Do Nothing Cake

Do nothing cake is an unbelievably moist cake with a whopping tropical flavor.

It’s love at first bite… and you’ll want to marry it on the second. It’s that good!

You’d think it’s super complicated to make, but as the name suggests, it couldn’t be easier.

It may not be as simple as making a boxed cake, but it’s close to that. You’ll just dump all the ingredients in a bowl, mix, and bake!

It’s an ideal recipe for baking beginners. And the flavor is just to die for!

The cake itself has crushed pineapple, giving it such a wonderful tropical flavor and an insanely moist texture.

But it doesn’t end there! It’s topped off with a sweet coconut and pecan glaze, elevating its flavor to a whole new level of greatness.

Do Nothing Cake

The first time I saw this cake recipe, I was a bit skeptical.

The batter doesn’t have oil or butter in it, so I was worried that it would be dry and dense. Boy, was I wrong!

You see, thanks to the crushed pineapple (and its juice), this cake doesn’t only taste amazing, but also has the most irresistible texture as well! 

The butter glaze also helps give it moisture. You’ll poke the cake with holes, so when you drizzle the glaze, it soaks it up, making it irresistible.

Because it’s flavored with pineapple, the cake isn’t too sweet. The tang of the fruit balances out the flavor well, so it’s not rich and heavy.

The glaze is also loaded with coconut and nuts, adding more texture and flavor.

Want to make a cake from scratch but do not want to go through all the tedious effort? This do nothing cake is perfect for you.

Ingredients

Cake

• Granulated Sugar – To sweeten the cake.
• Flour – To give the cake its structure.
• Eggs – To bind the ingredients together. They also add richness to the cake.
• Baking Soda – The leavening agent responsible for making the cake rise. Be sure your baking soda is still potent! To check, drop a teaspoonful of baking soda in hot water. If the water foams up, the baking soda is still active. If not, it’s time to throw it out.
• Vanilla – For flavor enhancement.
• Crushed Pineapple – The key to making the cake insanely moist, even without butter or oil.

Icing

• Butter – For a rich, buttery glaze.
• Granulated Sugar – To sweeten the glaze.
• Evaporated Milk – To add a rich and creamy flavor.
• Shredded Coconut – It pairs beautifully with pineapple!
• Nuts – Toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or whatever kind you prefer.
• Vanilla Extract – Again, for flavor enhancement.

Tips for the Best Cake

• Don’t over-bake the cake! Otherwise, it won’t have its signature moistness. 
• Store the cake at room temperature or in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Be sure it’s covered at all times.
• For a longer shelf-life, store the cake in an air-tight container in the freezer. You can either freeze the entire cake or slice it beforehand, so it’s easier to thaw individual servings. Frozen cake will keep well for up to 3 months.
• To thaw frozen cake, place it on the counter or in the fridge until soft.
• The combination of coconut, pineapple, and nuts give this cake such a lovely tropical flavor. You know what else tastes good with those flavors? Cherries! 

Why Is It Called Do Nothing Cake?

This cake goes by many names – Cajun cake, Texas tornado Cake, and Arkansas doodle cake, to name a few.

Its most interesting moniker, however, is “do nothing cake.” It only takes one glance at the recipe to understand why.

Do nothing cake has been around since the 1940s. Back then (and still to this day), it was one of the easiest cakes to make. 

Sure, it’s more complicated than making a box cake, but compared to other make-from-scratch cakes, this one is pretty effortless.

All you’ll need to do is throw in all the ingredients in a bowl, give it a quick whisk, and pop it in the oven. 

Plus, the cake also calls for common pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It really couldn’t get any easier!

Also, you need not have cake-decorating skills to make this dessert look pretty! Just pour the icing over the cake and call it a day.

Can I Use Fresh Pineapple?

While fresh is always better, canned crushed pineapple is best for this recipe. You won’t want huge chunks of pineapple in this cake! 

Using canned pineapple eliminates the need to slice or crush or grind the fruit yourself. Plus, the juice from the can is crucial to make the cake super moist. 

If you still want to use fresh pineapple, go right ahead. Just be sure to crush the pineapple in a food processor or blender and add pineapple juice for moisture.