Mandarin Orange Cake

This stunning fondant-covered cake was designed and decorated by Aldana, member The NYC Cake Decorators Meetup

Many cake decorators who sell their cakes prefer to make their cakes from scratch using the freshest of ingredients. However, there are times when box cake mixes come in handy. For example, cake decorator instructors often catch the cake box mix sales and use the box mixes to create their demo cakes for the class. When on sale at $1.00 or less a box, the mixes can be a cost effective way of creating a cake to show a class how to tort, fill, and decorate. After the class concludes, these cakes are often donated.

Adding ingredients to the box mix, will make the end product semi-homemade. For additional information on how to make a cake box recipe your own, visit the Cake Mix Doctor Blog or peruse a copy of Cake Mix Doctor at your local bookstore.

The following cake mix box recipe is courtesy of The New Jersey Confectionary Arts Guild, P.O. Box 339, Garwood, New Jersey 0339:

Mandarin Orange Cake

The Cake
1 Box Duncan Hines Butter Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Oil
3 Eggs
1 can (11oz) Mandarin Oranges

Add ingredients to the cake mix and bake according to the cake mix instructions.

The Frosting
16 oz Cool Whip
4 oz (1 pkg) vanilla pudding
20oz (1 can) crushed pineapples (well- drained)

Mix pineapples and dry pudding mix together then fold into cool whip. Frost your cooled cake with the mixture.