Ugly Duckling Cake

Published by Kate

This classic cake combines fruit cocktail and instant lemon pudding into the cake batter, then gets topped with a sweet coconut glaze that soaks into the cake as it cools.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 421 kcal

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 package (3.4 oz) instant lemon pudding (such as Jell-O brand)
1 can (16 oz) fruit cocktail in syrup
1 cup coconut
4 eggs
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped nuts optional

For the glaze:

1 stick butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup evaporated milk
1⅓ cups coconut

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Instructions

Grease a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 325°F.
In a large bowl, combine 1 package yellow cake mix, 1 package (3.4 oz) instant lemon pudding, 1 can (16 oz) fruit cocktail in syrup (including syrup), 1 cup coconut, 4 eggs, and ¼ cup vegetable oil.
Beat with a mixer for 4 minutes.
Pour the batter into the greased 13x9-inch pan, then sprinkle ½ cup brown sugar and ½ cup chopped nuts evenly over the top.
Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with dry crumbs.
Cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
While the cake is cooling, place 1 stick butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup evaporated milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Boil 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and stir in 1⅓ cups coconut.
Spoon the coconut glaze over the warm cake.
Let cool before slicing. The cake is perfect on its own but a little whipped cream never hurts anything.

Notes

If you don't like walnuts, you can substitute pecans or leave out the nuts altogether.

I tested this recipe with sweetened coconut, but I'm certain that unsweetened coconut will work just fine (it's sweet enough already).

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the fridge. The cake will freeze well, too.

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 351mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 335IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 1mg

Keyword ugly duckling cake

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