Hawaiian Dream Cake

I don't usually make desserts, especially ones that lack apples. But this recipe looked so easy and sounded so appealing that I gave it a try.

The only difficulty I ran into was when I dusted the inside of the baking pan with flour. It made one helluva mess.

But y'know, the cake WAS easy to make, and it tasted damn good. So I guess the tsk-tsk looks I got from the wife were a small price to pay.

Mac nuts, coconut and pineapple – three Island icons. And that's why they call it “Hawaiian.” No hula skirt or ukulele required.

Ingredients

• YELLOW CAKE MIX, 1 package
• CRUSHED PINEAPPLE, 20-ounce can drained, reserve juice
• CREAM CHEESE, 8-ounce package
• INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING, 3-ounce package
• COLD MILK, 1 cup
• COOL WHIP, 9-ounce container
• CHOPPED MACADAMIA NUTS and SHREDDED COCONUT

Directions

1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, using the reserved pineapple juice and water for the liquid called for in the directions.
2. Bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes in a greased and floured 9-1/2 x 13 pan. Cool in pan, set aside.
3. In a large bowl, blend together cream cheese, pudding mix and milk until smooth. Fold in drained pineapple.
4. Spread over top of cake, cover with whipped topping and sprinkle with nuts and coconut. Refrigerate.