The original do nothing tornado cake recipe is absolutely mouthwatering! A classic mash up of two all time favorite cakes.
My mother and I would make this cake together (and one of the first she taught me how to make) and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Me and my kids still get excited to whip it together. It’s such a delicious recipe and I seriously do not know a single person who tried it and didn’t love it too.
There are a number of different versions out there, but in my (maybe biased) opinion, this is the best one out there.
The flavors combine just perfectly and it really is a simple recipe so I don’t know how to improve it (but if you have any ideas please let me know:)
How To Make A “Do Nothing” Tornado Cake

For this version I use almonds (I think it’s the perfect nut) but you can use pistachios, walnuts, pecans, or even cashews.
And when it’s time to pour your topping on, make sure your cake is still warm. This will ensure a moist and oh so delicious finish.
Do Nothing Tornado Cake Ingredients
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 20 oz. Crushed Pineapple
Topping Ingredients
- 1 1/3 Cups Sweet Coconut Flakes
- 1 Cup Chopped Almonds
- 1/2 Cup Salted Butter
- 2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
Let’s start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease your 13″x9″ baking pan.
Now add your cake ingredients to a mixing bowl. Blend your sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, baking soda, pure vanilla extract, and pineapple and mix until well blended.
Pour your cake batter into your greased baking pan and pop it in the oven for about forty minutes. Your cake is ready to come out when it’s golden brown.
Now it’s time to make your topping. Add your evaporated milk, vanilla extract, butter, and sugar to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil while stirring.
Once boiling add your nuts, and flaked coconut and continue to stir as you cook it for five more minutes on medium heat.
Remove from heat and poke holes in your cake with a fork. Make the holes about 3/4 of the way deep and all over the top of your cake.
Pour your hot topping over your warm cake. The topping is going to soak all through your cake and make it crazy tasty!
Serve and enjoy!

Original Do Nothing Tornado Cake
Equipment
- 9"x13" Baking Pan
- Mixer
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 Large Eggs
- ½ tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 20 oz. Crushed Pineapple
Topping
- 1⅓ Cups Sweet Coconut Flakes
- 1 Cup Almonds Chopped
- ½ Cup Salted Butter
- ⅔ Cup Evaporated Milk
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp. Almond Extract
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease your 9"x13" baking pan.
- Add sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, baking soda, vanilla extract, and pineapple to mixing bowl and blend until well combined.
- Pour your cake batter into greased baking pan and bake for about 40 minutes. Cake is done when it is golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Topping
- Now it's time to make your topping. Add your evaporated milk, vanilla extract, butter, and sugar to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil while stirring. Once boiling add your nuts, and flaked coconut and continue to stir as you cook it for five more minutes on medium heat.Remove from heat and poke holes in your cake with a fork. Make the holes about 3/4 of the way deep and all over the top of your cake.Pour your hot topping over your warm cake. The topping is going to soak all through your cake and make it crazy tasty!
- Add evaporated milk, vanilla, butter, and sugar to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring.
- Once boiling, add your nuts and flaked coconut. Stir and cook for five minutes on medium heat.
- Remove from heat.
Put It Together
- Poke holes in cake with a fork all across the top. Go about 3/4 deep.
- Pour hot topping over warm cake.
- Serve and enjoy!