant vanilla pudding to achieve the intended flavor and set.
What is the texture of the cake?
The cake has moist, flavorful layers with a melt-in-your-mouth experience due to the fruit and pudding elements.
What kind of oil should I use?
The recipe mentions 'oil,' which typically refers to a neutral vegetable or canola oil used in baking.