Name: Orange Pineapple Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cake Batter:; 1 box yellow cake or butter cake mix; 1/2 cup oil; 1- 15-ounce can of mandarin oranges with juice; 1/4 cup sugar; 4 eggs; Frosting:; 3 cups of whipped topping (I usually buy 2 - 8 ounce tubs and use 1 and a half of the other); 1 small 3.4-ounce package of instant French vanilla or regular vanilla instant pudding; 1 - 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple drained

Orange Pineapple Cake is a light, citrus-topped, fruity-tasting cake that just shouts warmer weather and brings just a bit of sunshine to the table.

Everyone who tastes this cake loves it, even the pineapple haters, and it's perfect for that neighborhood potluck party or that last-minute dinner invite from friends and family.

The recipe is super easy to make, and it starts with using any brand of cake mix!

Then with those tiny little mandarin oranges, pineapple, and that fluffy whipping frosting using instant pudding, it's an unforgettable cake with that first bite.

The cake can be made in layers, a sheet pan, or even a bundt pan; just the times for baking will need adjusting.

If you like doctored cake mix recipes, you may also like to try our Jailhouse Rock Cake, one of Elvis Presley's favorite cakes when he was alive.

This orange pineapple cake is one of the summer's refreshing desserts. Save this recipe for your next backyard barbecue; it's the perfect ending to that great picnic outing.

Just scroll to the bottom to print off the recipe if you're not interested in the tips and suggestions below.

this is an orange pineapple doctored cake mix cake

Why Make This Recipe for Orange Pineapple Cake

Convenience: You can have the cake prepped for the oven in about 10 to 15 minutes. It typically requires just one bowl, and zero baking skills are needed.
Deliciously Moist: Boxed mixes are made to achieve perfect results in the moisture ratio. In this recipe, the syrup from canned mandarin oranges or the juice from crushed pineapple often replaces the water called for on the box, infusing the crumb with deep fruit flavor for extra moisture.
Fool-Proof Texture: This cake is airy and not too heavy. Additions like whole fruit segments are folded in.
Versatile "Doctored" Base: A standard Yellow Cake Mix or Butter Cake Mix provides a neutral, buttery backdrop that lets the bright citrus and tropical pineapple shine without competing flavors.

Alternative Easy Cake Mix Flavors

Lemon-Blueberry: Use a Lemon cake mix and replace the pineapple with a can of blueberry pie filling or fresh blueberries with lemon juice.
Strawberry Lemonade: Combine a Strawberry cake mix with lemon curd or a can of frozen pink lemonade concentrate (thawed).
Tropical & Exotic Piña Colada: Use a Yellow or White cake mix. Keep the crushed pineapple, but swap the orange elements for coconut milk and a handful of shredded coconut.
Key Lime Coconut: Use a White cake mix, add key lime juice and zest, and mix in a small can of cream of coconut
Mango Tango: Use a Yellow cake mix and replace the pineapple with mango purée or finely diced canned mangoes
Dump Cake Recipe:
Cherry Chocolate: Chocolate cake mix on top of two cans of cherry pie filling.
Caramel Apple: Yellow cake mix on top of apple pie filling, drizzled with caramel sauce before baking.
Peach Melba: White cake mix over canned peaches and frozen raspberries

ingredients to make orange pineapple cake

Tips and Suggestions:

make a triple-layer cake with 3- 8inch pans or use one of our other suggestions
drain the pineapple juice, not the mandarin oranges
any fruit can be used as mentioned
add coconut to the cake for another tropical-tasting cake
use whipped real cream instead of whipped topping
chopped raisins are a nice garnish
cool the filling and cake completely before adding the frosting
for a thinner frosting add a little bit of pineapple juice to the instant pudding frosting
refrigerate leftovers covered

Pans to Use (just use the package instructions for time):

Sheet cake: 13 x 9, around 25 to 30 minutes
Bundt pan: 9 inches, around 45 to 50 minutes
Round pans: 2- 9-inch, around 20 to 25 minutes
Note: Use the toothpick method (place in the cake when it comes out clean, the cake is cooked)

Fruit Substitutions and Mix-in Alternatives

Mango
Bananas
Blood oranges
Peaches, chopped fresh or canned, drained
Sweetened shredded coconut
Chopped pecans or walnuts
White chocolate chips
Mandarin orange segments
Maraschino cherries
Dried cranberries for holiday flair
Mini marshmallows for a retro-style dessert salad cake
Cream cheese swirls
Banana slices for a tropical twist
Rum extract for island-inspired flavor

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Make The Best Orange Pineapple Cake

Perfect for potlucks, spring brunches, holiday dessert tables, summer cookouts, or anytime you need a simple crowd-pleasing cake, this recipe delivers bakery-style flavor with very little effort.

Moist, fruity, sweet, and full of bright citrus flavor, this cake combines juicy pineapple with refreshing orange for a tropical-inspired dessert that feels both nostalgic and refreshing.