Texas Tornado Cake (Printable View)

Moist Southern cake with pineapple, coconut, and pecans in a rich buttery sauce

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake

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

→ 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 It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well until evenly incorporated.
03 - Add eggs, vanilla extract, and the entire can of crushed pineapple with juice. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
04 - Gently fold in the chopped pecans and shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
05 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - While the cake is baking, combine sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
07 - As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the top with a fork or skewer. Pour the hot topping evenly over the hot cake. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Its impossible to mess up, even if you accidentally stir too long or forget to set a timer
  • That buttery soaks into every crumb while the cakes still warm, creating three distinct textures in one bite
02 -
  • The cake must be hot when you pour the topping, or the sauce won't soak into those little fork holes
  • This tastes better on day two, if you can resist eating it all immediately
03 -
  • Use a drinking glass to make uniform holes in the cake if you want the sauce to distribute more evenly
  • The sauce is ready when it coats the back of a spoon, don't rush this step

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