Gluten-Free Easy Pineapple Orange Layer Cake
A moist three-layer cake featuring yellow cake mix enhanced with mandarin oranges and topped with a creamy pineapple whipped cream frosting. The combination of citrus fruit in the batter and tropical pineapple in the frosting creates a refreshing dessert perfect for summer gatherings or potluck dinners. This simplified version uses cake mix and instant pudding to deliver impressive results without extensive baking skills, making it ideal for busy home bakers who want a show-stopping cake.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mixwhite cake mix1:1dietary
neutral flavor
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 11 oz can mandarin oranges, undrained
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 3.5 oz package instant vanilla pudding
- 2 cups heavy cream
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour 3 round cake pans
- 2
Beat cake mix, vegetable oil, mandarin oranges with juice, eggs and sour cream until well blended
- 3
Divide batter among prepared pans and bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
- 4
Cool cakes completely
- 5
Combine crushed pineapple with juice and instant vanilla pudding in medium bowl
- 6
Beat heavy cream with electric mixer until soft peaks form
- 7
Fold pineapple mixture into whipped cream to combine
- 8
Frost between each layer and top and sides of cake with pineapple whipped cream mixture
- 9
Refrigerate cake until ready to serve
Tips
Use room temperature eggs and sour cream for better mixing and a more tender cake texture.
Don't overmix the batter once ingredients are combined to avoid a tough cake.
Make sure cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the whipped cream from melting.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days
Can be assembled 1 day ahead and refrigerated
Serve chilled directly from refrigerator
Common Mistakes
Don't skip greasing and flouring pans to avoid sticking
Avoid overbeating the whipped cream to prevent it from becoming butter
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
neutral flavor
FAQ
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
Fresh mandarin segments and crushed pineapple work but drain excess juice and add 2-3 tablespoons back to maintain moisture in the cake batter.
How long will this cake keep?
The assembled cake keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days covered, but is best served within 2 days for optimal texture.
Can I freeze this cake?
The unfrosted cake layers can be frozen for up to 3 months wrapped tightly, but don't freeze the assembled cake as the whipped cream frosting doesn't freeze well.