Description
Delightful pineapple coconut surprise cake brings tropical paradise to dessert tables with layers of creamy richness. Rich coconut frosting and caramelized pineapple chunks create a sweet escape you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 8 oz (226 g) crushed pineapple (drained; reserve juice)
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 3.4 oz (96 g) vanilla instant pudding mix
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts recommended)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper for seamless cake release.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Blend yellow cake mix and vanilla pudding mix in a large mixing bowl, creating a rich, complex base that promises exceptional texture.
- Batter Creation: Whisk eggs, vegetable oil, and water into the dry ingredients, blending until a smooth, homogeneous mixture forms without overmixing.
- Flavor Incorporation: Delicately fold in crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and optional nuts, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to guarantee uniform baking and consistent texture.
- Cake Transformation: Bake for 30-35 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out clean, indicating perfect moisture and structure.
- Moisture Enhancement: While still warm, perforate the cake’s surface with a fork, allowing pineapple juice to penetrate and intensify the tropical flavor profile.
- Cooling and Settling: Let the cake cool completely in the pan, allowing flavors to meld and texture to stabilize before cutting into servings.
- Presentation: Garnish with additional coconut or a light dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the cake’s visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Moisture Magic: Piercing the warm cake allows pineapple juice to penetrate deeply, creating an incredibly moist and flavorful dessert.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain exact 350°F oven temperature for perfect texture and even baking, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
- Mixing Mastery: Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender; fold ingredients gently to preserve air pockets that create a light, delicate crumb.
- Storage Savvy: Store cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness without compromising its tropical taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg