Watergate Salad Cake

A moist cake with the flavor profile of a Watergate Salad!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 605kcal

20 ounce can crushed pineapple in 100% juice (1/2 cup juice reserved and divided use)
1 box white cake mix
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk
3 large eggs (can use the whole egg or just egg whites)
3.4 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix
¾ cup finely chopped pecans
¾ cup sweetened coconut flakes

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Drain 20 ounce can crushed pineapple in 100% juice over a bowl in a fine mesh strainer (to catch the juice). Use the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much juice as you can. Reserve ½ cup of the juice for the topping.
Add 1 box white cake mix, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup milk, 3 large eggs and 3.4 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix into a large bowl. Combine for 2 minutes with an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer).
Stir in half of the drained crushed pineapple (set aside the rest for the topping), 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans and 3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes.
Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 35-45 minutes on the middle rack until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place on a wire rack to cool completely. The cake may dip in the center, that’s normal (we're going to cover the dip with frosting anyways).
Once the cake is cool, make the topping. In a large bowl, whisk together 3.4 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix with the 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice until it just comes together.
Quickly whisk in 8 ounces whipped topping.
Gently stir in 3/4 cup mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes and the other half of the drained crushed pineapple.
Smooth this over the top of the cake. Cover and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours to chill before serving.
Then slice and enjoy!

Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
You are not making this recipe using the same amounts and ingredients on the back of the box, please only follow the amounts and directions I have given here.