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ugly duckling cake

Ugly Duckling Cake

Vintage cake recipe packed with so much texture and flavor that you would never believe it was made with boxed yellow cake mix and a can of fruit cocktail!
5 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 people
Calories 286 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand mixer
  • 13x9 Baking Pan
  • Sauce Pot

Ingredients
  

For cake:

  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
  • 16 oz Can Fruit Cocktail **with syrup
  • 1 c Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
  • 2 LG Eggs
  • 1/2 c Brown Sugar **firmly packed

For topping:

  • 1/2 c Butter or Margarine
  • 1/2 c Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 c Evaporated Milk
  • 1 1/3 c Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Instructions
 

For Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 325F and spray a 13x9 baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • Combine the first FOUR ingredients (everything BUT the brown sugar) in a stand mixer.
  • Blend and then beat on MEDIUM for 2 minutes.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan and sprinkle with the brown sugar.
  • Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven.
  • When almost finished baking, start making the topping.

For topping:

  • Bring butter, sugar and milk to a boil in a small saucepan.
  • Boil for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in coconut flakes.
  • Spoon over hot cake in pan.
  • Serve warm or allow to cool.

Notes

Commonly asked questions:
  1. Can I use sweetened coconut flakes?  A. Yes!  However, it will add to the overall sweetness of the cake. 
  2. Can I use other kinds of milk if I don't have evaporated?  A. Yes!  You can use regular milk.  However, make sure that you reduce the milk by boiling it prior to adding the sugar and butter to it.  Depending on what type of milk (whole, 2%, skim, etc...) it may take more or less time to boil the water out.
  3. Can I make this recipe into muffins?  A.  Yes!  However, you will need to reduce the cooking time.  Start checking your cupcakes around 20 minutes and cook until the cake springs back when touched and/ a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Can I add nuts to this recipe?  A. Yes!  Absolutely!  The best place to add them is to mix them into your topping!  I prefer to add walnuts!
  5. How do I store this cake?  A.  Leave the cake in the pan and simply seal it with plastic wrap.  It will be good for up to 1 week on the counter or 2 weeks in the fridge!
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