MAKES 1 (12-CUP) BUNDT CAKE
When would we serve this cake? Oh, let us count the many ways—for coffee with friends, after brunch, as a delightful treat after lunch, for an afternoon snack at the office, as the sweet after an elegant dinner, as the perfect cake to take to a potluck—and every other time you need a great dessert.
Nonstick baking spray with flour
1 (15.25- to 18-ounce) vanilla or French vanilla cake mix
1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding
4 large eggs
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, well drained, juice reserved
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer on low speed, beat together the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, and ¾ cup of the reserved pineapple juice (reserve the remaining juice for the syrup and glaze). Scrape down the sides of the bowl well and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir the drained crushed pineapple into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Place the cake on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, ½ cup of the confectioners’ sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice until smooth.
Using a skewer, poke holes evenly over the surface of the cake. Drizzle the melted butter mixture over the cake, allowing it to soak into the cake. Let cool for 30 minutes.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to make cleanup easy). Place a wire rack on the foil-lined baking sheet. Invert the cake onto the wire rack and remove the pan. Poke holes evenly over the top of the baked cake using a skewer.
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar and 2 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the cake. Carefully move the cake to a cake plate and serve.
TIP
To be sure the pineapple is well drained, pour the fruit into a strainer set over a small bowl and press lightly on the fruit with the back of a spoon.