This beautiful pineapple cake begins with a doctored white cake mix layered with cream cheese and crushed pineapple filling and topped with a smooth coconut pineapple-infused frosting.
Why this recipe works
Now, we’ve all heard of pineapple upside down cake. But have you ever tried a regular pineapple cake? Sweet, fluffy, and delectable are a few words to describe it. We’re doctoring up a simple white cake mix to make this impressive dessert.
Pineapple and coconut meld together like two peas in a pod and these two tropical flavors are always a hit when paired together in a dessert. This combo screams spring and summer of course, but pineapple cake is really popular during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter as well. It’s truly a year-round cake that complements every dessert table it meets.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CAKE – You’re going to need a white cake mix for this recipe, in which we will be adding instant vanilla pudding as well as pineapple juice to really ramp up the flavor profile. Be sure to grab instant vanilla pudding – you will just need the dry pudding mix and not the ingredients listed on the back of the box. All the ingredients you need for the cake portion are listed below in the recipe card. You can certainly use an instant pineapple pudding mix or even the cheesecake flavor in place of vanilla if you’d like.
How to Make Pineapple Cake
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Grease two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.)
- With an electric mixer, mix together cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and pineapple juice. Start on a low speed until all ingredients are moistened and then turn up to medium. Beat for approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour batter evenly between the two greased pans.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean in the center. Cool 10-15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- To make the filling, beat cream cheese until light and creamy. Add powdered sugar and coconut extract. Once completely combined, set aside in the refrigerator.
- Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into cream cheese mixture.
- Make the icing by creaming the butter with an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar, coconut extract, and reserved pineapple juice until desired consistency is reached.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, cut them in half horizontally. Place one bottom cake on a plate or cake stand.
- Add filling and spread evenly. Sprinkle crushed pineapple on top of filling.
- Add another layer of cake and do the same. Repeat with the third layer and top with a cake top. Place in fridge for approximately 30 minutes to set slightly.
- Add icing to the cake and spread evenly over the entire top and sides. Sprinkle coconut on top. Garnish with additional coconut or pineapple slices or chunks if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, you can freeze this pineapple cake. Allow your cake to fully cool off, I’d recommend flash-freezing it for an hour or two. After flash freezing, take it out of the freezer and wrap it in plastic wrap, followed by a wrapping of tinfoil then place it back n the freezer. When you are ready to thaw the cake, immediately after taking it out of the freezer, unwrap it. This will keep the plastic wrap from sticking to the frosting. Your cake should last around 3-4 months kept in the freezer.
You can store your cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Yes, you can make pineapple cake a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
Pineapple cake is amazing year-round. Serve it alongside your holiday dessert spread for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Enjoy the fruity tropical flavors during the warmer months or whip it up as a birthday cake for the pineapple lover in your life. Optionally dress the cake up with a fun design made with coconut shavings and pineapple chunks or serve as is!
More Pineapple Recipes
- Pineapple Dream Dessert
- Easy Pineapple Salsa
- Pineapple Yogurt Dessert
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Pineapple Spinach Smoothie Bowl
- Pineapple Quick Bread
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake in Cast Iron Skillet
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Pineapple Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
Cake
- 16.25 oz white cake mix we used Betty Crocker, 1 box
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pineapple juice reserved from can of crushed pineapple
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 16 oz crushed pineapple 2 8 oz cans. Separate crushed pineapple and juice and set aside in separate bowls.
Icing
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 6 tsp pineapple juice reserved from can of crushed pineapple
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut or flaked
Garnish
- 8 oz crushed pineapple 1 can. *You will need the extra juice from this can for the icing* The extra pineapple chunks can be used for garnish
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- *As you will notice, I stated in the garnish section of the recipe card 1 additional can of crushed pineapple. You will most likely need this extra can for the pineapple juice to make your icing with* The leftover pineapple chunks can be used to decorate the top of the cake.
Instructions
- Grease two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.)
- With an electric mixer, mix together cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and pineapple juice. Start on a low speed until all ingredients are moistened and then turn up to medium. Beat for approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour batter evenly between the two greased pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean in the center. Cool 10-15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- To make filling beat cream cheese until light and creamy. Add powdered sugar and coconut extract. Once completely combined, set aside in refrigerator. Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into cream cheese mixture.
- Make icing by creaming butter with an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar, coconut extract, and reserved pineapple juice until desired consistency is reached. You will most likely need the extra can of crushed pineapple called for in the garnish section of the recipe card to get the right amount of pineapple juice.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, cut them in half horizontally. Place one bottom cake on a plate or cake stand. Add filling and spread evenly. Sprinkle crushed pineapple on top of filling. Add another layer of cake and do the same. Repeat with the third layer and top with a cake top. Place In fridge approximately 30 minutes to set slightly.
- Add icing to cake and spread evenly over entire top and sides. Sprinkle coconut on top. Garnish with additional coconut or pineapple slices or chunks if desired.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Teri says
Pineapple cake is my daughter’s favorite and so for her 21st birthday, she didn’t want a store bought cake and wanted me to make her one. I chose this recipe and I must say this was the best cake ever. She loved it and my husband and son raved about it all night. Needless to say this will be a regular in our home.
Tati says
Want to make this cake for my son’s 6th birthday, he ordered pinapple cale with coconut, so glad I’ve found this recipy!
Quick question – can I replace olive oil for coconut oil? If no, what type of olive oil do I need – regular/ extra virgin/virgin? Some of them have bitter taste, I’m worrying
Amanda Formaro says
Yes! Filippo Berio makes an EVOO called “extra light tasting” that is great for baking. You can see it here https://amzn.to/3saOrwz
Tetiana says
Thank you very much :)
SpshlK says
New family favorite dessert
Chris says
Can I used angel food cake mix?
Amanda Formaro says
We have not tested this recipe with angel food cake mix. If you decide to experiment, we would love to hear your results!
Christine M Davis says
Can you use cool whip instead of heavy cream
Amanda Formaro says
Yes you can
Janae says
Can I double the recipe in 2 9×13 pans and slice the same way?
Amanda Formaro says
We have not tested that method. However, should you decide to try it, we would love to hear your results!
Marissa says
Made this for my husband’s birthday, and everyone said it’s the best cake ever. Now it’s my hubby’s favorite cake, thank you so much!