Tornado Cake

Also known as “Do Nothing” Cake, this vintage dessert is incredibly moist and sweet. Tornado Cake is a pineapple-flavored cake topped with a decadent coconut and pecan topping, making it the ultimate treat.

Let me introduce you to the most delicious cake if you haven’t already heard of it. Tornado Cake is a classic from Mother’s old recipe box. It’s been a popular dessert for decades, and for good reason. It’s an easy dessert to make and so incredibly decadent. You’ll love it!

I love how it’s such an easy recipe with just a few pantry ingredients. The cake is ready in less than 1 hour! If you love a moist cake, this is it!

It’s an old-fashioned poke cake. The topping is poured over the cake that’s been poked with the handle of a wooden spoon, allowing it to seep inside. It’s sometimes referred to as Texas Tornado Cake. Enjoy this hot cake after a family feast!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This is the best cake recipe for a family dinner.
• A delicious dessert that’s been passed down from generation to generation.
• The perfect classic recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth.
• The boiled coconut topping is crazy good!
• Ready from start to finish in under one hour.
• Simple ingredients found in your pantry.
• It is a super moist and gooey cake that tastes amazing, warm, or at room temperature.
• No special equipment is required to make this cake.

Ingredients

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Full measurements and instructions are found in the recipe card. Scroll down!

• All-purpose flour – Cake flour can also be used here.
• Baking soda
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar – Light or dark is fine.
• Large eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Crushed pineapple 

Boiled Coconut Icing Ingredients

• Salted butter
• Evaporated milk
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans
• Sweetened coconut flakes

How to Make Tornado Cake

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Step Two: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, sugar and brown sugar.
• Step Three: Add the eggs, vanilla, and pineapple and stir to combine.

• Step Four: Pour batter evenly into the pan and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out damp, but not doughy.

• Step Five: During the last 5 minutes of baking time, combine butter, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a saucepan. Heat to boiling. Boil for 1 minute.
• Step Six: Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, pecans, and coconut. 

• Step Seven: Remove the cake from the oven and poke holes in the cake. Pour the boiling frosting over the cake and spread evenly.
• Step Eight: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before serving or cool completely.

What to Serve with It

• Milk, tea or coffee
• Mocha Latte
• Butterscotch Steamer
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Stabilized whipped cream

Variations and Substitutions

• Use a can of fruit cocktail instead of the crushed pineapple. Fruit cocktail was used in the original recipe for this cake!
• You can also bake this cake in a sheet cake pan for a thinner, moister cake. You won’t need to bake it as long.
• Use chopped walnuts instead of pecans in the boiled topping.
• Try canned peaches instead of the crushed pineapple.
• Use unsalted butter, but add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the topping to replace.

Storage Instructions

Cover the leftover cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can I Freeze?

Yes! Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Should I Drain the Crushed Pineapple Can?

Nope! Use the entire can of crushed pineapple, including all the juice inside. It will help to make the cake nice and moist.

How to Poke Holes in a Cake

I find using a wooden spoon works the best for this task. Using the handle of the wooden spoon, poke holes about 1 inch apart in the cake. Make sure not to go too deep so you don’t touch the bottom of the pan with the wooden spoon.

Vintage Cake Recipes

• Pineapple Cake
• Fruit Cocktail Cake
• Wacky Cake
• Oatmeal Cake
• Banana Cake
• Hummingbird Cake
• Earthquake Cake
• Fool’s Cake

You’ll also like Blueberry Tea Cake, Sugar Pie, and Pig Pickin Cake.

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