Tropical Paradise: Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Recipe for Summer Joy

My kitchen adventures recently discovered a mouthwatering Hawaiian pineapple cake that feels like a tropical dream on a plate.

Sweet aromas of caramelized fruit and warm spices instantly transport you to sunny island landscapes.

Fresh ingredients blend into a delectable dessert that celebrates pacific culinary traditions.

Cutting through soft, moist layers bursting with vibrant pineapple flavor.

Tender crumbs promise a delightful experience that balances sweetness with subtle complexity.

Each slice tells a story of sun-drenched orchards and family recipes passed through generations.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this extraordinary cake.

Why You’ll Love Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• Bursting with Tropical Flavors: This Hawaiian pineapple cake delivers a vibrant explosion of sweet, tangy pineapple mixed with creamy frosting that transports you straight to a sunny beach paradise.
• Super Simple Baking Method: Incredibly easy recipe with minimal steps, perfect for novice bakers who want a delicious dessert without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture Delight: Enjoy a moist, tender cake with a rich cream cheese frosting that creates a perfect balance of softness and creamy richness, making it irresistible for all ages.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, summer parties, or as a quick weekend dessert that requires minimal prep time and maximum satisfaction.

What You’ll Need for Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
• Crushed Pineapple: Brings tropical flavor and natural sweetness, adds moisture to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth of flavor and aromatic notes.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, smooth base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Shredded Coconut: Optional topping for added texture and tropical feel.
• Chopped Nuts: Optional garnish for crunch and extra flavor.

Steps to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create the Magical Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt

Crack in the eggs, dump in the crushed pineapple with its luscious juice, and splash some vanilla extract. Gently stir everything until just combined – don’t go overboard with mixing!

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour your sunshine-colored batter into the prepared pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean as a whistle. Let the cake hang out and cool completely right in the pan.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until they’re smooth as silk. Gradually introduce powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is harmoniously blended.

Step 5: Dress Up Your Cake

Once the cake has cooled down, spread that dreamy frosting all over the top. For an extra tropical touch, sprinkle some shredded coconut and chopped nuts if you’re feeling adventurous.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Slice into this heavenly creation and enjoy every single bite! Stash any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days – if they last that long!

Smart Tips For Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• Enhance Moisture Magic: Add an extra splash of pineapple juice to the batter for a more intense tropical flavor and super moist texture.
• Customize Coconut Crunch: Toast the shredded coconut before sprinkling to bring out a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the cake's overall taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make this cake accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Cream Cheese Perfection: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads like a dream.
• Storage Savvy: Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the frosting from drying out when storing in the refrigerator.

Storing And Reheating Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Made Simple

• Refrigeration: Store your Hawaiian pineapple cake in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Room Temperature: Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance its creamy texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for a delightful treat later.
• Reheating: Gently warm refrigerated slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or let them thaw naturally at room temperature to maintain the cake's delicate moisture and flavor.

What To Serve With Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• Pair with Tropical Cocktails: Complement the Hawaiian pineapple cake's sweet and tangy flavors with a refreshing Mai Tai or Piña Colada, bringing out the cake's tropical essence and creating a delightful island-inspired dessert experience.
• Match with Creamy Coffee: Serve the cake alongside a smooth, creamy latte or cappuccino, which balances the cake's richness and enhances its subtle vanilla and pineapple notes with a warm, comforting touch.
• Enhance with Coconut Ice Cream: Top the cake with a scoop of coconut ice cream, echoing the cake's coconut garnish and creating a harmonious blend of textures and tropical flavors that elevate the dessert's overall enjoyment.
• Accent with Herbal Tea: Enjoy a light, aromatic chamomile or green tea alongside the cake, providing a delicate counterpoint to the cake's sweetness and cleansing the palate between bites.

Try These Fun Twists On Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• Tropical Splash Cake: Replace half the crushed pineapple with mango puree for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile that brings more tropical sweetness to the cake.
• Nutty Island Delight: Mix chopped macadamia nuts directly into the batter and add a layer of roasted coconut flakes on top of the cream cheese frosting for extra crunch and island-inspired texture.
• Rum-Infused Hawaiian Dream: Brush the cooled cake layers with a light rum glaze before frosting, creating a subtle boozy undertone that enhances the pineapple's natural sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Aloha Edition: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this Hawaiian-inspired dessert without compromising on taste and texture.

Common Questions About Hawaiian Pineapple Cake

• What makes this Hawaiian pineapple cake special?

This cake is unique because it uses crushed pineapple directly in the batter, which adds moisture and tropical flavor to the dessert. The combination of pineapple, cream cheese frosting, and optional coconut creates a delightful Hawaiian-inspired treat.

• Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

While canned crushed pineapple works best for this recipe, you can use fresh pineapple. Just make sure to crush it finely and drain excess liquid to maintain the right cake consistency.

• Is this cake suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The recipe contains eggs, wheat flour, and dairy, so it’s not ideal for vegans or those with gluten or dairy allergies. However, you can explore alternative ingredient substitutions with a professional baker’s guidance.

• Why do I need to cool the cake completely before frosting?

Cooling the cake prevents the cream cheese frosting from melting and ensures a smooth, even application. Warm cake can cause the frosting to become runny and slide off, ruining the cake’s appearance and texture.

Hawaiian Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Tropical paradise meets sweet indulgence with Hawaiian Pineapple Cake, a delightful dessert that whisks palates to island shores. Moist layers infused with fresh pineapple and topped with silky coconut cream promise pure culinary bliss you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 g / 14.1 ounces) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (20 oz / 565 g) can crushed pineapple with juice (do not drain)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz / 225 g) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 g / 8.5 ounces) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish Ingredients (Optional):

• ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 ounces) shredded coconut
• ¼ cup (30 g / 1 ounce) chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and generously coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until uniformly blended. Introduce eggs, crushed pineapple with its natural juices, and aromatic vanilla extract, stirring gently until ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
3. Transfer the luscious batter into the prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, monitoring for a golden surface and checking doneness with a slender toothpick that emerges clean when inserted near the center.
4. Allow the cake to settle and cool completely within the baking pan, creating a relaxed environment for the dessert to rest and stabilize its structure.
5. Meanwhile, craft the creamy frosting by vigorously blending cream cheese and butter until achieving a silky, smooth consistency. Gradually introduce powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a luxurious, spreadable topping.
6. Once the cake has reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface, creating an even, delectable layer.
7. Optional: Embellish the frosted cake with delicate shredded coconut and a sprinkle of chopped nuts, adding texture and visual appeal to the tropical-inspired dessert.
8. Slice the cake into generous portions and serve immediately. Store any remaining pieces in a sealed container within the refrigerator, where they will maintain freshness for up to five days.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking of the cake.
• Drain the crushed pineapple slightly to prevent excess moisture, which could make the cake too wet.
• For a lighter frosting, fold in whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture for extra airiness.
• Experiment with alternative toppings like toasted macadamia nuts or adding a splash of rum for a more tropical twist.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg