Dreamy Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Recipe: A Taste of Paradise

Hawaiian sunshine dances through every slice of this pineapple cake, bringing tropical memories to your plate.

Sweet memories bloom from each golden-hued crumb.

Layers of warm, moist goodness tell stories of island breezes and relaxed afternoons.

Grandma’s cherished recipe whispers secrets of perfect texture and delicate flavor.

Soft pineapple chunks nestle between tender cake layers, creating unexpected bursts of brightness.

Vibrant yet comforting, each bite feels like a mini vacation.

We dare you to resist this delectable tropical treat.

Hawaiian Pineapple Cake That’s Moist, Fruity, and Loved by All

Quick Tropical Treat: Effortless Baking Delight

• Minimal Prep Magic: Combines simple boxed cake mix with tropical ingredients, reducing complicated steps and making baking super accessible for everyone.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers sweet, tangy Hawaiian-inspired flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, perfect for gatherings and casual dessert moments.
• Adaptable Weekend Wonder: Requires standard kitchen tools, minimal technical skills, and just 45 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for spontaneous weekend baking adventures.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Works brilliantly for potlucks, summer parties, birthdays, and casual get-togethers, bringing a sunshine-inspired touch to any occasion.

Gather These for Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• Cake Mix: A convenient base for quick and delicious cake preparation. Choose a white or yellow cake mix for best results. High-quality mixes ensure better texture.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds moisture and tropical flavor to the cake. Drain excess juice before adding to prevent soggy texture. Fresh or canned works well.
• Shredded Coconut: Provides texture and authentic Hawaiian taste. Unsweetened or sweetened varieties can be used. Toasted coconut intensifies flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender. Neutral-flavored oils work best. Choose refined oils for consistent results.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure. Room temperature eggs mix more easily. Fresh eggs create better cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract offers richer taste compared to artificial versions.

• Cream Cheese: Creates rich and tangy frosting base. Full-fat cream cheese provides best consistency. Softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize frosting. Unsalted butter allows better flavor control. Should be softened before mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting. Sift to prevent lumps. Adjust quantity for desired sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency if needed. Optional ingredient for achieving perfect spreadability. Can substitute with milk.
• Maraschino Cherries: Optional garnish for additional color and sweetness. Provides decorative touch to finished cake.
• Pineapple Chunks: Optional topping for extra tropical presentation. Fresh or canned chunks work well.

Pineapple Cake Hawaiian Baking Method

Step 1: Mix Cake Magic

• Cake mix
• Shredded coconut
• Crushed pineapple (drain the juice)
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk everything together until the batter becomes smooth and dreamy.

The mixture should look sunny and inviting.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Canvas

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour.

This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures a perfect release.

Step 3: Transform Batter Into Cake

Pour the golden batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Make sure every corner gets some love.

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let the magic happen for 30-35 minutes.

Step 4: Test Cake Perfection

Check the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.

If it comes out clean, your cake is ready!

Pull it out and let it cool completely in the pan.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

If the frosting feels too thick, splash in a bit of heavy cream or milk to reach the perfect consistency.

Step 6: Dress Your Cake

Once the cake has cooled, spread the luscious frosting across the top like a soft, sweet blanket.

For extra tropical vibes, sprinkle toasted coconut, add maraschino cherries, and scatter pineapple chunks.

Step 7: Slice And Celebrate

Cut the cake into delightful squares and serve.

Get ready to transport your taste buds to a Hawaiian paradise with every single bite!

Cake Baking Tips for Hawaiian Pineapple Dessert

• Squeeze out excess moisture from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake texture and ensure your cake remains light and fluffy.
• Toast shredded coconut in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake's presentation.
• Insert a toothpick at a slight angle to get an accurate reading of the cake's internal moisture, ensuring a perfectly baked dessert every time.
• Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create smooth, even frosting layers with minimal effort and maximum visual appeal.
• Let cream cheese, butter, and eggs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing to create a more homogeneous and creamy frosting.

Pineapple Cake Storage Guide

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For better texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting.
• Place a paper towel over the cake before sealing to absorb excess moisture and prevent the frosting from sticking to the cover.

Great Pairings for Pineapple Cake

Savor Tropical Beverage Companions: Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Pairings

• Brew Tropical Cocktail: Mix a refreshing mai tai with rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup to complement the cake's sweet pineapple notes and enhance the Hawaiian theme.
• Select Creamy Coffee Match: Enjoy a coconut latte or macadamia nut coffee that echoes the cake's coconut undertones and provides a smooth, rich contrast to the dessert's sweetness.
• Create Dessert Wine Experience: Pair with a chilled moscato or late harvest riesling, which offers light sweetness and fruity undertones that beautifully balance the cake's creamy frosting and tropical flavors.
• Craft Fruit Smoothie Option: Blend a passion fruit or mango smoothie that amplifies the cake's tropical essence and provides a refreshing, light accompaniment to the rich dessert.

Pineapple Cake Tropical Versions

• Gluten-Free Hawaiian Cake: Replace traditional cake mix with gluten-free yellow cake mix, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Tropical Delight: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based cream cheese and vegan butter for frosting, and swap regular cake mix with vegan-friendly alternative.
• Low-Sugar Hawaiian Treat: Use sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener, and opt for reduced-sugar cream cheese to create a diabetic-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free Pineapple Paradise: Utilize coconut cream cheese alternative, dairy-free butter substitute, and almond milk to create a lactose-free cake that maintains rich tropical flavors.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

While you can use fresh pineapple, canned pineapple works best for this recipe because it provides the right moisture and consistency. Fresh pineapple might make the cake too wet or change the texture.

• Is there a way to make this cake less sweet?

Reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting and choose a less sweet cake mix. You can also use reduced-sugar cream cheese to help control the overall sweetness of the cake.

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix. Ensure all other ingredients like cream cheese and vanilla extract are also certified gluten-free.

• What if I don't have a 9×13-inch pan?

You can use two 8-inch round cake pans or a 9-inch square pan. Just adjust baking time slightly and check for doneness with a toothpick. The batter volume remains the same.

Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Hawaiian Pineapple Cake brings tropical paradise straight to your dessert plate, blending sweet island flavors with rich, moist texture. Creamy frosting and caramelized pineapple layers promise a delightful escape that will transport you to sunny Hawaiian shores with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) crushed pineapple, drained

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Optional Garnishes:

• Shredded coconut (toasted)
• Maraschino cherries
• Pineapple chunks

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation of this tropical delight by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease and flour coating.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, unite the cake mix, shredded coconut, and drained crushed pineapple, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
3. Introduce vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mixture, whisking until the batter transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Gently transfer the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution that promises uniform baking.
5. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and allow the cake to bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for the telltale sign of doneness when a toothpick emerges clean from the center.
6. Carefully extract the cake from the oven and let it rest and cool completely within its baking pan, allowing the flavors to settle and intensify.
7. While the cake cools, whip the cream cheese and butter in a separate bowl until they merge into a smooth, luxurious texture.
8. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to blend until the frosting achieves a perfect, velvety consistency.
9. Should the frosting appear too dense, delicately introduce small amounts of heavy cream or milk until it reaches an ideal spreadable state.
10. Once the cake has thoroughly cooled, generously cloak the surface with the prepared frosting, creating an even, inviting layer.
11. Elevate the presentation by scattering toasted shredded coconut, vibrant maraschino cherries, and succulent pineapple chunks across the frosted landscape.
12. Slice into elegant squares and serve, inviting your guests to savor this tropical-inspired confection that promises a delightful culinary journey.

Notes

• Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy, using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth for best results.
• Substitute gluten-free cake mix for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Toast coconut beforehand in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor and added crunch, watching carefully to prevent burning.
• Reduce sugar in frosting by using low-fat cream cheese and cutting powdered sugar quantity for a lighter, less sweet topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg