Old-Fashioned Fruit Cocktail Cake: A Nostalgic Delight! 🍰🍒🥥

Posted by BMA24

This delightful Old-Fashioned Fruit Cocktail Cake is a classic dessert that brings back memories of simpler times and warm family gatherings. This cake, made with pantry staples and a can of fruit cocktail, is moist, tender, and full of fruit flavor. It’s a comforting treat with a sweet coconut and pecan streusel topping, making it ideal for any occasion, from Sunday brunches to holiday celebrations. With this classic recipe, we can take a trip back in time and rediscover the joy of home baking! 🍰🍒🥥

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (15 ounces) fruit cocktail, undrained
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Streusel Topping:

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

Preheat and Prepare:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Make the Cake Batter:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to combine.
  2. Add the fruit cocktail (including the syrup), eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Prepare the Streusel Topping:

  1. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, shredded coconut, chopped pecans, and melted butter. Mix until well combined and crumbly.

Assemble and Bake:

  1. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
  2. Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  3. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy:

  1. Once cooled slightly, slice the Old-Fashioned Fruit Cocktail Cake into squares.
  2. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the nostalgic flavors of this classic dessert.

Optional Tips:

  • For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle the cooled cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
  • Feel free to customize the streusel topping by adding a dash of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for warm, spicy flavor notes.
  • This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.

To summarize, Old-Fashioned Fruit Cocktail Cake is a popular dessert that evokes memories of simpler times and the joy of homemade baking. With its moist texture, fruity flavor, and crunchy streusel topping, it’s a delicious treat for the whole family. Whether served with a cup of coffee for breakfast or as a sweet ending to a cozy dinner, this classic cake is a timeless favorite that will never go out of fashion. So gather your ingredients and make a batch of this nostalgic treat—it’s sure to become a favorite recipe in your repertoire! 🍰🍒🥥