Pig Pickin’ Cake

Pig Pickin’ Cake: What the HECK is that? The name of this cake alone confuses everyone who weren’t born in the South. Is there pork inside of it…. Is this cake for pigs? Of course NOT!! However, how this cake got its name is just as interesting as the cake itself. This simple, traditional dessert was born in the South, but different variations have found their way into homes all over the country. Here’s everything you need to know about Pig Pickin’ Cake

Pig Pickin’ Cake is a traditional Southern dessert that is often eaten at barbecues, picnics, or church gatherings. A vanilla cake batter is tossed with mandarin oranges which help keep the cake moist and add a sweet citrus flavor. Once baked, the cake is traditionally topped with a whipped frosting that includes chunks of pineapple and its juice.

Most of the recipes for Pig Pickin’ Cake include one box of yellow cake mix, canned mandarin oranges, eggs, and butter or vegetable oil. Canned crushed pineapple, whipped topping, and instant vanilla pudding make up the sweet frosting. Some people like myself like to add vanilla extract to the batter for more pronounced flavors. I also like to top the whip topping with extra seasonal fruit to give it the extra punch of tastiness.

This cake has NO actual pig inside of it!! It appears that the cake’s nickname came from being commonly served during barbecues where an entire pig was being roasted.

The Southern specialty got its name because it was very common at pig roasts and barbecues. Guests “picked” the tender meat off the cooked pig, which is how a Southern barbecue became known as a “pig pickin’.”

Macaroni & cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and “slaw” for cold-slaw were usually served alongside the roasted pork at pig pickin’s. This mandarin orange cake became a regular on the dessert table of most Southern pig roasts too. It wasn’t long before the nickname stuck.