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A cool and creamy Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake is studded with oranges and soaked in three milks then topped with whipped cream mixed with crushed pineapple for one fabulous luscious dessert everyone will love!

This is a take on my all-time favorite cake, Pig Pickin’ Cake. If you’ve never had it before, let me explain. Here in the South, a pig pickin’ is exactly what it sounds like. My grandparents would host a huge get-together where everyone spent the day swimming, laughing, and visiting while the men roasted a whole pig. Once it was finished, everyone lined up with their plates and picked their favorite pieces of pork before settling in for one incredible meal.

It was also tradition for someone to bring Pig Pickin’ Cake. It’s a simple yellow cake made with mandarin oranges and topped with a light whipped topping mixed with crushed pineapple. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember, and it’s been my birthday cake of choice my entire life.

Years later I discovered Tres Leches Cake after watching Ree Drummond make one on The Pioneer Woman. One bite and both my grandma and I were hooked. It was cool, creamy, unbelievably moist, and completely different from anything we’d had before.

Somewhere along the way I had the idea to combine the two desserts, and honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long. The citrusy flavors of Pig Pickin’ Cake and the rich creaminess of Tres Leches Cake were made for each other. The result is this Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake, and it just might be one of my favorite desserts I’ve ever made.

Now, before the internet comes after me, yes—I know this isn’t a traditional tres leches cake. It’s a fun Southern-inspired twist on the classic. And yes, I use Cool Whip because that’s how Pig Pickin’ Cake has always been made in my family. If homemade whipped cream is more your style, go for it! But I’ll happily admit I’ve been known to eat Cool Whip straight from the tub, so I’m sticking with tradition.

What Is Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake?

Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake combines two beloved desserts into one unforgettable treat. It starts with a soft yellow cake filled with sweet mandarin oranges, then gets soaked in a rich mixture of three milks before being topped with the classic Pig Pickin’ Cake frosting made with whipped topping and crushed pineapple. It’s light, fruity, creamy, and incredibly refreshing, making it perfect for everything from birthdays and potlucks to summer cookouts and holiday dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with a boxed cake mix.
• A fun twist on two classic desserts.
• Cool, creamy, and full of citrus flavor.
• Perfect for making ahead.
• Great for potlucks, holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings.
• Even better after chilling overnight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Instead of a long ingredient list, give each important ingredient a quick explanation.

Yellow Cake Mix

A boxed yellow cake mix keeps this recipe simple while creating the perfect base for soaking up all that creamy goodness.

Mandarin Oranges

These add sweetness and are what give classic Pig Pickin’ Cake its signature flavor.

The Three Milks

Heavy cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk create the rich, creamy soak that makes every bite incredibly moist.

Cool Whip & Crushed Pineapple

This classic topping keeps the cake light, fluffy, and full of tropical flavor.

How to Make Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake

Making this cake is surprisingly easy, and using a boxed cake mix keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor. Once the cake is baked, it’s soaked in a rich three-milk mixture before being topped with the classic pineapple whipped topping that makes Pig Pickin’ Cake so special.

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the package directions. Gently fold about ½ cup of the drained mandarin oranges into the batter, breaking them up slightly as you stir. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake according to the package directions, about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 2: Prepare the Milk Mixture

While the cake cools, whisk together the heavy cream, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk until completely combined.

Step 3: Soak the Cake

Once the cake has cooled, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, giving it time to soak into every hole.

Step 4: Make the Topping

In a large bowl, gently fold the drained crushed pineapple into the Cool Whip until well combined.

Step 5: Frost the Cake

Spread the pineapple topping evenly over the soaked cake. Arrange the remaining mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries over the top for a beautiful finishing touch.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better. This gives the cake plenty of time to soak up all the creamy goodness before serving.

Tips for the Best Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake

• Let the cake cool before pouring on the milk mixture.
• Poke lots of holes so every bite soaks up the creamy mixture.
• Drain both the pineapple and mandarin oranges well.
• Chill the cake for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better.
• Serve cold straight from the refrigerator for the best texture.

Variations

• Use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut over the top.
• Add orange zest for even more citrus flavor.
• Garnish with extra cherries and mandarin oranges for a beautiful presentation.

What to Serve With Pig Pickin’ Tres Leches Cake

This cake is perfect for:

• Summer cookouts
• Backyard barbecues
• Easter
• Mother’s Day
• Family reunions
• Potlucks
• Birthday parties
• Baby showers
• Holiday dinners

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Since this is a milk-soaked cake, it’s best served chilled and should stay refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better after chilling overnight.

Can I use homemade whipped cream?

Yes! If you prefer homemade whipped cream over Cool Whip, it works beautifully.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze the cake before adding the whipped topping. Once thawed, add the topping just before serving for the freshest texture.

Why do I need to poke holes in the cake?

The holes allow the three-milk mixture to soak into every bite, giving the cake its signature moist texture.

Continue to Content

Pig Pickin' Tres Leches Cake

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 5 hours

A cool and creamy cake studded with oranges and soaked in three milks and then topped with whipped cream mixed with crushed pineapple for one fabulous luscious dessert everyone will love!

5.0 Stars (1 Review)

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Ingredients

• One box yellow cake mix
• Water, eggs, oil according to cake mix directions
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• One 12 ounce can evaporated milk
• One 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• One 8 ounce container cool whip
• One 8 ounce can crushed pineapple drained
• One 11 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
• 8-10 maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Prepare cake batter according to box directions and add in 1/2 cup of mandarin oranges and stir well breaking up the oranges.
2. Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes
3. Mix heavy cream, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk together and stir well.
4. After cake has cooled poke the cake liberally with a fork all over.
5. Pour the milk mixture over cake.
6. Mix cool whip and pineapple together and spread all over cake.
7. Decorate with remaining oranges and cherries.
8. Chill in fridge for at least 4 hours before servings.
9. Enjoy!!