Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake is a tropical, moist, and delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of pineapple with the richness of a soft cake. The result is a light, spongy cake that’s packed with juicy pineapple chunks and a rich, sweet glaze that makes it feel like a little slice of paradise. Here’s a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe!
Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (you can use a homemade vanilla cake recipe if preferred)
- 1 (15 oz) can of crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional, for added texture and flavor)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can of crushed pineapple)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
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Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or use cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, crushed pineapple (with juice), vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything until well combined—no need for an electric mixer; just use a spoon or whisk.
- If you’re using coconut and nuts, stir those in now.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
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Bake the Cake:
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top.
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Make the Glaze:
- While the cake is baking, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sugar and pineapple juice and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The glaze should thicken slightly.
- Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven but leave it in the baking dish.
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Add the Glaze:
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the hot glaze over the cake while it’s still warm. Use a spoon to gently spread the glaze over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This will help the glaze soak in and make the cake even more moist.
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Serve:
- Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. The cake will be incredibly moist and juicy from the pineapple and glaze.
- You can garnish with a sprinkle of shredded coconut or a few extra chopped nuts if desired.
Tips:
- Make-Ahead: This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to develop, and the cake stays moist!
- Tropical Twist: For extra tropical flavor, add some chopped mango or a handful of diced fresh pineapple to the cake batter before baking.
- Cake Variation: If you prefer a lighter texture, you could replace the oil with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce for a slightly less rich, but still moist, result.
This Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake is sure to become a favorite for any pineapple lover! It’s so easy to make and full of tropical flavor with that irresistible moist texture.
Would you like to try variations with other fruits or toppings? Let me know if you want to tweak it a bit!