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Pineapple Heaven Cake Recipe

4.7 from 86 reviews

Pineapple Heaven Cake is a moist and delightful dessert featuring a yellow cake base infused with crushed pineapple. Topped with a luscious pineapple glaze, creamy cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans, this cake delivers tropical flavors and a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Ideal for gatherings or a special treat, it is baked to golden perfection and served chilled for a refreshing finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (with juice)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pineapple Layer

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ of the crushed pineapple (from the can above)

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping

Toppings

  • ½ cup shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  2. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check the cake by inserting a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is fully baked. Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding.
  3. Make the Pineapple Layer: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the granulated sugar until dissolved. Add half of the crushed pineapple and simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes to create a sweet pineapple glaze. Remove from heat and let it cool before spreading over the cooled cake.
  4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  5. Assemble the Cake: Spread the cooled pineapple glaze evenly over the cooled cake as the first topping layer. Then, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top of the pineapple layer. Finish by sprinkling shredded coconut and chopped pecans over the frosting for added texture and flavor.
  6. Chill & Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set. Serve chilled and enjoy the tropical sweetness of Pineapple Heaven Cake.

Notes

  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before adding the pineapple glaze and frosting to prevent melting.
  • For an extra moist cake, use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned if preferred.
  • The refrigeration step helps the frosting firm up and flavor to develop, so don’t skip chilling before serving.
  • You can toast the shredded coconut lightly for a nuttier flavor if desired.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for best quality.

Keywords: Pineapple cake, tropical dessert, cream cheese frosting, yellow cake mix, pineapple glaze, coconut pecan topping