Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Pineapple Cake with Coconut Topping





So there where things I was always scared of once Indigo was old enough to sleep in a bed and roam freely at night. Things like falling down the stairs, wondering the house getting into things, falling in the toilet. Well for some reason I left off that one freakish thing that can give you nightmares…


You know, that time where you wake up in the dead of night and your little human has made her way to your room and stares at you square in the face all horror movie like. Yes, that is some freaky stuff.







My first inclination was to identify the creature so I said her name “Indigo?” I thought if I quickly got her to talk I could see if perhaps she had been changed into a zombie before she got even closer. There was no response so I quickly scooped her up, I pinned her arms to her side to prevent any zombie like flailing or biting...I've seen movies people!


My next move was to kiss her head, because perhaps if she were a zombie a mother’s kiss would make her feel some emotion and not harm her own mom. After a few minutes of this she fooled me into thinking she fell asleep, stupidly I released her and she started the zombie toddler bed boogie.







What is the zombie toddler bed boogie? Let me explain. Lots of times when you’re tired you think that you’re doing yourself some favor by bringing your loving kidlet into your bed when they are already up. What this truly leads to is a kicking, hitting, poking assault on you. I always think we will cuddle and sleep deeply but end up needing to file assault charges by morning.


So after the toddler boogie assault of over 45 minutes which led to the poking of my eyes, I gathered up my toddler Zombie baby and re-deposited her into her own bed. I  strapped neatly tucked her in bed  and placed a thoroughly loved teddy bear in her arms for further assault on her part if desired.


Then I went back to bed, and woke up 15 minutes later when my alarm clock went off.







INGREDIENTS
Delightfully borrowed from AllRecipes, slightly altered
{Printable Recipe}

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup flaked coconut for topping
• 1 ½ cups flaked coconut to sprinkle on topping







DIRECTIONS

 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan, or 2 cake rounds.


In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, oil, pineapple and vanilla, mix until well blended. Pour into the prepared pan.


Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.


To make the topping: In a small saucepan, combine butter, evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup coconut. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot, pour in the powdered sugar and whisk till smooth. Poke holes in the cake with a fork, then pour the warm mixture over the cake. Sprinkle cake with the rest of your coconut.







Be warned this topping is fairly thin. I placed a ¼ cup between my cake rounds. Under the rounds I had parchment paper because the topping runs down the sides when poured. Originally this was a sheet cake, in my opinion that would make making this cake way less messy.

Keep this cake refrigerated overnight, even better the 2nd day. Cake slices much easier when cold...and zombies are cold so now we have come full circle with this post.


38 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A beautiful cake! Really tempting and so moist. What a heavenly combo.

Cheers,

Rosa

Jocelyn said...

mmmm a piece of that cake is definitely needed after nights like that:-) Isn't that just the freakiest when your kids wake you up like that? Gets me every time!!!!

Unknown said...

toddler zombie baby... hehe.
That cake looks beautiful and delicious. I like cold cakes out from the fridge.

egbkid said...

Yum, looks delicious! I understand the Zombie Toddler bed boogie...when I take my nephew to my parents he sometimes get up in the middle of the night. I used to take him into bed with me, but not anymore! That kid can be mean in the middle of the night, he's lucky he is cute! :-)

Unknown said...

The quote in your first photo couldn't speak more of the truth!!

BakingWithoutaBox said...

Delicious cake. But what hooked me was the quote and the cake and then the toddler zombie tale. Could not stop reading!!

Anonymous said...

Despite having a terrible night you turned out an amazing cake! It looks so good - my girls would go crazy for that!
Mary

Rick said...

OMG how much do you charge to make this?

Angie A said...

I <3 your story, and this cake looks like a winner in my book! AWESOME!

meghan @ scratch-made wife said...

We don't know anything about toddler zombies in this house yet, but the husband is often - rudely - awakened by a medium brown dog staring him in the face. I always hear him saying: "Stella, stop staring at me. You're being a creep." Oh how I wish that man liked cake. I'd love to make this, but I don't want to have to eat it all myself!

Eileen said...

This sounds delicious, a perfect summer dessert! I love your pictures-they are gorgeous!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, yeah, this is a winner! Looks so moist and wonderful. And had to laugh at Indigo's night time shenanigans...been there, done that...no way can you sleep with a moving target in bed with you!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful presentation! Love the combo of pineapple and coconut..Bookmarked!

Unknown said...

Oh this looks divine! I LOVE coconut!

Yammie said...

I love your dishes!! So cute!! Especially the one that the whole cake is on. :]

The Harried Cook said...

Your little princess sounds so much like mine! I have had my eyes poked out so many times in the last week :) How old is Indigo? She is gorgeous! My little girl is 21 months old... I loved reading about Zombie Invasion night... Very well written! :) And the cake sounds really good... Pineapple & Coconut is such a great combination! Great photographs too! Thanks for sharing!

Sarah said...

this looks so good! love the long strands of coconut topping!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh I'm cracking up. I've always (since having kids) thought it was ridiculous to say sleeping like a baby is a good thing. Waking up to eat ever 3 hours is a good night's rest? Um, no. This cake looks fantastic!

Treat and Trick said...

Tempting clicks and looks so yummy!

http://treatntrick.blogspot.com

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

I seriously couldn't stop laughing at this post!

That's Ron said...

love this recipe!

Siggy said...

LMAO! Can I just say how much I LOVE the sounds of this recipe? AND...the pictures are simply beautiful!

Unknown said...

Seriously?! WE LIVE IDENTICAL LIVES!!! I am cracking up over the "Zombie!" I HAVE TWO OF THEM! And the poking and prodding...it's the worst! How about the nights when you've had a few glasses of wine and around 2am you find yourself w/a little foot in your face and you have no idea how or when they even got into your bed! TMI?

Oh, your pictures and that cake ARE STUNNING! As usual... :)

Mary said...

This cake looks divine! I was happily sitting here considering a salad for lunch and now all I can think of is CAKE.

Katie @ This Chick Cooks said...

What a gorgeous cake! Your pictures are amazing! As always :)

erica said...

Pineapple and coconut my two absolute favorites. Loving this recipe and will be making it when I go home to visit my mum!

xo

Heather S-G said...

{snickers} You totally brought that around didn't ya ;) Too funny...and familiar! I must have a slice of this cake asap.

Velva said...

This is just the kind of cake I would enjoy anytime but, late night too. Looks wonderful.

Your post reminds of the toddler days. There were days, I thought toddlers survive because they are just absolutely eat them up adorable. I am in the phase, of getting my last child out of his teen years, and out the door.

Velva

Taylor said...

I've been so out of the blog loop lately so I am just now seeing your new look....love it!! This cake sounds mighty tasty as well :)

Monet said...

You sure can tell a story...and you certainly can bake a cake. Thank you for making my evening a bit brighter. I'm wanting some pineapple now!

Jessica - The Novice Chef said...

I am literally Laughing Out Loud! Too funny! And this cake looks fabulous! YUM!

Alessandra said...

Nice cake Jenny, looks so tropical :-)!

Ciao
A.

Unknown said...

Our cats do the same thing :) lol
The cake looks fantastic!!! Would love a big slice right now!

Donna Elick said...

This is a spectacular looking cake. My mouth is watering over the thought of it!

Anonymous said...

Hahaha! Loved your zombie girl story--I'll make note for the time when I have kids not to invite them into my bed without wearing protective gear. =)
And the cake looks great!

TheIronYou said...

This cake looks unbelievable, I will give it a try really soon!
I recently wrote an article on the health benefits of pineapple, check it out and let me know what you think. I would really appreciate it!
http://www.theironyou.com/2011/04/pineapple-natures-most-potent-anti.html

Peace
Mike @TheIronYou

scrambledhenfruit said...

Oh I've been through that zombie toddler bed boogie before- you've brought back some memories there! That cake looks yummy! :)

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

I simply adore pineapple (well, not literally, but you know....). I'm running out of printing ink with all of your superb recipes! I can't help myself when I read all of your posts . . . as you can tell, I'm playing catch-up!!!!