Description
Hawaiian Pineapple Cake blends tropical sweetness with moist, tender crumb. Coconut and rum highlights create a paradise-inspired dessert sure to transport you to island flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (20 oz / 565 g) can crushed pineapple with juice (do not drain)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (400 g / 14.1 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g / 8.5 ounces) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 ounces) shredded coconut
- ¼ cup (30 g / 1 ounce) chopped macadamia nuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent adherence.
- Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine dry ingredients by whisking flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Integrate eggs, crushed pineapple with its juices, and vanilla extract, gently mixing until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
- Baking Process: Pour batter evenly into prepared pan, spreading smoothly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
- Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow cake to cool completely in the pan. Simultaneously, create cream cheese frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract to achieve a luxurious, spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touches: Once cake reaches room temperature, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the entire surface. Optionally, garnish with shredded coconut and chopped nuts for added tropical flair and textural complexity.
- Serving and Storage: Cut into substantial portions and serve immediately. Preserve remaining cake in a sealed container within the refrigerator, maintaining freshness for up to five days.
Notes
- Optimize Oven Temperature: Ensure precise 350F heating for even baking, preventing dry edges or undercooked centers. Use an oven thermometer to verify accurate temperature calibration.
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir cake batter gently until ingredients just combine, avoiding tough texture. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a dense, chewy cake instead of a tender crumb.
- Control Moisture Balance: Drain pineapple slightly to prevent excess liquid, which can make cake soggy. Pat crushed pineapple with paper towels to remove extra juice while retaining fruit’s flavor.
- Enhance Frosting Consistency: Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing, ensuring smooth, lump-free frosting. Sift powdered sugar to eliminate clumps and create silky texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg