Spread the love

This tornado cake recipe is the easiest dessert in the world! It’s made with tropical and nutty flavors, like pineapple chunks in the cake and pecans or walnuts and shredded coconut in the frosting. You will love it! This moist cake is packed with flavor and requires such little effort that it will become your go-to in no time!

Jump to Recipe

Tornado cake is perfect for when you’re in a time crunch or just don’t feel like doing too much work. It’s ready in just a short amount of time while still being from scratch, and it makes enough to feed the whole family.

Since you are here and love this Texas tornado cake recipe, check out this Quick Carrot Cake Loaf Cake Recipe, this Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake, or this Moist Honey Tea Cake Loaf Recipe.

What is a Tornado Cake?

The delicious Texas tornado cake is also known as a poke cake or a “Do Nothing” cake because it’s so easy; it is a pineapple cake with a coconut pecan or walnut topping. Intensely moist because of the holes from the cake seeping all that syrup we top it with at the end!

Ingredients for this Tornado Cake Recipe

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.

Cake

All-purpose Flour: is the base of any cake and give it its structure.
Baking Soda: helps the cake rise so it feels lighter and airier.
White Sugar and Brown Sugar: sweeten the cake.
Eggs: work with the dry ingredients to hold everything together.
Vanilla Extract: gives a nice flavor to the cake.
Crushed Pineapple: is the key ingredient in flavoring this tasty cake.
Salt: to help balance out the sweetness of the cake

Coconut Icing

Salted Butter: is a great two-in-one with adding moisture and flavor.
Evaporated Milk: gives the icing a nice and creamy taste and texture.
Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: add the perfect amount of sweetness to the icing.
Vanilla Extract: brings a warm and decadent flavor.
Pecans or walnuts: add a fun crunchy texture.
Sweetened Coconut Flakes: give a fun texture and tropical vibe and pairs so well with the pineapple.
Salt: this helps balance out the sweetness of the frosting.

close up of the top of the tornado cake recipe

How to Make this Tornado Cake Recipe

Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.

Bake the Cake

Preheat the oven, then spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside. You can lay parchment paper down first if you want and then spray.
In a large mixing bowl, pour in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pineapple, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix the cake ingredients until smooth.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.

Make the Icing

Add the butter, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil the mixture for 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat then add in the shredded coconut, pecans or walnuts, salt and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
Poke holes in the cake then pour the coconut frosting on top. Spread it evenly. Let the cake and icing cool down fully to room temperature before slicing into it.

Recipe Tip

Use a food scale instead of measuring cups to weigh out your dry ingredients, specifically the flour. You will get much more accurate results and the recipe will yield a better cake.

Why You Need to Make This Recipe

This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at the store.
This tornado cake recipe is so quick and effortless, it only requires one bowl!
It’s the best cake to make for the coconut lovers in your life their birthdays or special occasions.
Its fruit flavors are perfect for spring and summer and will be a guaranteed popular dessert at the next holiday event.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What Can I Use instead of Pineapple?

You can use mixed canned fruit cocktail if you don’t have or don’t prefer pinnaple. As long as it has the tropical flavor the cake flavor should be similar.

a piece of tornado cake recipe on a fork

How to Store Leftover Tornado Cake Recipe

Put your leftover cake in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. If you want to freeze it, wrap the individual slices in plastic wrap first and then into the airtight container before placing them in the freezer. It should last in the fridge for at least 4 days and in the freezer for one or two months.

What Can I Serve this with?

Take your slice of cake and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your favorite refreshing beverage. A warm tea or an iced latte would go perfect with it!