Best Pineapple Cake: Tropical Moist Layer Cake Perfection

The most authentic and indulgently delicious Best Pineapple Cake you'll ever make - incredibly moist and satisfying with layers of perfectly spiced pineapple cake filled with crushed pineapple, topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting, toasted coconut, and candied pineapple pieces, creating the ultimate tropical dessert experience that's so delicious it'll have everyone asking for seconds with every perfectly sweet bite that tastes like pure island paradise at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Best Pineapple Cake: Tropical Moist Layer Cake Perfection - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Expert Tips for Perfect Best Pineapple Cake

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Cake Batter Creation:
Master the technique of properly creaming butter and sugar, then incorporating wet and dry ingredients for optimal cake texture and flavor.
Pineapple Integration Excellence:
Achieve ideal balance of pineapple flavor and moisture while maintaining proper cake structure throughout baking process.
Frosting Mastery:
Learn technique for creating smooth, pipeable cream cheese frosting with perfect consistency that complements tropical flavors beautifully.
Layer Assembly Perfection:
Master the art of building stable cake layers with filling and frosting while maintaining professional appearance and flavor distribution.
Decoration and Presentation:
Learn proper garnishing techniques with coconut and candied fruit that create stunning visual impact while enhancing tropical theme.
Best Pineapple Cake: Tropical Moist Layer Cake Perfection - secondary view

The Art of Perfect Best Pineapple Cake

Perfect Cake Batter Creation
Master the technique of properly creaming butter and sugar, then incorporating wet and dry ingredients for optimal cake texture and flavor.
Pineapple Integration Excellence
Achieve ideal balance of pineapple flavor and moisture while maintaining proper cake structure throughout baking process.
Frosting Mastery
Learn technique for creating smooth, pipeable cream cheese frosting with perfect consistency that complements tropical flavors beautifully.
Layer Assembly Perfection
Master the art of building stable cake layers with filling and frosting while maintaining professional appearance and flavor distribution.
Decoration and Presentation
Learn proper garnishing techniques with coconut and candied fruit that create stunning visual impact while enhancing tropical theme.
Expert Tips for Perfect Best Pineapple Cake
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth mixing and optimal cake texture throughout.
Pineapple Drainage: Drain crushed pineapple well but reserve juice for recipe - excess moisture can make cake soggy and dense.
Cake Testing: Test doneness with toothpick in center and edges should pull slightly away from pan sides for perfect baking.
Frosting Consistency: Beat frosting until light and fluffy but don't overbeat or it may become too soft for proper spreading.
Assembly Timing: Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, professional appearance.
Storage Method: Store finished cake covered in refrigerator up to 4 days, bringing to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Best Pineapple Cake: Tropical Moist Layer Cake Perfection - tertiary view

Best Pineapple Cake: Tropical Moist Layer Cake Perfection

The most authentic and indulgently delicious Best Pineapple Cake you'll ever make - incredibly moist and satisfying with layers of perfectly spiced pineapple cake filled with crushed pineapple, topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting, toasted coconut, and candied pineapple pieces, creating the ultimate tropical dessert experience that's so delicious it'll have everyone asking for seconds with every perfectly sweet bite that tastes like pure island paradise at home.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For Cake:
02
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
03
2 cups granulated sugar
04
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05
4 large eggs, room temperature
06
1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
07
1/2 cup pineapple juice
08
1/2 cup sour cream
09
2 teaspoons baking powder
10
1 teaspoon baking soda
11
1 teaspoon salt
12
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
14
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
15
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
16
For Pineapple Filling:
17
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
18
1/2 cup granulated sugar
19
2 tablespoons cornstarch
20
1 tablespoon lemon juice
21
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
22
Pinch of salt
23
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
24
8 oz cream cheese, softened
25
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
26
4 cups powdered sugar
27
1/4 cup heavy cream
28
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
29
1/4 teaspoon salt
30
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
31
For Assembly & Decoration:
32
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
33
1/2 cup candied pineapple pieces
34
Fresh pineapple slices for garnish
35
Maraschino cherries
36
For Simple Syrup:
37
1/2 cup water
38
1/4 cup granulated sugar
39
1/4 cup pineapple juice
40
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
41
For Serving Sides:
42
Vanilla ice cream
43
Whipped cream
44
Fresh berries
45
Tropical fruit salad
46
For Garnish & Extras:
47
Additional toasted coconut
48
Fresh mint leaves
49
Edible flowers
50
Gold leaf for special occasions
51
Extra pineapple chunks
52
Lime zest
53
Candied ginger pieces
54
Macadamia nuts, chopped
55
Passion fruit pulp

Instructions

01
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and flour for easy release.
02
In large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes with electric mixer on medium speed.
03
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts thoroughly.
04
In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
05
Alternate adding dry ingredients and wet ingredients (crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, sour cream) to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
06
Mix just until combined - do not overmix to ensure tender cake texture throughout each layer of finished cake.
07
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops, then bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08
Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting and assembly.
09
For pineapple filling, combine drained pineapple, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt in small saucepan over medium heat.
10
Cook filling mixture, stirring constantly, 3-4 minutes until thickened and glossy, then remove from heat and cool completely.
11
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar, beating until combined.
12
Add heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and pineapple juice to frosting, beating until light and fluffy with perfect spreading consistency.
13
Prepare simple syrup by combining water, sugar, and pineapple juice in small saucepan, boiling until sugar dissolves, then cool.
14
To assemble, place one cake layer on serving plate and brush with half the simple syrup for added moisture.
15
Spread half the frosting over first layer, then add pineapple filling, spreading evenly to edges for complete coverage.
16
Top with second cake layer, brush with remaining syrup, then frost top and sides with remaining cream cheese frosting.
17
Press toasted coconut around sides and top of cake, then garnish with candied pineapple pieces and fresh fruit as desired.
18
Refrigerate cake 2 hours before serving to set frosting, then slice and serve with ice cream for ultimate tropical experience!