Here’s a delicious Hawaiian Pineapple Cake recipe that’s moist, tropical, and full of sweet pineapple flavor. It’s a fun twist on a classic cake, with a light and airy texture and a hint of coconut and vanilla. Perfect for a summer dessert or any occasion when you want to bring a taste of the tropics to the table!
Hawaiian Pineapple Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (preferably one with pudding in the mix for extra moisture)
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional, but adds great flavor)
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp pineapple juice (from the can of crushed pineapple)
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 9×13-inch baking pan if you prefer a sheet cake).
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, crushed pineapple with juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Beat together with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth.
- If you’re using shredded coconut, fold it into the batter at this point.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans or baking dish.
3. Bake the Cake:
- Bake for 30-35 minutes for round cake pans or 35-40 minutes for a 9×13-inch pan, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and pineapple juice, adding a little more pineapple juice if you want the frosting to be a bit thinner.
- Continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
5. Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled completely, frost the top and sides of the cake with the cream cheese frosting.
- Garnish with extra shredded coconut on top for a tropical touch.
6. Serve:
- Slice and serve this delicious, moist cake. It’s a perfect balance of sweet pineapple and creamy frosting with a hint of coconut!
Tips & Variations:
- For extra texture: You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake batter if you like a bit of crunch.
- For a more tropical flavor: Use coconut milk in place of some of the oil for a more intense coconut flavor.
- To make it extra festive: You can also top the cake with maraschino cherries or slices of fresh pineapple for decoration.
- Sheet Cake: If you prefer a sheet cake, just use a 9×13-inch pan and spread the frosting on top once the cake is cool.
This Hawaiian Pineapple Cake is perfect for bringing a little tropical sunshine to your dessert table. The combination of pineapple, coconut, and cream cheese frosting makes for an incredibly tasty and refreshing treat!