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Watergate Cake Recipe
4.4 from 10 votes

Watergate Cake Recipe

Watergate Cake brings together pistachio, coconut, and pudding in a delicious layer cake! A light whipped frosting and pecans on top make it hard to stop at just one slice.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 348 kcal
Course: Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the cake:
  • 1 box white cake mix 18.25 ounce
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix 3 ounce
  • 1 cup lemon-lime soda
  • 3 egg large
  • ½ cup pecans toasted optional, chopped
  • ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix 3 ounce
  • 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
  • ½ cup pecans toasted optional, chopped
  • ½ cup coconut sweetened shredded

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In large mixer bowl at medium speed, add cake mix, oil, pudding, eggs, and soda. Fold in chopped pecans and coconut.
  2. Pour into greased & floured 9-inch round baking pans and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
  3. For the frosting, combine pudding mix & milk until slightly thickened (about 2 minutes). Slowly, fold in the Cool Whip until combined. Spread on first layer of cake. Top with second cake layer and cover cake completely in frosting.
  4. Press pecans and coconut into cake and refrigerate two hours or more. Serve cold!

Notes

  • Cake Mix- can't find the 18oz size? This works with 15 oz too.
  • Cool Whip. The original recipe called for Dream Whip. If desired, use 2 envelopes with milk. Beat until fluffly, then add in pudding mix.
  • Refrigerate. Keep Watergate Cake chilled for best results. You can also freeze this cake by wrapping individual slices in a plastic wrap, then sliding them into a freezer bag.
  • Toasted coconut variation. Adding coconut to the cake adds so much moisture. But, some people don't like it ON TOP of the cake. If that's you, try toasting the coconut for a sweet candy crunch instead.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 348kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 24g (141%) Cholesterol 49mg (16%) Sodium 102mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 10g (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 348

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 348kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 24g 141%
Cholesterol 49mg 16%
Sodium 102mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 10g 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.