I love an easy recipe! Even though I shouldn’t admit it, if I read through a recipe and it has too many steps…I move on. This recipe for Mandarin Orange Cake is so easy that even a compete novice can’t mess it up. And it’s delicious….does it get any better than that?
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I got this recipe years ago from a teacher friend of mine. Betty taught across the hall from me and was a wonderful cook. I was newly married to a man who was such a marvelous cook that I always felt like a slacker in the kitchen. No matter what the dish, Jungle Jim could cook it better than I could. While that doesn’t bother me any more (I’ve learned to appreciate it), it bothered me quite a lot as a young wife.
Betty brought this cake to the teacher’s lounge one day. Needless to say, it was a hit. When I asked her about the recipe she told me how easy it was and I knew it was a recipe I needed. She was kind enough to share it and I’ve been making it ever since.
And Jungle Jim loves it. Funny thing is that even though Jungle Jim is a great cook, he very seldom bakes (unless it’s bread). Give Betty’s recipe a try and see if it becomes a staple in your your cooking repertoire.
Mandarin Orange Cake Recipe
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 medium eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 small can mandarin oranges ((with juice))
- 1 small box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 20 oz crushed pineapple ((with juice))
- 1 8-oz Cool Whip
- Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes.
- Add mandarin oranges and juice and fold in by hand (so oranges don’t get pulverized!)
- Pour in 9×13 pan sprayed with PAM. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick. Remove from oven when inserted tooth pick comes out clean.
- Icing: Combine all ingredients together and spread on cake. Refrigerate cake before and after serving.
Cake may be made with 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of water as a substitution for the 4 eggs.
I always substitute applesauce for the oil when I’m baking (unless I just don’t have any applesauce in the house). I find that applesauce works just as well and it saves a few calories which none of us at my house need.
Another favorite cake at our house is Simply Superb Oatmeal Cake. But if you’re looking for something a little with a little more “Wow!” factor, check Cherpumple Cake from Marilyn at Marilyn’s Treats. And be sure to check out 8 Must Have Kitchen Items to find out what must be in my kitchen to make me a happy cook.
If you like this recipe, I’d love it if you added it to your favorite Pinterest board or shared it on your Facebook page.
So who’s the best cook at your house?
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
April 29, 2017 at 4:53 pmSorry it took so long to visit – I’ve been off on vacation! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Lisa
April 2, 2017 at 5:17 pmMy husband doesn’t really like chocolate ( I know, what’s wrong with him?) so I am always looking for easy chocolate-free desserts. This looks like something he would enjoy and it appears to be super easy to make to boot. Win! Win!
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April 3, 2017 at 12:22 pmHi Lisa! I have a son who doesn’t like chocolate either so I get it (well, not really – I can’t imagine not liking chocolate!). Let me know what you think about this cake. I also frequently make a version of it where I poke holes in it and pour orange hello into it before adding the icing and them let it set i the refrigerator. The jello gives it some added orange “oomph” that we really like. We love it that way too!