Tropical Orange Crush Cake

Let the cool and refreshing flavors in this cake transport you to a tropical island. Mandarin oranges in the cake, crushed pineapple in the frosting, and toasted coconut just for fun. Tropical Orange Crush Cake is also a chilled cake, so it’s the perfect dessert on a hot summer day.

The best part of this recipe? …it makes a lot of frosting.

In other words, you won’t have to worry about being stingy when putting frosting in the middle layer, there’s plenty.

Making Tropical Orange Crush Cake

Let’s start with the cake.

Preheat the oven to 350° and spray two 8″ cake pans.

Also, (and this is just an option) if you have coffee filters, place one in each cake pan, then spray again. The cakes pop out clean every time.

Then, set aside a few mandarin segments if you want to decorate with them.

Next, in a large bowl, mix together the remaining mandarin oranges (with its liquid), vegetable oil, and cake mix.

Add one egg at a time, allowing each egg to be fully combined. Then add the orange extract.

Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans and bake for 20 – 30 minutes.

The cake should spring back when touched, and the top should have a golden color.

Also, you can insert a toothpick into the center of one of the cakes. It should come out clean.

Once done baking, let them sit for a few minutes, then remove them from their pans onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Leave that oven on.

Take a tablespoon or two of coconut and pop it under the broiler until it starts to brown.

Don’t blink, though, or it will burn before you know it. Some of you are nodding your heads.

Get that frosting started.

While the cake is baking, let’s start the frosting.

In a large bowl, beat the pineapple (with its juices), whipped topping, dry pudding mix, and the vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.

Then cover and refrigerate for one hour while the cake is baking and cooling.

Once the cake is completely cooled, frost away.

Again, there’s plenty of frosting, so don’t skimp when adding frosting between the cake layers.

Then frost the top and sides.

I will say, however, piping this frosting is not recommended. Too much pineapple gets caught in the tip, then it’s just clogged.

It’s better to spread this one on.

Let’s decorate your Tropical Orange Crush Cake.

Nothing too fancy, but a little is always appreciated.

If you have any extra whipped topping left over, (because you love to decorate, so you bought a 12 oz. container like I did) pipe some on.

You don’t need it, but it looks nice along the bottom edge and a little on top. Just have fun with it.

Also, don’t forget your toasted coconut.

Sprinkle some on the rim, the sides, or across the top. If you want to cover the sides, which looks awesome, toast 1/4 – 1/2 cup.

Bust out more desserts.

For a full list of desserts, go to the top of the page. Hover on “Recipes,” then scroll down to “Desserts.” …or click HERE.

I did, however, pull out a few here for you:

• No Bake Lemon Lush
• Ultimate Sangria Brownies
• Orange Juice Cupcakes
• Tropical Carrot Cake
• No Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert
• Peaches and Cream Delight
• Cherry Orange Frosty

If you tried and love this recipe, please give a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.

Tropical Orange Crush Cake

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My Collected Recipes

A quick mention of this wonderful blank recipe book that I helped to create with a very dear friend. Write in one or more recipes before giving it to that special person, then they can fill the remaining pages with their favorites, and/or have other special people write out recipes for them. It’s personal, and yes, it takes time and effort — something we’ve gotten away from with all this technology. Check it out HERE where you can order a hard or soft cover. Once there, click on READ SAMPLE to see the pages within. I especially like the “measurements and conversions” page. Also, I make no money from any sales, I just love the idea of this book. Missing my mom as I do, seeing her handwriting always makes me feel closer to her. Give that gift to someone else by writing out a favorite recipe.