Ingredients
For the cake:
14 ounce can mandarin oranges (1/2 cup juice reserved, drain the rest)
15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), softened to room temperature
1/2 cup mandarin orange juice
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
20 ounce can crushed pineapple (3/4 cup juice reserved, drain the rest really well)
3/4 cup juice from the crushed pineapple
4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix
½ cup powdered sugar
4 ounces Cool Whip (whipped topping) (half a regular tub)
extra mandarin orange slices, for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Drain the can of mandarin oranges, setting aside 1/2 cup of the juice (discard the rest of the juice).
For the cake: combine 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix, 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), 1/2 cup mandarin orange juice, 4 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat for 3-4 minutes on medium-high.
Add drained 14 ounce can mandarin oranges and gently stir until combined (leaving some of the oranges chunky).
Spread batter into prepared baking dish and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (oven times can vary).
For the frosting:
Drain the can of crushed pineapples very well, set ting aside 3/4 cups of the juice (discard the rest of the juice).
Once cake is cool, in a bowl, stir together 3/4 cup juice from the crushed pineapple with 4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding mix.
Stir in ½ cup powdered sugar. Then fold in 4 ounces Cool Whip (whipped topping).
Finally, stir in drained 20 ounce can crushed pineapple. Note: if your frosting seems a bit too “liquidy” just add in a little more of the Cool Whip until you get a stiffer consistency.
Spread frosting on cooled cake. To help the frosting finish setting up, place cake into the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours before slicing.
When cooled, slice cake into 12 pieces (while in the pan) and then top each slice with extra mandarin orange slices,. Note: I like to put the cake into the refrigerator for about an hour to help set up the frosting.
