HAWAIIAN LUAU CAKE

Note: This recipe is fine for most diabetics but remember only 1 serving a day! The key to enjoying desserts is to eat them in small quantities. My aunt gave me this recipe years ago. After being diagnosed as diabetic I redid the recipe to make it diabetic-friendly. This cake will work for most diabetics as a special occasion cake. It is also a good dessert to take when asked to bring a dish. I suggest always taking a dessert so you know there is one you can have with everyone else. And remember it is a dessert. One small slice per occasion or day.

1 box sugar-free yellow cake mix
1/2 cup coconut oil (or olive oil)
1 can (16-oz) mandarin oranges, drained (reserve some juice)
4 large eggs
1 tub (16-oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (use sugar free or 1 g sugar per serving)
1 can (16-oz) crushed pineapple in its own juice, drained
1 large box instant sugar-free vanilla pudding mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour 2 8" or 9" round cake pans; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, mix the cake mix, oil, oranges, and eggs together until well blended. Pour batter evenly into the two prepared pans.

Bake cakes at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove pans to a wire rack and cool cakes in pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on the wire rack.

Mix the whipped topping, pineapple, and pudding mix together until well blended. Add a little of the reserved pineapple juice if needed to get to spreading consistency.

Place 1 cake layer on a cake plate and spread top with the whipped topping mixture. Top with the second layer then spread the remaining topping mixture over the top and sides of the cake.

Keep cake refrigerated until serving time and refrigerate leftovers.

file photo.