Here's one that kinda sounds close:

Fruit Cocktail Cake recipe
Posted by ginnyo at recipegoldmine.com 6/30/01 3:10:28 pm

Cake Batter:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 can fruit cocktail with heavy syrup, undrained
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, eggs and the entire can of fruit cocktail including the syrup. Mix until just moistened. You still may have some lumps in it, but don't over-mix. Spread into a greased floured 9 x 12 x 2-inch pan. Mix nuts, coconut and brown sugar. Sprinkle over cake. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Just before the cake is done baking, make the frosting. Mix sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and add vanilla extract.

When the cake is removed from the overn, pour the boiling frosting liquid over the hot cake.