Description
What Makes Hawaiian Pineapple Cake So Special?
Looking at the image, you can see exactly why this tropical cake is so captivating. A generous square of layered cake reveals distinct sections: a rich, golden-brown crumb topping on top, a creamy white vanilla layer in the middle, and another golden base layer, all finished with a generous drizzle of pale, smooth cream cheese frosting. Small chunks of pineapple peek through the layers, and the whole thing practically glows with buttery richness.
The Hawaiian Pineapple Cake shown in the photo demonstrates the perfect balance of textures—the dense, moist cake contrasts beautifully with the crumbly topping, while the cream cheese drizz
le ties everything together with its rich, tangy sweetness.
Ingredients
Gathering Your Tropical Ingredients
From the recipe card visible in the image, here’s what you’ll need for this easy pineapple cake:
Cake Layers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (or “x cups”) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda (or “baking toda”)
- Crushed pineapple with juice
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
Crunch Topping:
- Graham cracker crumbs or additional cake crumbs
- Brown sugar
- Melted butter
- Chopped nuts (optional, often macadamia for authentic Hawaiian flavor)
Cream Cheese Drizzle:
- Cream cheese, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or cream to thin
The crushed pineapple is the star ingredient in this Hawaiian cake recipe, providing moisture, flavor, and that authentic tropical taste. Don’t drain the pineapple juice—it’s essential for the cake’s incredible texture!
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions for Paradise Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. For this pineapple cake, you want good pan preparation because the cake is so moist it can stick if not properly greased.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking soda. Make sure everything is well combined and there are no lumps in the baking soda. This is the foundation of your Hawaiian Pineapple Cake, so take your time with this step.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add your crushed pineapple with all its juice, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—the batter will be quite thin and lumpy with pineapple pieces, which is exactly what you want! Overmixing can make the cake tough, so stop as soon as you don’t see any more dry flour.
Step 4: Bake the Base Layer
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake will be golden and should spring back when lightly touched.
Step 5: Prepare the Crunch Topping
While your cake is baking, mix together your crumb topping ingredients. Combine graham cracker crumbs (or additional flour with a bit of oats for texture), brown sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. If using nuts, fold them in now.
Step 6: Add the Layers
Once your base cake is baked, let it cool slightly. You can add additional layers by spreading a cream cheese mixture over the cooled cake, then sprinkling with the crumb topping and toasting under the broiler for a few minutes until golden. This creates those beautiful distinct layers you see in the photo.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Drizzle
Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, a bit of butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach a drizzle-able consistency. The drizzle should flow smoothly off a spoon but not be so thin it disappears into the cake.
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Once your cake is completely cool, drizzle the cream cheese frosting generously over the top in artistic patterns. Let it set for about 30 minutes before slicing. Top with fresh pineapple pieces and a sprinkle of toasted coconut if desired for extra tropical flair.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 385
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 58g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 42g
- Protein: 5g
Expert Tips for the Perfect Pineapple Cake
Don’t Drain That Pineapple!
The juice from canned crushed pineapple is liquid gold for this pineapple cake recipe. It provides moisture and flavor that can’t be replicated. If your pineapple seems dry, you can even add a splash of pineapple juice.
Room Temperature Ingredients
For the smoothest cream cheese drizzle, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. Cold ingredients will create a lumpy, difficult-to-drizzle topping.
Toast Your Topping
If you want extra crunch in your Hawaiian cake, spread your crumb topping on a baking sheet and toast it separately before adding to the cake. This ensures maximum crunchiness.
Let It Rest
This cake actually improves after sitting for a few hours or even overnight! The flavors meld together and the texture becomes even more moist and delicious.