This ugly duckling cake recipe is a rich buttery fruit cocktail cake that starts with a yellow cake mix… But nobody will ever know it’s that easy!
When I’m in charge of a dessert recipe for parties, I almost always consider a cake recipe.
Cakes are so easy and always crowd-pleasers. My personal favorites are creamy lemon bundt cake, ding dong cake, this easy carrot cake, and gooey butter cake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Not only is this ugly duckling cake delicious, but it’s the perfect party dessert because it’s a conversation starter! Who doesn’t want to take about a cake that’s called an “ugly duckling cake!?”
- Fruit cocktail cake (aka ugly duckling cake), is a classic southern dessert that does not disappoint. It’s a refreshing cake which makes it perfect for summer or hot weather!
- You guys know me, I’m all about amazing food without the difficulty! This cake recipe is just that. You’ll only need basic ingredients and minimal baking skills to get the perfect fruit cocktail cake.
Why is it Called an “Ugly Duckling Cake?”
You know, I’m not 100% sure… but I assumed it was because it wasn’t necessarily a beautiful cake on the outside but the inside was absolutely beautiful. (In looks and in taste!)
Plus, the outside of the cake has coconut flakes that could resemble a duck? That’s all just a guess but I’ll go with it! How about you?
The inside of the cake also has a nice little red surprise from the cherries in the fruit cocktail and the kids find that so fun!
Ingredients for Duckling Cake
- One box yellow cake mix
- 1 – 16 ounce can of fruit cocktail undrained
- 2 ½ cups of coconut (flaked and divided)
- two eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup of granulated/white sugar
- ½ cup of evaporated milk
Step-by-Step Directions
- Heat oven to 325 degrees f.
- Grease 9 x 13″ baking dish and set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix with can of fruit cocktail, one cup of coconut, and eggs (Image 1).
- Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for two minutes.
- Pour into prepared cake pan and then sprinkle with brown sugar (Image 2).
- Bake for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
- In a small saucepan bring butter, sugar, and evaporated milk to a boil (Image 3).
- Boil for two minutes stirring constantly remove from heat and stir in remaining coconut. Spread over hot cakes (Image 4). Served warm or cool!
Expert Tips and FAQs
You can store yellow duckling cake in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for a couple of days. Storing in the refrigerator may change the texture of the cake.
Yes! You can freeze this cake for up to 6 months. For the best flavor and texture, you’re going to want to make sure that the cake is completely thawed before serving.
No, white cake mix and yellow cake mix have different flavors and textures. Yellow cake mix will work much better for this recipe. There’s more about the differences on white vs yellow cake mix in this post!
What’s the difference between yellow and white cake mix?
Yellow cakes are made with egg yolks or whole eggs while white cake mixes are made with egg whites. In addition to that, yellow cake mix uses whole-wheat pastry flour while white cake mix uses all-purpose flour. These differences add body, flavor, and a more dense texture to the yellow cake mix.
What to Top an Ugly Duckling Cake with
There are so many yummy options for the top of the cake if you wish to do so! Here are great ideas to consider:
- cherries
- cool whip
- vanilla ice cream
- extra coconut flakes
- pecans
- almond slivers
They’d all taste amazing on top of the warm cake! Feel free to branch out from these options as well.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you love easy desserts like this one, especially if you love coconut, then you’ll also love these magic cookie bars! Or, if the fruit desserts are your favorite, then you’ll also love our pineapple cake!
Recipe
Ugly Duckling Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Box Yellow cake mix
- 16 ounce fruit cocktail undrained 1 can
- 2 ½ cups flaked coconut divided
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees f
- Grease 9 x 13" pan and set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix with can of fruit cocktail, one cup coconut, and eggs.
- Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for two minutes.
- Pour into prepared cake pan and then sprinkle with brown sugar (Image 2).
- Bake for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
- In a small sauce pan bring butter, sugar, and evaporated milk to a boil.
- Boil for two minutes stirring constantly remove from heat and stir in remaining coconut.
- Spread over hot cake. Served warm or cool!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
aprile Chandler says
Can you use crushed pineapple🍍
Jessica says
Hi Aprile! I haven’t tried that yet but I’d love to hear if you do! I do also have a pineapple dump cake that uses crushed pineapple that you may like too!
Phyllis says
I know this cake is going to be yummy because I have made some of your other recipes. Betty Crocker cake mix is 13 oz. Duncan Hines is 15 oz. Does it matter about the extra ounces? Thank you.
Jessica says
Hi Phyllis! Thank you, that’s really sweet. You know, they changed the size of the cake mix since this recipe was written, and normally I’d say it could make a difference but with this type of recipe, I don’t think that it should make a difference. Thank you for asking. That’s a great question!
Bj says
I made this a long time ago when my daughter was a 8 she is now 55 , but forgot about it. I just called it a fruit cocktail cake. I am glad to have found the recipe. Thank you.
Jessica says
Awww!! How sweet is that, thank you so much for sharing!
Regenia says
I used Splenda brown sugar and Splenda white sugar. It turned out great and it didn’t increase our diabetes by leaps and bounds. I also used one can pineapple chunks instead of fruit cocktail. Making it again today. Thank you for the recipe.
Jessica says
That’s so great to know! Thank you so much for sharing those details with us!
Donna Powers says
It was marvelous. Everyone loved it. I am making it on a regular basis because it has been such a hit.
Jessica says
That’s so great to hear that you like this ugly ducking cake Donna!! Thank you so much!
Lynn Daichendt says
This was so yummy!! I love coconut and the topping was so good. I tried it before putting it on the cake- a few times- and I had to stop before there was none left to put on the cake.😋😁
Jessica says
Haha, I love this so much Lynn. I’m so glad that you liked this Ugly Duckling cake too, thank you!
Melissa says
Ugly duckling cake is the best! My parents love when I bring this for dessert! Thanks for a great recipe!
Jessica says
Aww yay!! I’m so glad you like it too, thank you so much for sharing and for the rating!
Beth says
Oh wow! This is so yummy and delicious! Such a tasty and great recipe!
Jessica says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad it’s a winner!
Eden says
This is such a delicious cake! Easy to make and full of flavor. We loved it!
Jessica says
I’m thrilled you liked it Eden! Thank you so much for sharing! Feel free to give it a star rating if you get time! I’d love to help others know you loved it too!
Melissa says
Great recipe – easy to make ands so delicious!
Jessica says
Woo Hoo! So glad that you liked this cake recipe too! Thank you so much for sharing.
Andrea Thueson says
My family loved this cake! It was so full of flavor and was a cinch to put together. I will be making this one again very soon!
Jessica says
Woo hoo!! So glad to hear that you liked it too! Thank you so much for sharing and for leaving a review!
Heidi Schaffer says
So easy! And super delicious. Love the name too!
Jessica says
Thank you!! It’s so easy and yes! The name is quite the conversation starter! 🙂