UGLY DUCKLING CAKE
The Ugly Duckling Cake is a vintage Southern dessert! It’s so easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Southern Classic Ugly Duckling Cake
If you love easy recipes, this will instantly be a hit! It’s so simple to make, and if you don’t want to use a cake mix, no problem- just make your favorite yellow cake. It’s not the prettiest cake, which is probably why it got its name, but it sure is delicious. You don’t even have to get out a mixer, which is always a plus.
Do You Have To Use The Coconut?
We always get this question when we post a recipe with coconut, and honestly, I think this recipe needs it, but you could always try to make it without. We have never made it any other way other than the way it is written.
Other Delicious Recipes:
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Ugly Duckling Cake
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 1 15 ounce can fruit cocktail, do not drain
- 2 eggs
Swirl Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts walnuts or pecans
Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
Instructions
Cake Instructions
- Mix together cake mix, fruit cocktail with juice and eggs with a spoon. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish and spread in bottom of dish. Add Swirl.
Swirl Instructions
- Mix together and sprinkle over the cake. Take a knife and cut mixture into the cake mix until all ingredients are wet. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
Topping Instructions
- Bring evaporated milk, sugar and butter to a rolling boil in a pan on top of the stove. Boil for one minute stirring often as will boil over on stove. Remove from stove and add coconut. Mix well. Spread over cake. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
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I have been making this for years. It’s an excellent cake with minimal fuss. Not sure where I got the recipe to begin with but it has been a keeper.
Su
Such a delicious cake! Couldn’t get enough of it! A friend made this at a beach party and it was thee best!
Made this cake for a brunch at church. It was perfect as a coffee cake. Just delicious!
Made this cake for the Honor Guard Men and they loved it. I have also done the Honey Bun Cake and have had requests for it often. Easy to make, great tasting! TN Honor Guard thank you for this recipe.
So glad it was a hit! Thank you for sharing.
I love this cake, but if it has coconut in it, how can it be bad. This is a very moist cake too.
can I use a can of pineapple instead of fruit cocktail?
thank you.
I think you could do that ok but I have not tried it.
This cake looks delicious! Do you cool the cake before putting the topping on?
It is not necessary to cool the cake first, Patricia, but you could if you want.
Everything looks so delicious keep posting recipes for us.
My mom use to make a similar cake when we were growing up many years ago. This brought back the memories. I’ll have to make this one. 🙂
My mom did too. Ours was a fruit cocktail cake. The longer it sat the juicer it got. 🙂
What an interesting sounding cake.. Never heard of it before.. Well, maybe from Upstate NY originally…Now living in Australia.. Will have to give this one a try.. Thank you.. And wishing all you and yours a Blessed and Happy Easter.. Sue
It’s a delicious cake and I hope you enjoy it. Happy Easter to you as well!