Pistachio Pudding And Sprite Make Yellow Cake Mix Irresistible

Cake mix is a wonderful way to streamline your sweet treats. Of course, working with your favorite store-bought brand doesn't mean you must strictly adhere to the directions on the box. For an irresistible combo reminiscent of retro recipes, all you need is a packet of pistachio pudding and some Sprite to transform a basic yellow cake into a dessert affectionately known as "Watergate cake."

Though found among lists of bizarre vintage cakes nobody eats anymore, this treat can be as timely as you make it. It's a simple way to dress up your dessert by filling it with nutty richness and effervescent citrus flavors. To prepare the dessert, start with your preferred brand of yellow cake mix and skip the vegetable oil and water typically called for in the instructions, instead adding three to four eggs, a packet of pistachio pudding, and a cup of Sprite or your choice of lemon-lime soda. Mix everything together and pour the batter into a greased baking pan, putting it in the oven to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Some recipes call for white cake mix in lieu of yellow, which is a matter of personal taste. You can also accentuate this cake with a frosting made from another packet of pistachio pudding, room temperature butter, confectioners' sugar, and cold milk. As Sprite makes a flavorful substitute for the water in your boxed cake mix, this can also influence your choice of frosting and other complementary ingredient additions to further liven up your cake.

Consider the ingredients of a classic Watergate salad recipe, and lean into these flavors to further enhance your cake mix. For example, try mixing in a portion of canned crushed pineapple that you've taken care to properly drain so as not to water down your cake mix. Similarly, you can add even more nutty flavor with finely chopped pecans either in your cake mix or on top as a garnish to play off of the pistachio pudding that's already present.

When frosting your Watergate cake, dot it with halved maraschino cherries or miniature marshmallows to make your green dessert even more colorful. Whether made with yellow or white cake mix, the green tint from the pistachio pudding and lightweight liquid of Sprite will enhance both the look and overall feel of the tasty treat. There are also several ways to bring this vintage recipe into a more modern context.

Instead of serving standard slices of a round cake, use a rectangular baking dish. Once your cake has cooled completely, use cookie cutters to portion out the cake into smaller, fun shapes that you can frost individually for a diminutive dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Put these out on a dessert board among other colorful petit fours and cookies for a vibrant spread. And YouTuber That40yearguy shows how easy it is to prepare your cake.