Watergate Cake

Watergate Cake

This vintage Watergate Cake is a pistachio, pecan, and coconut dessert that's topped with a creamy whipped frosting.

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix

    15.25 ounce

  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 small box instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup club soda

    7UP, or ginger ale

  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans
  • ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 envelopes Dream Whip

    2.6 oz total

  • 1 ¼ cups cold milk
  • 1 small box instant pistachio pudding mix
  • ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, pudding mix, eggs and soda. Using an electric mixer, beat on low speed for about 30 seconds, and then on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes (scraping the sides of the bowl regularly). Fold in the pecans and coconut. Transfer batter to prepared baking dish.

  3. 3

    Bake the cake at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.

  4. 4

    Once the cake is cool, prepare the frosting.

  5. 5

    In a large bowl, combine Dream Whip and cold milk. Beat on high speed until soft peaks form (about 4-5 minutes). Add pudding mix and beat until fluffy. Spread on cake and sprinkle coconut and pecans over top.

Watergate Cake

Watergate Cake

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About this Recipe

Craving a delightful taste of nostalgia? This vintage Watergate Cake brings together a unique blend of flavors in a moist, fluffy dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. You’ll love how simple it is to achieve this show-stopping cake, perfect for any gathering or a sweet weeknight treat.

What makes this Watergate Cake truly special is its ingenious combination of pantry staples to create an unforgettable experience. Starting with a white cake mix as its base, it incorporates instant pistachio pudding for a lovely green hue and subtle nutty flavor, alongside the unexpected lift of club soda, 7UP, or ginger ale. This unique liquid ingredient contributes to the cake’s incredibly tender crumb, making it stand out from traditional recipes. The creamy whipped frosting, also featuring pistachio pudding and a generous helping of coconut and pecans, truly elevates every bite.

Expect a cake that's wonderfully moist, with a light and airy texture. Each slice delivers a harmonious balance of sweet, nutty, and slightly tropical notes from the coconut. The cake itself is gently flavored with pistachio, while the frosting adds a rich, creamy contrast with the delightful crunch of pecans and chewiness of coconut flakes. It’s a truly comforting dessert that feels both celebratory and familiar, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Want to make it your own? If you're not a fan of pecans, walnuts or even slivered almonds would be a delicious substitute. For a slightly different twist on the cake's lift, you can experiment with lemon-lime soda if you prefer its flavor over club soda or ginger ale. To enhance the coconut flavor even further, a touch of coconut extract could be added to the frosting.

This Watergate Cake is ideal for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to serve a memorable dessert with minimal fuss. It pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk, letting its unique flavors shine.

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