Tropical Paradise: Sunny Pineapple Cake Recipe for Sweet Joy

Sweet summer memories dance through my grandmother’s treasured pineapple cake recipe, a delightful tropical treat that whispers nostalgic stories.

Memories of her kitchen flood back with each slice of golden goodness.

Soft, moist layers promise a delectable journey into comfort and joy.

Sunshine-kissed fruit mingles with tender crumb, creating a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Delicate notes of caramelized pineapple weave magic into every single bite.

Home bakers will adore how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Prepare to experience a slice of pure happiness that connects generations through deliciousness.

Pineapple Cake Worth Baking Again And Again

• Effortless Baking Delight: Requires minimal skill and basic kitchen tools, making it perfect for novice bakers wanting to impress without stress.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Total time from start to finish is under an hour, with simple mixing and baking steps that streamline the cooking process.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: Combines tropical pineapple sweetness with rich pistachio undertones, creating a unique dessert that surprises and delights guests at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual celebrations.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, allowing busy hosts to plan ahead and reduce day-of cooking pressure while ensuring a delicious dessert is ready to serve.

Core Mix in Pineapple Cake

• Cake Mix: The foundation of the cake, provides structure and basic flavor.
• Pistachio Pudding Mix: Adds moisture, richness, and distinct pistachio flavor.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure.
• Oil: Ensures cake's moisture and tenderness.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds natural sweetness and keeps cake moist, choose well-drained pineapple.

• Pistachio Pudding Mix, Milk: Creates creamy base for frosting, smooth consistency key.
• Cool Whip: Lightens frosting and adds airy texture.

• Pistachios: Provides crunch and additional nutty flavor, can use roasted or raw nuts.

Pineapple Cake Baking Method

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Warm your oven to a toasty 350°F to create the perfect baking environment for your delightful dessert.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Vessel

Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 3: Create the Magical Batter

• Cake mix
• Pistachio pudding mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Crushed pineapple with its juicy goodness

Whip everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and free of lumps.

Step 4: Pour and Spread

Transfer the batter into your greased baking dish, ensuring an even distribution for consistent baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes.

Pro tip: The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 6: Cool Down Completely

Allow the cake to cool entirely before moving to the frosting stage.

Patience is key!

Step 7: Whip Up the Creamy Frosting

Grab your pistachio pudding mix and milk, then whisk them together until the mixture thickens and becomes luxurious.

Step 8: Fold in the Fluffy Topping

Gently incorporate Cool Whip into the pudding mixture, creating a smooth and dreamy frosting.

Step 9: Frost with Finesse

Spread the creamy frosting evenly across the cooled cake, making sure to cover every delicious inch.

Step 10: Chill and Set

Pop the cake into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing the frosting to set and flavors to mingle.

Step 11: Final Flourish

Before serving, sprinkle a generous handful of chopped pistachios on top for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.

Pineapple Cake Tips For Bold Flavor

• Blend ingredients thoroughly to create a uniform batter, avoiding lumps for a smooth, consistent cake texture.
• Drain pineapple slightly to prevent excess liquid from making the cake too dense or soggy.
• Check cake doneness early, using the toothpick test around 30 minutes to avoid overcooking and drying out the dessert.
• Allow complete cooling and refrigeration to help frosting set and develop deeper, more integrated taste profiles.
• Experiment with toasted or raw pistachios, chopped finely or roughly, to add varying levels of crunch and visual appeal.

Pineapple Cake That Doesn’t Dry Out Overnight

• Store leftover pineapple cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring the cake stays moist and fresh.
• Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power, or let the cake sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and texture.
• For longer storage, freeze the cake (without garnish) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Fruity Add-Ons For Pineapple Cake

• Elevate Pineapple Cake Flavor Combinations
• Pair Chilled Tropical Cocktail: Serve a refreshing piña colada alongside the cake, matching the pineapple notes and creating a complementary tropical experience.
• Brew Perfect Coffee Companion: Select a medium roast Colombian coffee with nutty undertones that will beautifully enhance the pistachio and pineapple flavors in the dessert.
• Create Creamy Sidekick: Accompany the cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold creaminess to balance the cake's sweet and tangy profile.
• Recommend Dessert Wine Match: Choose a sweet Moscato d'Asti, whose light effervescence and honey-like sweetness will harmonize wonderfully with the cake's rich texture.

Pineapple Cake Custom Icing

• Gluten-Free Pineapple Cake: Replace regular cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Tropical Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and replace Cool Whip with coconut whipped cream.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free cake mix, sugar-free pudding mix, and swap Cool Whip with a low-sugar whipped topping alternative.
• Nut-Free Version: Omit pistachios for garnish or replace with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.

FAQs

• What ingredients give this pineapple cake its unique flavor?

The cake gets its distinctive taste from the combination of pistachio pudding mix and crushed pineapple, which adds moisture and a tropical sweetness to the dessert.

• Can I use a different type of pudding mix?

While pistachio pudding mix is recommended, you can experiment with vanilla or coconut pudding mix for a slightly different flavor profile, though the taste will vary from the original recipe.

• Is this cake suitable for people who don't like very sweet desserts?

Yes, the pineapple adds natural sweetness and helps balance the overall sugar content, making it less overwhelmingly sweet compared to traditional cakes.

• Do I need any special baking skills to make this cake?

No, this recipe is beginner-friendly. It uses a cake mix as a base and requires simple mixing and baking techniques that even novice bakers can easily follow.

Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Hawaiian pineapple cake brings tropical paradise onto your dessert plate. Moist layers infused with island flavors offer a delightful escape that refreshes and delights you with each heavenly bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 1 box angel food cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 box (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) pistachio pudding mix

Fruit Ingredient:

• 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) crushed pineapple with juices

Topping and Garnish:

• 1 box (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) pistachio pudding mix
• 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 tub (8 ounces / 227 grams) Cool Whip, thawed
• Chopped pistachios (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to create an optimal baking environment at 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the baking vessel by generously coating a 9×13-inch dish with a light layer of grease.
3. Combine cake mix, pistachio pudding mix, eggs, oil, and crushed pineapple in a spacious mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly until a uniform, silky texture emerges.
4. Transfer the velvety mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution.
5. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and without wet batter.
6. Allow the cake to cool completely, creating a perfect foundation for the luscious topping.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk pistachio pudding mix with milk, stirring consistently until the mixture thickens and develops a smooth consistency.
8. Gently incorporate Cool Whip into the pudding mixture, folding carefully to maintain a light, creamy texture.
9. Once the cake has cooled, spread the prepared frosting evenly across the surface, creating a uniform layer.
10. Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the frosting to set and flavors to meld.
11. Just before serving, sprinkle a generous handful of chopped pistachios over the top for a delightful crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Select a high-quality cake mix for the best texture and flavor in your pineapple cake.
• Drain pineapple slightly to prevent excess moisture from making the cake too wet, ensuring a perfect consistency.
• Swap vegetable oil with Greek yogurt or applesauce for a healthier, lower-fat version of the cake.
• Toast pistachios before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake’s topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 193
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg