I was blessed to celebrate another birthday this week – my 33rd! So thankful to celebrate another birthday. It may mean I’m older, but hopefully it means I’m wiser too. And it also means I’ve almost lived long enough to see my life-long dream of having a baby fulfilled, so there was no sting at all affiliated with turning another year older. :)
Every year, my only birthday plan is to eat a piece of cake. If I can have a piece of cake on my birthday, I’m a happy girl. I’ve only posted maybe 200 recipes for cake on my blog, so you might have noticed I’m a fan. But my sister, Danielle, thought I needed an actual celebration, so she decided to throw a little pizza party for me at her shop. Imagine my surprise to get gifts to boot! I didn’t celebrate my birthday growing up, but I felt like a kid again, or what one probably feels like that celebrates their birthday. :)
And I got my piece of cake too. It’s a new tradition for Dennis to make my birthday cake because for me, that’s the ultimate gift and thankfully, while baking (or cooking) isn’t really his thing, he’s willing to do it for me every year that I ask (this year makes three cakes he’s made for me). I picked out an easy one this year since he went a tad overboard last year (lol – see below the recipe). He rocked it!
Coconut Orange Cake
Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture
Cake:
1 (18.25 oz) Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
1 cup (3.5 oz) flaked, sweetened coconut
Frosting:
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, plus more for garnish if desired
1 (5.1 oz)large instant vanilla pudding mix (not prepared)
1 cup (3.5 oz) flaked, sweetened coconut
1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Brush Miracle Pan Release on the bottom and sides of two 8″ or 9″ cake pans, or grease and flour them; set aside.
Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. After you’ve finished mixing the cake, stir in 1 cup of coconut. Bake according to cake mix instructions for the size of pans you’re using. After cooked through, remove from oven and turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare frosting: In a large mixing bowl, mix the mandarin oranges with their juices with an electric mixer until crushed. Mix in the instant pudding mix and coconut and mix well. Fold in the whipped topping until combined.
Using a cake leveler or a long serrated knife, cut the tops off both of the cakes to get a flat surface. Take one of the cakes and place the cut side up on the cake plate. Add a layer of frosting. Place the 2nd layer cut side down on top of the frosting layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with mandarin orange slices if desired. Chill in the fridge for several hours before serving.
Recipe source: Sweet Tea and Cornbread, as seen on Jam Hands
Love cake as much as I do? Check out some of my past birthday cakes:
2010: Easy Coconut Layer Cake
Aaand I just realized I forgot to get back to you on the pudding size! :( So sorry! Looks like it turned out delicious though :)
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Yes, he used the large and it worked great. I’m so mistrusting! lol
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That is so thoughtful of your sister to throw a pizza party AND Dennis making you a cake – I can only imagine what wonderful cakes you’ll make for Joshua!
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Oh I’m going to have some fun. :)
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Happy Birthday – the cake looks wonderful.
Lillian
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Happy Birthday Veronica! Sounds like such a fun day for you. How sweet for Dennis to make your cake, it sounds wonderful!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mommy! Dennis did a great job on that cake! MAK can’t measure flour correctly, let alone make a cake!
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Dennis can’t measure ingredients very well, but he can follow the directions on a box! lol
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Happy Birthday! The cake looks fabulous. Oranges and coconut are two of my favorites. If only I could have it gluten free I would be a happy girl.
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HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, V! What a way to celebrate. I hope that you and baby are well. And that man Dennis sounds pretty awesome!
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such a bright and yummy looking cake, got to try it out soon!
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Happy Birthday!
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happy birthday veronica! looks like a great cake :)
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Happy belated b-day!!!!! Den rocks as a cake maker (and husband).
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Amen.
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Happy belated birthday, V! I’m so late I know. But I’m glad you were able to look at turner a year older in a positive light. And I literally laughed out loud at how Danielle is holding that baby !! That girl CRACKS me up!
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