Do Nothing Cake, aka Texas Tornado Cake – pineapple dump/poke cake with coconut walnut frosting; super moist and ridiculously easy to make!
I saw Do Nothing Cake, aka Texas Tornado Cake, on internet for the first time about a year ago. I was, naturally, attracted to the title because it suggested an easy recipe that will be made quickly and turn out well. And it really was so.
This is from scratch recipe for a sort of a dump cake – you just mix cake ingredients together, dump the mixture to baking pan and bake until done. Baked cake is poked with a skewer and topped with simple coconut and walnut frosting. Frosting is somewhat liquid and it soaks into the cake.
There is no butter or oil or any kind of fat in cake batter, but there is some crushed pineapple which makes the cake very moist.
Do Nothing Cake is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. It is also an ideal potluck dessert!
UPDATE: Up to now (August 29th, 2016) the recipe for this cake was seen by over 586 K viewers on Facebook. It received lots of comments and majority of people were asking: “Why is it called DO NOTHING cake?” Well, this cake was created in 1940s, before boxed cake mixes. There was no need to use a kitchen scale because all ingredients can be measured by a cup. There is no kneading, proofing, 30-minutes egg beating and no special equipment involved. Neither did frosting require you to beat the butter for 30 minutes until fluffy. At that time, this was considered to be a true “Do Nothing Cake”.
See how easy it is to make Do Nothing Cake:
NOTE: images and video show half batch.
Do Nothing Cake, aka Texas Tornado Cake – pineapple dump/poke cake with coconut walnut frosting; super moist and ridiculously easy to make!
- CAKE:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- FROSTING:
- 1 stick butter, 113 g
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup coconut shredded
-
CAKE: Mix all cake ingredients with a spoon. Pour into oiled 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) pan and bake in 350 F (175 C) oven for 30 - 40 minutes or until center of the cake is done.
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While Do Nothing Cake ( Tornado Cake ) is still hot, poke it with a skewer to help frosting soak into cake. Immediately pour frosting over it.
-
FROSTING: Cook butter, evaporated milk and sugar until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add nuts and coconut.
Recipe Video
An old favorite of mine. I absolutely love this cake but don’t make it often due to the fact my dear hubby does not like pineapple
That’s a pity! Maybe you could replace crushed pineapple with applesauce?
How about cut up apples moistened with apple juice ….
How about Comstock apple pie apples in a can?
Or shred apples like shredded cheese and mix with apple sauce to make 20 ounces. Love that trick!
Do you need to drain the pineapple?
I’ve just seen the comment Mary made. She said you should not drain the pineapple because it would be to dry without liquid.
No, do not drain. The juice is the liquid for the cake batter.
no !
,,, recipe says no I imagine that’s because it’s soaks into the cake
The recipes says, “crushed pineapple, undrained.”
It says I drained pines
I didn’t and it worked just fine
Why can’t I get the free e-book, I am already subscribed and would love the book.
Could it be that you subscribed before the book was offered? I’ve sent you the book to your email address, just in case.
Hello Kitchen Nostalgia,
I am also already subscribed but don’t have the free e-book. Would love one. Your recipes are wonderful. Thank you!
Millie, I sent you the book to your email address.
Is the free e-book no longer available. I subscribed but only get an error page.
Donna M, I just sent you the book to your email.
Would you please send me the recipe book?
Thanks,
Margaret R
Can I have the free ebook? Please please
She could just replace her husband
I make this exact same recipe with a can of fruit cocktail instead of the pineapple. We call it Fruit Cocktail cake.
Interesting!
My mother makes it with fruit cocktail as well. Then she tops it with Cool Whip. Very addicting.
I’ll have to try it that way, too. Thanks!
DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE MADE WITH USING JUST 3/4 CUP SUGAR? SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL LOT OF SUGAR, WITH THE PINEAPPLE AND OTHER INGREDIENTS.
Yes, absolutely!
Use canned cherries!!
Good idea! Will have to try it.
it is great with canned blueberry pie filling as well
That sounds so good!
Try canned peaches
try the Duff’s Hurricane cake for him. it’s more complex recipe, but delicious. You use canned peaches in it.
If Hubby is a fan of peaches, used canned peaches that are smashed with a fork And don’t forget the juice.
I made it and it is delicious. My grand-daugher said she wouldn’t eat any because she doesn’t like pineapple either. I said okay, more for me. lol. I was done with it and took a bite she was right there by my side. I took a bite and went on about how good it was and I said Alicia you just gotta take a little bite of this! Well, I knew if I was going on about she would taste it for after all it was curiosity that killed the cat. She took a small bite, and I saw her… Read more »
A cake AND a life lesson – it couldn’t be better! 😉
How sweet. She’s a darling to at least try.
Bless.
Try fruit cocktail ?
with 10 ingredients wrong name for it
Replace pineapple with a can of fruit cocktail! You want regret it trust me! I NEVER use pineapple NEVER! Please try it!
Damn this is simple! Any cake with chopped nuts is a cake for me 🙂 Thank you for the recipe. Pinned!
Thank you for pinning!
Can this be made with out coconut ?
Yes, I believe it can. You can add more nuts if you like.
I used to make it with a cream cheese icing.
I just LOVE LOVE your blog!! You have so many great recipes!! Thank you for sharing this Do Nothing Cake! I had the recipe some time ago and lost it! So thank you for sharing it!
Take care!
Hugs, Teresa
Teresa, you are very welcome! 🙂
Okay, thanks for providing me with something different to take to the next potluck! I will probably have to trial batch before that June meeting though. LOL