A cake that tastes like a million bucks, but is surprisingly easy to make.

Learn how to make the famed Million Dollar Cake with just a few ingredients.

Here’s a brief outline.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake on a cake plate ready to serve

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The full recipe is further below:

What Does Million Dollar Cake Taste Like?

Similar to ahummingbird cake, this is a super-sweet cake, jam-packed with flavors.

The tang from the cream cheese balances the flavor profile nicely.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake ingredients

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It will last three to four days in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Million Dollar Cake?

Store in the freezer for as long as three months.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake sliced on plates to serve

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Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting them and serving the cake.

)packageyellow cake mix(such as Pillsbury)

1 (15-oz.)

canmandarin orangesin light syrup, drained, syrup reserved

1 1/4cupsheavy whipping cream

1(3.4-oz.)

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake layers after removing from the oven cooling on a cooling rack

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packagevanilla instant puddingand pie filling (such as Jell-O)

1(20-oz.)

Grease 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray.

Divide batter between prepared pans and bake according to package directions.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake mixing the pudding mix

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Add pineapple:

Fold in pineapple; let stand until set, about 5 minutes.

Top with second cake layer, trimmed side up.

Reserve remaining pineapple mixture.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake folding in the pineapple

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Frost cakes:

Frost top and sides of cake layers with frosting.

Decorate cake with mandarin oranges in a chevron pattern.

Serve immediately, or store covered in refrigerator until ready to eat.

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake trimming the cake layers

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake filling the cake layers with the pineapple mixture

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake beating the cream cheese until fluffy

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake adding the powdered sugar to the cream cheese

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake folding the ingredients for the frosting together

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Million Dollar Cake frosting the cake

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless