Texas Tornado Cake (Print View)
Moist old-fashioned Southern cake with pineapple, coconut, pecans and buttery topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Components
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice
08 - 1 cup chopped pecans
09 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
→ Buttery Sauce Topping
10 - 1 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
12 - 1 cup evaporated milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly blended.
03 - Add eggs, vanilla extract, and the entire can of crushed pineapple including juice. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
04 - Gently fold in chopped pecans and shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
05 - Pour batter into prepared pan and spread surface evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center emerges clean.
06 - While cake bakes, combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to gentle boil while stirring constantly, continue cooking 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
07 - Immediately upon removing cake from oven, poke holes across entire surface using fork or skewer. Pour hot buttery sauce evenly over hot cake, allowing it to seep into holes.
08 - Let cake cool completely in pan before slicing. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The cake practically makes itself while you gather your thoughts
- That hot buttery sauce transforms ordinary cake into something people will beg you to bring to every gathering
02 -
- The timing matters: pour the sauce over the cake immediately while both are hot for maximum absorption
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing, or you will end up with a delicious mess on your plate
03 -
- Use a fork to poke the holes rather than a skewer, creating more pathways for that sauce to seep through
- Resist the urge to slice while it is still warm, no matter how incredible it smells