Let’s assemble and “bake” this tropical orange cake in the slow cooker:

1. Prepare Pudding Layer in Slow Cooker:

• Grease the insert of your 5-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or a little butter.
• Pour the 3 cups of cold 2% milk into the greased slow cooker insert.
• Add the dry instant coconut cream pudding mix powder to the milk.
• Whisk the milk and pudding mix together directly in the slow cooker for about 2 minutes, until the pudding mix is dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken slightly.

2. Prepare Cake Batter with Pineapple:

• In a large mixing bowl, prepare the orange cake mix batter according to the package directions, using the ingredients (typically eggs, oil, and water) specified on the box.
• Once the batter is prepared, gently fold in the ¾ cup of drained, unsweetened pineapple tidbits using a rubber spatula.

3. Layer Cake Batter Over Pudding:

• Carefully pour or spoon the prepared orange cake batter (with pineapple) evenly over the top of the coconut pudding mixture in the slow cooker. Try to spread it gently without disturbing the pudding layer too much.

4. Cook the Cake:

• Cover the slow cooker securely with its lid.
• Cook on the LOW heat setting for approximately 4 hours. The cake is done when the edges appear golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake layer comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs (it might be slightly moist from the pudding underneath). The pudding layer at the bottom will remain very moist and custard-like.

5. Add Marshmallow Topping and Rest:

• Once the cake is cooked, turn off the slow cooker. Carefully remove the slow cooker insert from the heating base (using oven mitts, as it will be hot) and place it on a heatproof surface.
• Immediately sprinkle the 2 cups of quartered toasted coconut marshmallows evenly over the top of the hot cake. The residual heat will help them soften and become slightly gooey.
• Let the cake stand, uncovered, for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the marshmallows to soften slightly and the cake to set up a bit more.

6. Serve:

• Serve the Slow-Cooker Tropical Orange Cake warm, spooned directly from the slow cooker insert into bowls.
• It’s delicious on its own or with an extra dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired (not listed, but common for warm cakes).

A unique and effortless way to “bake” a cake!