The Best Southern Pineapple Cake Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Sweet southern pineapple cake weaves nostalgia into every delectable slice of comfort.

Memories from grandmother’s kitchen drift through this classic dessert.

Soft, moist layers capture the essence of southern hospitality.

Tropical fruit adds unexpected brightness to traditional baking techniques.

Subtle hints of warmth and richness make each bite memorable.

Passionate bakers understand how simple ingredients create magic in the kitchen.

You’ll love how this recipe connects generations through its irresistible flavor profile.

Grab your mixing bowl and let deliciousness unfold.

What Makes Southern Pineapple Cake So Good

• Savor Tropical Comfort: Dive into a delightful Southern-style cake that brings sunshine to your table with its pineapple-packed goodness.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations where everyone craves a slice of sweet happiness.
• Master Baking with Ease: Beginner-friendly recipe that requires simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it accessible for home bakers of all skill levels.
• Customize Your Delight: Flexible recipe allows for creative twists like adding extra nuts, changing frosting styles, or adjusting sweetness to suit personal preferences.

What You’ll Need For Southern Pineapple Cake

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization during baking.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates a tender and moist cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dessert.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft, delicate crumb.

• Crushed Pineapple: Provides natural sweetness and tropical flavor.
• Pineapple Juice: Intensifies the fruity taste and adds moisture.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, rich base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the frosting's flavor.

• Pecans, Shredded Coconut: Provide a delightful crunch and tropical texture to the cake.

Easy Instructions For Southern Pineapple Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda

Ensure the dry ingredients are thoroughly blended.

Step 3: Create Cake Base

• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture transforms into a smooth, silky batter.

Step 4: Incorporate Fruity Goodness

Gently fold in crushed pineapple and its accompanying juice, distributing the fruit evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Add Creamy Moisture

Pour buttermilk into the batter, stirring until just combined to maintain a light and tender cake texture.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Pan

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and create a uniform thickness.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Cool Down

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for about 1 hour.

Step 9: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Create Frosting Texture

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

Step 11: Frost the Cake

Once the cake has cooled entirely, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.

Step 12: Add Crunchy Topping

• Chopped pecans
• Shredded coconut

For an extra layer of texture and visual appeal.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature, savoring the rich, tropical flavors of this Southern-style dessert.

Tips To Nail Southern Pineapple Cake

• Grease Smartly: Use softened butter or non-stick cooking spray to ensure the cake releases easily from the pan without sticking.
• Mix Gently: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy, stirring just until ingredients are combined.
• Check Doneness Precisely: Insert a toothpick into the cake's center; if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Frost with Care: Let the cake cool completely before applying cream cheese frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth coverage.
• Enhance Texture: Toast pecans lightly before sprinkling to boost their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake's surface.

Tasty Variations For Southern Pineapple Cake

• Gluten-Free Pineapple Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version that maintains the cake's moist texture.
• Vegan Tropical Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free cream cheese, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Pineapple Treat: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the cake's sweet flavor profile.
• Nutless Wonder: Omit pecans for those with nut allergies, and replace with toasted coconut flakes or crushed graham crackers for added crunch.

What To Pair With Southern Pineapple Cake

• Pair Sweet Tea: Brew classic Southern sweet tea to complement the cake's tropical pineapple notes, creating a refreshing contrast to the rich cream cheese frosting.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop: Add a cold, creamy vanilla ice cream alongside each slice, which balances the cake's warmth and enhances its sweet, fruity profile.
• Tropical Rum Cocktail: Mix a light rum-based cocktail like a Piña Colada to echo the pineapple flavors and provide a grown-up twist to this Southern dessert.
• Chilled White Wine: Select a crisp Riesling or Moscato, whose slight sweetness and fruity undertones will harmonize beautifully with the cake's tropical essence.

How To Store Southern Pineapple Cake Right

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep frosted cake in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent cream cheese frosting from spoiling.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Defrost individual slices at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Warm refrigerated cake slice in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, place slice in 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and bring out rich flavors.

Southern Pineapple Cake Questions Made Simple

• What makes this pineapple cake different from other desserts?

This cake combines classic Southern baking techniques with tropical pineapple flavor, creating a moist and rich dessert that’s both traditional and unique.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

You can replace buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar, and vegetable oil can be swapped with canola oil or melted butter.

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

Use the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done baking.

Juicy Southern Pineapple Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern hospitality shines through this mouthwatering pineapple cake, blending tropical flavors with classic southern charm. Creamy frosting and juicy pineapple layers promise a delightful dessert that transports you straight to a warm kitchen filled with love and tradition.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruit and Wet Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple, crushed
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

Topping and Garnish:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

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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. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda until uniformly combined.
3. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
4. Fold in the crushed pineapple and pineapple juice, stirring gently to distribute the fruit evenly throughout the mixture.
5. Incorporate buttermilk into the batter, stirring until just combined to maintain a light, tender texture.
6. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 1 hour.
9. For the cream cheese frosting, beat softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
11. Once the cake is fully cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
12. Sprinkle chopped pecans and shredded coconut over the frosted cake for added texture and visual appeal.
13. Slice and serve at room temperature, enjoying the rich, tropical flavors of this Southern-style dessert.

Notes

• Swap out all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, ensuring the cake remains tender and delicious.
• Reduce sugar content by using a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie version that maintains the cake’s signature sweetness.
• Toast pecans before sprinkling to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile, adding depth to the cake’s overall texture.
• Consider adding a splash of rum or coconut extract to the batter for an extra tropical twist that amplifies the pineapple’s natural sweetness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 385
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg