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Tropical Pineapple Coconut Dream Cake Recipe

Tropical Pineapple Coconut Dream Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Tropical Hawaiian pineapple coconut dream cake blends island flavors in a delightful dessert. Layers of moist coconut cake, tangy pineapple filling, and creamy frosting create a paradise on your plate.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (20 oz / 567 g) crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) coconut milk
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • Eggs (as per box instructions)
  • Oil (as per box instructions)
  • Water (as per box instructions)
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (80 g) shredded sweetened coconut
  • ½ cup (40 g) toasted coconut flakes
  • Pineapple slices or chunks (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with flour, ensuring complete surface coverage.
  2. Batter Creation: Blend yellow cake mix with undrained crushed pineapple, mixing until smooth and consistent, then pour into prepared pan and distribute evenly.
  3. Initial Baking: Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
  4. Flavor Infusion: While cake is warm, puncture surface with a fork, then whisk sweetened condensed milk and coconut milk together and pour over cake, allowing complete absorption.
  5. Coconut Layer: Sprinkle shredded coconut across the surface, creating an even tropical coating.
  6. Cooling Process: Let cake cool completely at room temperature to allow flavors to meld and settle.
  7. Cream Topping: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, then spread evenly across cooled cake.
  8. Final Touches: Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and optional fresh pineapple slices.
  9. Serving Preparation: Refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance flavors and achieve optimal serving temperature, then slice and enjoy the tropical dessert.

Notes

  • Pineapple Substitution Strategy: Use fresh or canned crushed pineapple with no added sugar for optimal moisture and natural sweetness, ensuring the cake remains moist without excessive sweetness.
  • Milk Absorption Technique: Pierce cake holes carefully and evenly to guarantee uniform milk distribution, preventing dry spots and creating consistent, luscious texture throughout the dessert.
  • Coconut Enhancement Tip: Toast coconut flakes beforehand in a dry skillet to develop deeper, nuttier flavor and add sophisticated golden-brown color to the cake’s appearance.
  • Chilling Precision: Refrigerate cake for at least 2-3 hours before serving to allow complete flavor melding and achieve ideal creamy consistency, making the dessert more refreshing and structured.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 430
  • Sugar: 34 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg