It was the ‘80s. The era of big hair, big shoulder pads, and big appetites. Disco fever raged on dance floors lighted by a mirrored ball overhead. Sweat flavored the manic gyrations of those in quest of a mate.

Greed was espoused—lauded by Gordon Gekko—until Tom Wolfe’s novel, The Bonfire of the Vanities suggested that one wrong turn could topple an ambitious man’s house of cards. Upping the ante in the era of excess were foodies who dared to name their recipes…

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE

You want the recipe, don’t you…nod your head. I can hear you pant as your eyes sweep the page. This is the recipe guaranteed to lift you higher, without the ubiquitous ingredient of party times in the ‘80s: cocaine.

So, let’s get hot! Set the oven at 350 degrees and whip up the ingredients to pour into a 9 X 13 baking pan. The recipe indicates that servings for a dozen people will be made, so text your favorites to come over in an hour. The party is going down!

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE

1 (18 ½ ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (1 lb., 4 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 cup sugar
1 (6 oz.) vanilla pudding mix
I cup whipping cream, whipped stiff and sweetened
Flake coconut, lightly toasted

Prepare the cake mix right in the 9 X 13 oven-safe pan. To keep yourself busy while you wait with bated breath, combine the crushed pineapple and sugar in a saucepan and stir to a boil. Cool a little.

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions. Cool.

Pierce the baked masterpiece with your favorite fork. Pour pineapple mixture over  it. Slather pudding mixture over the top. Chill.

Just before serving, cover with sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with coconut.

Cut the cake. If desired, garnish with canned pineapple slices.

Life as a Miracle

Guzzle your beverage of choice and eat cake with abandon. Do or do not wait for your friend(s).

P.S. if your Valentine’s Day didn’t meet your expectations or needs, then try this easy recipe.