Pina Colada Cake

My mom used to make this cake a lot in the summer for potlucks.  I'm not a big coconut fan, but I LOVE this cake!

• Yellow pudding cake mix
• 1 can cream of coconut base
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can crushed pineapple, drained
• 8 oz Cool Whip

Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on the box in a 9x13" pan.  Cool and poke holes in the top.  Combine cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk and drizzle over the cake.  Combine crushed pineapple and Cool Whip and spread over the cake as frosting.  Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Chocolate Earthquake Cake

I got this recipe from my mom and it’s wonderful!  Note from Mom: Do not try to squeeze this into a smaller pan!  You want an earthquake, not a volcano!

• 1 c chopped nuts
• 1 (3.5 oz) can sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 box German Chocolate cake mix, batter prepared according to package directions
• 1/2 c butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1  (l lb) box or bag powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9×13″ cake pan.  Cover the bottom of the pan with the nuts and coconut.  Pour the cake batter on top.  Melt the butter in a bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar.  Stir to blend.  Spoon over unbaked batter (you don’t have to stir it in).  Bake 40-42 minutes.

Note:  You cannot test for doneness with a toothpick or cake tester, as the cake will appear sticky even when done.  The icing sinks into the batter as it bakes, forming the white ribbon inside.

Chocolate Coconut Bars

One of the guys I used to work with brought these in to share one day and I absolutely loved them!  The funny thing is I don’t normally like coconut but it’s delicious in these bars.

• 2 c graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 c melted butter
• 1/4 c sugar
• 2 c flaked coconut
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
• 1 (7 oz) plain chocolate candy bar
• 2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar.  Press into a greased 9×13″ pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes (slightly less if pan is glass).  Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine coconut, milk and pecans.  Spread over crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool completely.

In small saucepan, melt candy bar and add peanut butter over low heat.  Stir until smooth.  Spread over bars.  Cool.  Cut into squares and enjoy!