Pina Colada Cake

I wanted to make my mother-in-law a cake for her birthday get-together and she said "surprise me"...so I tried to think of something out of the ordinary.  I know she loves tropical drinks, so when Pina Colada Cake crossed my mind, I knew it would be  a hit.  I was not disappointed!  Everyone raved over this cake and it was delicious!  Very moist and the flavors of the drink really came though!  I will definitely be making this again, it was light, moist, refreshing and you almost (almost!) felt like you were on the beach with a drink in your hand...until you saw the forecast for 6-8 inches of snow Monday.  ;)


Pina Colada Cake & Frosting
Recipe Courtesy of About.com: Southern Food


Ingredients
For cake

• 1 (approx. 18.25 ounces) box white cake mix
• 1 small package (4 serving size) vanilla or French vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 1/2 c water
• 1/3 c light rum
• 4 eggs
• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 c flaked coconut

For frosting

• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1/3 c light rum
• 1 small package (4 serving size) vanilla or French
• vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 container (8 oz) Cool Whip
• coconut to taste, toast* if desired

Directions
Cake

• Grease and flour a 13 x 9-inch pan or two round 8-inch layer cake pans. 
• Preheat oven to 350°. 
• Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, water and rum. 
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 
• Stir in pineapple then fold in coconut. 
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Frosting

• Mix crushed pineapple, rum, and vanilla instant pudding. 
• Beat until it thickens. 
• Fold in 1 container of Cool Whip. 
• Frost cake and sprinkle top with coconut or toasted coconut.