Best 7 Ugly Duckling Cake Recipes

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The "ugly duckling cake" is a delightful dessert that has gained popularity for its unique transformation from an unassuming appearance to a stunning culinary masterpiece. This cake is often characterized by its initial rustic or imperfect exterior, which contrasts beautifully with its elegant and intricate design once sliced open. The name itself, "ugly duckling cake," alludes to the classic fairy tale, where an initially disregarded creature transforms into a beautiful swan, mirroring the cake's own metamorphosis during the baking process. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps to create a stunning "ugly duckling cake" that will impress your friends and family with its delightful flavors and captivating presentation.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

ORIGINAL UGLY DUCKLING CAKE



Original Ugly Duckling Cake image

From the early 70s, this cake is easy and moist. Made with a cake mix and canned fruit cocktail, it's really not ugly at all.

Provided by Paula Todora

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 yellow cake mix
1 can(s) 16 ounces fruit cocktail in heavy syrup
2 1/2 c sweetened coconut
2 eggs
1/2 c light brown sugar
1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c canned evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • 2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add cake mix, fruit cocktail with syrup, 1 cup of the coconut and the eggs. Mix on medium low for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake 45 minutes, or until set but don't overbake.
  • 3. While cake is cooking, make topping by heating the butter, sugar and milk on medium low in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Once it boils, boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining coconut. Pour over hot cake when removed from oven. Serve warm or cool.

ORIGINAL UGLY DUCKLING CAKE RECIPE - (4.3/5)



Original Ugly Duckling Cake Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by carmen-2

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 yellow cake mix
1 can (16 ounces) fruit cocktail in heavy syrup
2 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
2 eggs
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup canned evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add cake mix, fruit cocktail with syrup, 1 cup of the coconut and the eggs. Mix on medium low for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake 45 minutes, or until set but don't over bake. While cake is cooking, make topping by heating the butter, sugar and milk on medium low in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Once it boils, boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining coconut. Pour over hot cake when removed from oven. Serve warm or cool.

UGLY DUCKLING CAKE



Ugly Duckling Cake image

Family favorite

Provided by Jacki Allen

Categories     Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pkg 2- layer size yellow cake mix
1 can(s) 16 oz fruit cocktail
2 2/3 c flaked coconut
2 eggs
1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 c butter or margerine
1/2 c grabulated white sugar
1/2 c evaporated milk

Steps:

  • 1. Combine cake mix, fruit, 1 1/3 cups of coconut and eggs. Blend and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
  • 2. Bring butter, sugar, and milk to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining coconut. Spoon over warm cake. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream.
  • 3. If you use cake mix with pudding adjust recipe to 3 eggs and 1/3 cup oil.

UGLY DUCKLING CAKE



Ugly Duckling Cake image

Dont let the name of this cake fool ya! It is delicious!

Provided by Laura Davis

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 pkg lemon instant pudding
16 oz can fruit cocktail
1 c coconut
4 eggs
1/4 c vegetable oil
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chopped pecans
FROSTING
1/2 c butter
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c evaporated milk

Steps:

  • 1. Blend cake mix and instant lemon filling together with mixer. Add fruit cocktail, coconut and oil, then beat eggs until foamy and add to cake mixture. Pour into 13 x 9 inch greased cake pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/2 cup chopped pecans over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
  • 2. Mix oleo, granulated sugar and evaporated milk. Boil for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups coconut. Pour on top of cake (when cooled).

UGLY DUCKLING CAKE II



Ugly Duckling Cake II image

This is also called Fruit Cocktail Cake. It originally called for 2 cups of sugar, but I found it too sweet and cut it to 1 cup.

Provided by Betty Howry

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Sheet Cake Recipes

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
1 (16 ounce) can fruit cocktail
1 cup white sugar
1 cup milk
½ cup butter
1 cup flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Sift together flour, 1 cup sugar, salt, and baking soda. Beat 2 eggs and pour over dry mixture. Add fruit cocktail. Stir together.
  • Grease and flour pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes.
  • Over low heat, cook together 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and coconut. Pour over cake while still hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.6 calories, Carbohydrate 49.6 g, Cholesterol 42.4 mg, Fat 8.7 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 317.9 mg, Sugar 29.3 g

UGLY DUCKLING CAKE I



Ugly Duckling Cake I image

Yellow cake mix, canned fruit cocktail, coconut, and nuts blend in this recipe that may look a bit 'ugly,' but tastes great.

Provided by Glenda

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Cake Mix Cake Recipes     Coconut Cake

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (16 ounce) can fruit cocktail
1 ½ cups flaked coconut
2 eggs
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup butter
½ cup white sugar
½ cup evaporated milk

Steps:

  • Combine cake mix, undrained fruit, 1 cup coconut and eggs.
  • Blend; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes and pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
  • Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Bring butter, sugar and milk to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut. Spoon over warm cake. Top with prepared whipped topping, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.1 g, Cholesterol 36.8 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 261.1 mg, Sugar 27 g

UGLY DUCKLING PUDDING CAKE



Ugly Duckling Pudding Cake image

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (18 1/4-ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 (3-ounce) box instant lemon pudding mix
1 (16-ounce) can fruit cocktail, including syrup
1 cup flaked coconut
4 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Butter Glaze:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Blend all ingredients except brown sugar and nuts in large mixer bowl. Beat 4 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer. Pour into greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts. Bake at 325° for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed and pulls away from sides of pan. Do not underbake. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Spoon hot Butter Glaze over warm cake. Serve warm or cool, with prepared whipped topping, if desired. For Butter Glaze: Combine butter, sugar, and milk in saucepan; boil 2 minutes. Stir in coconut. Most good cooks caution not to try a new recipe for guests unless you are 90% sure it will come out right. If you are using a cookbook you can trust, then your success ratio goes way up. Like good cookbooks, name-brand cake mixes are made so well these days that there is little doubt they will bake and taste good if you follow the instructions carefully.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This will help your ingredients mix together more easily and create a smoother batter.
  • Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can toughen the cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake at the Right Temperature: The temperature of your oven can greatly affect the outcome of your cake. Make sure to preheat your oven to the correct temperature before baking.
  • Don't Open the Oven Door: Opening the oven door during baking can cause the cake to fall. Resist the temptation to peek!
  • Let the Cake Cool Completely: Before you frost or decorate the cake, let it cool completely. This will help prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

The Ugly Duckling Cake is a delicious and fun twist on the classic chocolate cake. With its moist chocolate cake layers, creamy chocolate frosting, and adorable duckling decoration, it's sure to be a hit at any party or gathering. Follow these tips to ensure your Ugly Duckling Cake turns out perfectly:
  • Prepare all your ingredients and equipment before starting to bake.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
  • Don't overmix the batter.
  • Bake the cake at the right temperature.
  • Don't open the oven door during baking.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting or decorating.
With a little effort, you can create a beautiful and delicious Ugly Duckling Cake that will impress your friends and family.

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