This Pineapple Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting is a pineapple lovers dream come true with flavors of pineapple, coconut, and pecan. This moist delectable single layer cake has an easy cream cheese frosting that has been flavored with pineapple juice and topped with toasted coconut and pecans. It screams summer in every bite and is perfect for graduations, pool parties, patio shindigs and baby showers.
I love this cake so much. It is just that good. This is a must try. I am warning you though. You really should have a plan in place for sharing this because it is almost impossible to just eat one piece. Not a huge coconut fan? No problem at all. Just omit it and the cake is still outstanding. Not a fan of nuts in your cake? No worries. Just omit them or swap them out for walnuts. As I always say don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
How do you make Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
This is a very easy cake to prepare. Grab a big bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the beaten eggs, vegetable oil, crushed pineapple (reserving 3 tablespoons of the juice), vanilla extract and 3/4 cup pecans. Mix just until combined and then pour into a well greased 9×13 baking pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to fully cool for several hours.
Spread sweetened coconut in a thin layer onto a baking sheet. Place in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Gently flip the coconut several times to help it brown more evenly. Completely cool the coconut.
In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, butter and reserved pineapple juice. Using a mixer beat until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time scraping down the sides as you mix it in. Spread over the completely cooled cake. Spread the top with the completely cooled coconut and remaining chopped pecans.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Take enough time to measure your ingredients properly. Spoon your flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and level it off with a table knife.
- Grease your baking dish well. I like to use Baker’s Joy. It is no-stick baking spray with flour. I have been using it for many years and I love it.
- The cake batter is best mixed by hand so as not to over mix it.
- Don’t over bake the cake. Remember the old toothpick test that your grandma showed you. It is a pretty reliable test which is why it has been used for generations and generations.
- Prepare ahead of time and soften the cream cheese and butter. Cream cheese and butter always mix better together when they are softened.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting.
- Store this cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to properly freeze this cake
This particular cake can be prepared ahead of time as it freezes quite well. You can freeze just the cake part or complete the whole cake with the frosting and the toasted coconut and then freeze. The cake should be completely cooled before wrapping and placing in the freezer. Simply wrap all the way around the dish several times with a good heavy plastic wrap.
If the cake is taller than the sides of the baking dish simply flash freeze it first so that the wrap does not have any affect on it. To flash freeze simply place it in the freezer uncovered until it is frozen and then cover with plastic. Since you are freezing this cake in the dish it was cooked in and are not placing in freezer bags (the cake is too large for freezer bags) only do this up to a month in advance. However if you are just freezing a portion of the cake then just flash freeze it, double wrap in freezer bags and store up to 2 months.
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Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A scrumptious moist cake with fresh pineapple flavor from crushed pineapple and pineapple juice baked right in. This delectable treat will quickly become one of your families favorite cake recipe.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: dessert cake
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Pineapple Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple with juice (reserve 3 tablespoons juice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 (8 ounce) box cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3 1/2 –4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the beaten eggs, vegetable oil, crushed pineapple (reserving 3 tablespoons of the juice), vanilla extract and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Mix just until combined and pour into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to fully cool for several hours before icing.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread sweetened coconut in a thin layer on baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned; flipping halfway. Let the coconut cool.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer beat the cream cheese, butter, and reserved pineapple juice until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time; scraping down the sides. Spread over the completely cooled cake. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and remaining pecans.
Notes
- Take enough time to measure your ingredients properly. Spoon your flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and level it off with a table knife.
- Grease your baking dish well. I like to use Baker’s Joy. It is no-stick baking spray with flour. I have been using it for many years and I love it.
- The cake batter is best mixed by hand so as not to over mix it.
- Don’t over bake the cake. Remember the old toothpick test that your grandma showed you. It is a pretty reliable test which is why it has been used for generations and generations.
- Prepare ahead of time and soften the cream cheese and butter. Cream cheese and butter always mix better together when they are softened.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting.
- Store this cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: pineapple cake, cake, pineapple dessert, cream cheese frosting, cake with cream cheese frosting
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Dorothy
Recipe looks wonderful- could you add some rum flavoring to the cake for a pina colada flavor and if so how much? Thank you.
Beth Pierce
Thank you! You could most certainly add 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoons of rum extract. Delicious!
Alice
Simple, but wonderful. the very simple way used to make it.
★★★★★
Cinny
We love pineapples in our house. This was yummy! Thanks for the great recipe! The cake was moist and delicious!
Faith
This cake is superb! The nuts add a crispy texture, as well as the cream cheese icing is delicious! My whole family really enjoyed this recipe. Thank you!
★★★★★
Gladys Nava
This recipe is so new to me! I will definitely try it this coming weekend! Look so tasty
★★★★★
Rosey
What a great pineapple cake. Perfect for a tropical summer feel. I love the cream cheese frosting and so does my family!
Neely Moldovan
Oh that cake is so darn good! Everyone should try it! I love anything pineapple!
Gervin Khan
Wow! This cake was absolutely delicious and very unique. Great concept and I loved it! Plus the cream cheese frosting takes it over the top.
★★★★★
Ivan Carlo Jose
I’m not particularly fond of eating fresh pineapples but I like them in pies and cakes. I love the sweetness and tang of pineapples in pastries so I know that I will love this cake.
★★★★★
Melanie Edjourian
Oh wow, this brings back memories. I used to love this cake. I’m so glad you posted as I’d love to see what my kids think. I bet they’ll love it too x
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
I am sure that they will!
Alita
This cake was an awesome and incredibly moist and great flavor. I’d definitely make it again.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Alita! So glad that you liked it!
jen schreiner
Loving this recipe. I am a huge coconut fan. The more the better. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Bryan
Pineapple, cream cheese frosting, and coconut. I am in love with this recipe already!
Nikki
Love the idea of cream cheese frosting. Smooth and creamy on cake.
Erik
Such fantastic flavor. Big fan of pineapple, so this really hit the spot.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Erik! So glad that you liked it!
Kelly Bolen
This was amazing! So moist and yummy! Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Erin
This is really hard to resist!! I will definitely make it again soon! So perfect!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Erin! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Sandra
This cake is so perfect!! Definitely a must-make!
★★★★★
Amanda
I love this cake! I love the crunch from the nuts and the cream cheese frosting is the best!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amanda! So happy that you like it!!
Beti
WOW! This pineapple cake was so delicious! I just love pineapple and this was perfect with the crushed pineapple and cream cheese frosting.
★★★★★
katerina
I LOVE pineapple cake! This looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Amanda
Oh my goodness this looks amazing! I love anything pineapple flavored!
Nicole
So delicious!! Should I refrigerate or is it ok kept at room temperature?
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thank you. Refrigerate it please because of the cream cheese frosting.
Kim Bondi
Excellent. Great tropical cake. Very moist. Everyone loved it.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kim! So glad that everyone liked it!!
Wanda
This looks absolutely stunning. The toasted coconut on top has me drooling!
★★★★★
veenaazmanov
Super delicious and tasty and combinations yum. Nothing like for this perfect Valentine Day,
★★★★★
Bintu
This sounds like the perfect cake for summer – we love pineapple in our house so might make this with the kids this weekend!
★★★★★
Angela
Oh my goodness! This cake is amazing! All of my favorite flavors, and it stayed super moist. YUM!
★★★★★
April K.
I love anything with pineapple in it. The cake was so most and flavorful.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks April! So glad that you liked it!!
Dannii
I love pineapple cake, and this looks so light and fluffy. I can’t wait to try it.
★★★★★
Jane
Hi Beth, cake recipe sounds so good! Can I bake it as a round cake instead of a sheetcake?
Beth Pierce
Yes I believe that you can. I got the pan out this morning and was doing some remeasurements and looking at the pictures of the cake.
Jeannette
I haven’t made this cake yet, but definitely want to make it. Just wondering with the cans of pineapple do you drain each can except the reserved amount you keep, or do you use all the liquid from the three cans of crushed pineapple for making the cake batter?
Thank you
PS Cann’t wait to make this cake once I hear back from you
Sincerely,
Jeannette
Beth Pierce
Hey Jeanette,
Do not drain however reserve 3 tablespoons for the frosting! Happy baking.
Jeanne Leenders
Hi Beth, can I bake this cake in 2 8 inch round cake pans?
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Yes you can can. Do you have 9 inch round pans?
Carol
My niece made and brought this to a party. It was fabulous! When I make it, will I be able to flip cake onto a cake board and then icing it?? Or , will it be too moist to come out whole? Thank you.
Beth Pierce
I think it will turn out fine even though I have not tried it. It is a moist cake but it should hold together.
Chris
Fabulous! Truly amazing! I was not sure about the coconut but the toasted coconut adds a lot. I have to admit I did use a yellow cake mix but added everything to the mix, including some vanilla. It is such a great combo. I made for hubby’s birthday and may freeze some of it because we are trying to be good, and I could eat the whole thing it is that good. Thank you for the recipe. Glad I saw it on Pinterest!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! I am so glad that you liked it. I always have to freeze some or I will eat the whole thing. Of course I might just eat it frozen too! So yummy!
Jen
I’ve been on a cake baking rampage and I can’t wait to try this pineapple cake. I’ll come back and let you know how it goes. YUM.
★★★★★
Jessie
My daughter and I LOVE pineapple and you had me at the cream cheese frosting! We are going to try this soon!
★★★★★
Tayler Ross
I love anything with pineapple, so I can’t wait to try this delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Yeriel Bertoni
I don’t really like pineapple that much, but this looks awesome. I’ll try it!
Mikayla
The pineapple/coconut/pecan flavor combo is just perfect here, so simple to make and delicious!
★★★★★