3 (20 oz.) cans pineapple chunks in heavy syrup, undrained
4 1/2 c. sugar, divided
1 1/2 c. light corn syrup
3/4 c. PLUS 2 T. butter or margarine, divided
1/4 tsp. butter flavoring
1 1/2 c. salted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
1 c. flaked coconut, chopped
2 c. sifted flour, divided
5 large eggs
2 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
In a large, heavy pan, heat the pineapple chunks, 3 c. of the sugar and the corn syrup. Stir until
all of the sugar is dissolved. Boil gently for about 50 minutes, stirring frequently as the mixture thickens.
Add the 2 T. of butter or margarine and the butter flavoring. Continue cooking 10 minutes longer until the pineapple
chunks are lightly caramelized and the syrup is thick. Remove the pan from the heat and let set for 30 minutes.
Place a rack above a shallow baking pan. With a slotted spoon, remove the pineapple chunks from the syrup and place
on the rack. Place the pan in an oven preheated to 225 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow to cool for several hours
or overnight. (The remaining syrup is good served over pancakes or waffles.) Line 3 loaf pans with waxed paper.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Reserve 1 c. of the candied pineapple. Coat the remaining candied pineapple,
macadamia nuts and coconut with 1/4 c. of the flour. Using an electric mixer at slow speed in a large bowl, cream the
remaining 3/4 c. of butter or margarine (which has been brought to room temperature) and the remaining 1 1/2 c. of sugar.
Add the eggs one at a time. (Beat each at least 30 seconds before adding the next.) Beat in the remaining 1 3/4
c. of flour alternately with the milk which has been combined with the vanilla. Mix until well blended. With a
spoon, stir in the pineapple-nut mixture. Divide the batter evenly amongst the prepared loaf pans. Divide the
reserved candied pineapple and press into the top of the batter on each loaf. Bake until the cakes test done -- about
75 to 90 minutes. Cool in the pans on racks for 15 minutes. Turn out, cool completely and remove the waxed paper.
(Wrapped and stored in the refrigerator, this cake keeps well.)