PINEAPPLE PUDDING CAKE (BEST CAKE I EVER MADE.) RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl combine the pudding mixes, most of the milk, beat for 2 minutes. (as mentioned in the description I warm a half cup of the milk and mix it into the cream cheese separately and beat for a minute to make sure cream cheese is smooth then add to the pudding mixture.) Add softened cream cheese (can warm in microwave on say 30 temp for a minute) and add the portion of warmed milk and beat well to smooth out all bumps, (if you attempt this with cold, or even room temp cream cheese you will have cream cheese lumps and the texture of the pudding will just not be a good thing.) Chill the pudding mixture while cake is baking and cooling. Make cake batter according to package directions using pineapple juice reserved from crushed pineapple in place of most of the water. If the pineapple juice does not equal the liquid you need for the recipe then add water to the juice to comply. Pour into two greased 9 x 13 pans or one greased 18 x 12 jelly roll pan. Or, 2 9 inch round cake pans (recommended) but makes a nice sheet cake also. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until toothpick or long piece or uncooked spaghetti inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool completely. Spread thick layer, at least half inch, pudding mixture over cooled cake. Sprinkle well-drained pineapple over pudding. If making two layers, use half the pineapple on the first layer the rest on the next layer. Cover the whole thing with thick dollops of Cool Whip, don't try to just spread it on for the top, use the dollop method. then smooth together - cover the whole cake if cooked in round cake pans, that means the sides with the Cool Whip seals in and keeps the cake moist. To store cover lightly with plastic wrap and re-smooth once the plastic is removed. Don't pat down the plastic wrap. Chill cake for about 4 hours or until ready to serve. Best if made the night before so the flavors can meld. Be careful, if you make a large batch, will be heavy put on a sturdy pan or platter. Repeat: I know that this sounds daunting but it is not, I have just added so much information that it seems that way. It's really just a yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding with cream cheese, drained pineapple, and Cool Whip. Dedicated to Julie, Cookie, and Beverly, my amazing sisters.