The Ultimate Southern Pineapple Cake Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Southern charm meets sweet decadence in this irresistible pineapple cake that whispers memories of lazy summer afternoons.

Grandmothers across alabama perfected this delightful dessert generations ago.

Soft, moist layers capture tropical sunshine in every delectable bite.

Ripe fruit nestles between tender crumbs, creating a magical blend of textures.

Cream cheese frosting adds luxurious richness that makes you close your eyes with pure pleasure.

Pecans scattered across the top provide a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with smooth, velvety cake.

You’ll fall in love with this classic southern treat that feels like a warm, sweet embrace.

Bake this cake and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Why Southern Pineapple Cake Wins Hearts

• Create Delightful Layers: Enjoy a stunning dessert with beautifully crafted alternating cake and pineapple filling layers that surprise and impress guests.
• Embrace Southern Comfort: Savor a classic Southern-style cake that brings warmth and nostalgia with its rich, traditional flavor profile and creamy texture.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting nuts, adding spices, or experimenting with different glazes to make it uniquely yours.
• Simple Baking Adventure: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers straightforward steps that guarantee a delicious outcome without complicated techniques.

What Goes Into Southern Pineapple Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and volume to the cake.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake, creating a tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in creating a light texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cake batter.

• Crushed Pineapple: Creates a juicy and flavorful filling for the cake.
• Pineapple Juice: Adds extra moisture and intense pineapple flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the pineapple mixture.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth, spreadable glaze.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy richness and creamy texture to the topping.
• Milk: Helps to thin and smooth out the glaze.

• Pecans, Ground Cinnamon: Add a crunchy texture and warm, spicy flavor to the finished cake.

How To Bake Southern Pineapple Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until perfectly blended and free of any pesky lumps.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, whip butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and cloud-like.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Gently incorporate eggs one by one into the butter-sugar mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, velvety batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to keep the cake batter silky and consistent.

Step 6: Create Pineapple Filling

• Crushed pineapple
• Pineapple juice
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

Step 7: Simmer Pineapple Mixture

Cook the pineapple mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until it transforms into a thick, syrupy delight.

Step 8: Layer First Cake Batter

Pour half the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

Step 9: Add Pineapple Filling

Carefully spread the warm pineapple filling across the first layer of cake batter.

Step 10: Top with Remaining Batter

Gently pour the remaining cake batter over the pineapple filling, using a spatula to create a smooth, even surface.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few crumbs.

Step 12: Cool Completely

Let the cake rest in the pan for about 1 hour, allowing it to cool to room temperature.

Step 13: Prepare Creamy Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Cream cheese
• Milk

Until smooth and drizzle-ready.

Step 14: Finish and Garnish

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, then sprinkle with chopped pecans and a dusting of ground cinnamon.

Step 15: Set and Serve

Allow the glaze to set for 15-20 minutes before cutting into this Southern treasure and serving up pure happiness.

Tips For Perfect Southern Pineapple Cake

• Choose Fresh Pineapple: Select ripe, golden pineapples for the most vibrant and sweet filling, enhancing the cake's natural flavor profile.
• Prevent Cake Sinking: Mix dry ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to maintain a light, airy texture and prevent dense cake layers.
• Control Moisture Level: Pat crushed pineapple with paper towels to remove excess liquid, ensuring the cake doesn't become soggy during baking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast pecans briefly before sprinkling to release their nutty oils and create a more complex, rich taste experience.
• Balance Glaze Consistency: Add milk gradually when preparing cream cheese glaze to achieve the perfect drizzling thickness without becoming too runny.

Tasty Twists On Southern Pineapple Cake

• Gluten-Free Hawaiian Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's soft texture and rich flavor.
• Tropical Coconut Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil and add shredded coconut to the batter, creating a more intense tropical profile with enhanced nutty undertones.
• Vegan Pineapple Paradise: Use plant-based butter substitute, flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, and dairy-free cream cheese for the glaze, transforming the traditional recipe into a completely plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener and reduce overall sugar content, making a lighter dessert suitable for diabetic-friendly diets while preserving the cake's signature moisture.

What Pairs Well With Southern Pineapple Cake

• Savor Sweet Beverage Companions: Rich coffee or chai tea perfectly complement the cake's tropical sweetness.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Vanilla bean ice cream adds creamy coolness against the warm cake's dense texture.
• Balance Flavor Profiles: Crisp white wine like Riesling cuts through the cake's richness with bright, fruity notes.
• Harmonize Nutty Elements: Cold milk highlights the pecans' crunch and balances the cake's sugary undertones.

How To Store Southern Pineapple Cake Properly

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags for maximum 3 months.
• Keep cake loosely covered with plastic wrap or foil at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or reheat in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until slightly warm and soft.

Southern Pineapple Cake FAQ

• Why use pineapple in this cake?

Pineapple adds natural sweetness, moisture, and a tropical flavor that makes the cake unique and delicious, creating a perfect balance of tangy and sweet elements.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

Substitute brown sugar with white sugar if needed, and use walnuts instead of pecans. Always ensure ingredient proportions remain consistent for best results.

• How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with minimal crumbs and the top is golden brown, the cake is ready to be removed from the oven.

Southern Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern pineapple cake brings sunshine to dessert tables with its moist, tropical charm. Sweet layers packed with crushed pineapple and creamy frosting promise pure Southern comfort that will make you crave another slice.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Pineapple Filling:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple, crushed
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry mixture.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer at medium speed.
4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to create a uniform batter.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a smooth, consistent cake batter.
6. Prepare the pineapple filling by combining crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan.
7. Simmer the pineapple mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and becomes slightly syrupy.
8. Pour half the cake batter into the prepared pan, then carefully spread the warm pineapple filling evenly across the surface.
9. Gently pour the remaining cake batter over the pineapple filling, using a spatula to create an even layer.
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
11. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour at room temperature.
12. Whisk together powdered sugar, cream cheese, and milk to create a smooth, creamy glaze.
13. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, then immediately sprinkle chopped pecans and ground cinnamon on top.
14. Let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving the Southern Pineapple Cake.

Notes

• Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps, ensuring a smooth, silky cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly creates tiny air bubbles, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
• Adding eggs one at a time helps them blend seamlessly, preventing potential curdling and maintaining batter consistency.
• Folding dry ingredients gently prevents overmixing, which can lead to a tough, dense cake that lacks the desired softness.
• Simmer pineapple filling slowly to develop rich, caramelized flavors and achieve the perfect syrupy consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better incorporation and more even baking results.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg