Foodie Duty - Mt. Dew Cake

I think I've told you all that I'm working some unconventional hours for a couple weeks.

4 am to noon Tuesday through Friday, then midnight to 8 am Saturday.

Guess who drew the short straw at work?

Those ungodly hours have me exploring unusual ways to help me wake up and fall asleep at the appropriate times. I'm beginning to understand why Elvis so appreciated his uppers and downers.

But I digress.

This morning I'm turning to an unconventional source for caffeine. Cake. Who knew some Duncan Hines had the kick needed to wake a body up during vampire's hours?

As a drink, I pretty much hate Mountain Dew. Something about the color or flavor... I distinctly remember getting dry heaves when two co-workers were talking ad nauseum about the benefits of The Dew on the Graveyard Shit Shift.

But I am more than happy to eat a cake by the same name.

One of my co-workers makes MDC for birthdays, holidays and other celebrations. It's a citrus flavored, gooey mess of cake and syrupy sugar.

I mean, how bad can it be, right?

Try it yourself.

Orange Mountain Dew Cake recipe

1 (18.25 ounce) box orange cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 small box coconut pudding mix (not instant)
4 eggs
1 (10 ounce) Mountain Dew drink (cold)

Mix together cake mix and pudding mix. Add oil; mix well. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in cold drink. Beat well for 2 or 3 minutes. Pour into three layer pans. Bake in preheated 325 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Topping
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 large can crushed pineapple
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup flaked coconut

Mix sugar and cornstarch together. Add pineapple. Cook over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat. Add butter and coconut. Mix until butter is melted. Spread between cake layers, on top and sides.