Alice and Angie's Watergate Cake

                                                                    

If this isn't 1970's I don't know what is! For whatever reason, a dozen or so recipes using pistachio pudding mix came out and all were dubbed with"Watergate"in the name. Now we all know about the Watergate Scandal that happened in 1974, but why pistachio pudding mix was used is what puzzles me, but it is easy to date these recipes to the 1974/75 years.
I remember Alice making this cake to take to church functions, to have for us kids to eat, and for special times. It is a moist and refreshing cake. If you like Watergate Salad, you will like this cake.
Angie now makes this cake for special occasions and so it has become one of her personal recipes .

Alice and Angie's Watergate Cake

1 Box (18 3/4 ounces) white cake mix
1 pkg (3 3/4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix
3 eggs
1 cup oil*
1 cup Club soda or 7Up
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Frosting, follows

In large mixing bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, and 7Up; beat on medium speed for 4 minutes, scraping down sides occasionally. Stir in walnuts.Use either a 10" tube pan or 2-9" round cake pans, well greased and floured. Pour batter in pan(s) and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until tests done. Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pan(s) to cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
Store all leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
*use light olive oil

Watergate Frosting

2 pkgs. Dream Whip
1 1/2 cups milk
1 pkg (3 3/4 ounce) instant pistachio pudding mix

With electric mixer beat the Dream Whip and milk until peaks form. Add in the pudding mix and beat till fluffy. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.