{"id":4752,"date":"2025-06-29T13:32:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T13:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/?p=4752"},"modified":"2025-06-29T13:32:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T13:32:55","slug":"the-classic-pig-pickin-cake-a-southern-delight-thats-more-than-just-a-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/29\/the-classic-pig-pickin-cake-a-southern-delight-thats-more-than-just-a-name\/","title":{"rendered":"The Classic Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake: A Southern Delight That\u2019s More Than Just a Name"},"content":{"rendered":"

Light, fruity, and filled with Southern charm\u2014this nostalgic dessert will steal the show at any gathering.<\/h3>\n

\ud83c\udfe1 Introduction: A Cake with a Quirky Name and a Rich Tradition<\/h2>\n

In the warm embrace of the American South, traditions are passed down not just through stories\u2014but through food. And when it comes to classic Southern desserts, few are as beloved or as curiously named as the Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake<\/strong>. This vibrant, citrusy cake is a mainstay at backyard barbecues, church picnics, and\u2014yes\u2014pig pickin\u2019s<\/strong>: Southern gatherings centered around a whole roasted pig.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t let the name fool you\u2014there\u2019s no pork<\/strong> in this cake. It simply earned its name by being the dessert of choice at these events, perfectly complementing the savory, smoky meat with its light and fruity flavor.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf1e What Makes Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake So Special?<\/h2>\n

The magic of Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake<\/strong> lies in its simplicity and sunshine-bright flavor. It\u2019s:<\/p>\n

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    \u2728 Light and fluffy<\/strong>, thanks to whipped topping<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    \ud83c\udf4a Citrusy and refreshing<\/strong>, thanks to mandarin oranges and pineapple<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    \ud83e\uddc1 Easy to make<\/strong>, with a boxed cake mix base<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    \ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udc67\u200d\ud83d\udc66 Family-friendly<\/strong>, perfect for potlucks and picnics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    \ud83d\udd01 Make-ahead friendly<\/strong>, since the flavor improves after chilling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \ud83e\uddc1 Ingredients<\/h2>\n

    For the Cake:<\/h3>\n
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      1 box yellow cake mix<\/strong> (15.25 oz)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      \u00bd cup vegetable oil<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      4 large eggs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges<\/strong>, with juice<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      For the Frosting:<\/h3>\n
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        1 container (8 oz) whipped topping<\/strong>(such as Cool Whip), thawed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple<\/strong>, undrained<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udf73 How to Make Classic Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake<\/h2>\n

        Step 1: Preheat and Prep<\/h3>\n

        Preheat your oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C)<\/strong>. Grease and flour two 9-inch round<\/strong> cake pans (or a 9\u00d713-inch dish for a sheet cake version).<\/p>\n

        Step 2: Make the Cake Batter<\/h3>\n

        In a large mixing bowl, combine:<\/p>\n

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          Yellow cake mix<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Vegetable oil<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Eggs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Mandarin oranges with juice<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Mix on medium speed until smooth. Don\u2019t overmix\u2014just enough to combine the ingredients and break up the orange slices.<\/p>\n

          Step 3: Bake the Cake<\/h3>\n

          Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 25\u201330 minutes<\/strong>, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.<\/p>\n

          Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.<\/p>\n

          Step 4: Prepare the Frosting<\/h3>\n

          In another bowl, mix:<\/p>\n

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            Crushed pineapple (with juice)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Instant vanilla pudding mix<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, then fold in the whipped topping<\/strong> until fully combined.<\/p>\n

            Step 5: Assemble and Chill<\/h3>\n

            Spread the frosting over the cooled cake layers. You can layer the cake for a more elegant presentation or frost it as a sheet cake for a simpler look.<\/p>\n

            Refrigerate for at least 2\u20133 hours<\/strong>, or overnight for best flavor.<\/p>\n

            \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Serving Suggestions<\/h2>\n
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              Garnish with extra mandarin oranges<\/strong> or pineapple slices<\/strong> for a decorative touch.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Serve chilled for the most refreshing taste.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              This cake pairs beautifully with BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or fried chicken at a summer picnic or Sunday dinner.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \ud83d\udca1 Tips & Variations<\/h2>\n
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                Make it tropical<\/strong>: Add shredded coconut or a splash of coconut extract to the frosting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                Use butter cake mix<\/strong> for extra richness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                Layered trifle version<\/strong>: Cube the cake and layer it in a trifle dish with the frosting and fruit for a fun presentation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Light, fruity, and filled with Southern charm\u2014this nostalgic dessert will steal the show at any gathering. \ud83c\udfe1 Introduction: A Cake…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"The Classic Pig Pickin\u2019 Cake: A Southern Delight That\u2019s More Than Just a Name - Grandma Baking Recipes","description":"Light, fruity, and filled with Southern charm\u2014this nostalgic dessert will steal the show at any gathering. \ud83c\udfe1 Introduction: A Cake with a Quirky Name and a Rich"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4752"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4754,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752\/revisions\/4754"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breckas.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}