This Crushed Pineapple Cake is my grandma’s vintage recipe. It’s an easy one-bowl cake that’s quick and easy to make. The pecans give the cake a nice crunch, and it’s covered in a classic cream cheese frosting.
Table of Contents
Pineapple is a fruit that I love to bake with. Try these Pina Colada Cupcakes and this Pineapple Angel Food Cake for more pineapple treats.
Grandma’s Cake with Crushed Pineapple
I love vintage recipes. This Crushed Pineapple Cake is my grandma’s classic recipe that reminds me of my childhood. I recently talked with my aunt, and I asked her to send me some of my grandma’s recipes that I might not have. In the stack was this gem! (In some of the pictures, you can even spy her handwriting on the recipe card).
This pineapple cake is light and fluffy, with a sweet and creamy frosting. Its pineapple flavor reminds me of Springtime on a plate! Sometimes, people even refer to it as Sunshine Cake. The refreshing, creamy, moist, and fruity cake is perfect for your Easter table or summertime BBQ. Make this Pineapple Cake from scratch with crushed pineapple, pecans, and a few other simple ingredients. It’s made in fifteen minutes of prep time and will be a family favorite for years to come!
Pineapple Cake Recipe Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.78
Recipe Cost: $9.15
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.38
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1 ½ cups sugar – $0.35
- 2 large eggs – $0.20
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.68
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple – $1.28
- ¾ cup chopped pecans – $2.43
- 8 oz package cream cheese – $1.96
- 8 Tablespoons butter – $0.72
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar – $0.05
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.68
- 2 Tablespoons pecans – $0.40
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
How To Make Pineapple Cake
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Next, using a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Then, add in the eggs, vanilla, and crushed pineapple and stir together with a rubber scraper.
- Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Pour the mixture evenly into a baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Set the cake on a wire rack to cool completely for about 45 minutes.
- Next, place the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl and beat on medium-high speed with a handheld mixer, for 1-2 minutes.
- Once it is fluffy, add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Finally, ice the cake with a rubber scraper.
- Garnish with optional toppings before slicing and serving.
***For complete recipe instructions and a recipe video, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts or coconut. Or, you can leave the nuts out altogether.
- You can use low-fat cream cheese in the frosting, but please don’t use fat-free cream cheese.
Crushed Pineapple Cake Storage Tips
SERVE: Slice and serve or chill the cake until you’re ready to serve it.
STORE: Cover and chill the cake for 5-6 days. Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
FREEZE: The frosting of this crushed pineapple cake does not freeze well, so if you’d like to freeze the cake, freeze it without the frosting. To do so, cover the cake with two layers of plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for 6-9 months.
DEFROST: Defrost at room temperature for 3-4 hours before frosting and serving.
More Cakes
- Pistachio Bundt Cake
- Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cake
- Cinnamon Crumb Cake
- Black Forest Cherry Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake Roll Cake
Save The Recipe
Enter your email below & we’ll send a link to this recipe to your inbox & you’ll subscribe for new recipes
Pineapple Cake
Video
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- rubber scraper
- wire rack
- handheld mixer
Ingredients
FOR THE PINEAPPLE CAKE:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple do not drain
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened
- 8 Tablespoons butter or margarine softened
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR GARNISH: (both optional)
- 2 Tablespoons chopped pecans toasted
- Drained pineapple chunks
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
MIX CAKE:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add in eggs, vanilla, and crushed pineapple.
- Use a rubber scraper to stir until combined.
- Fold in chopped pecans.
BAKE AND COOL CAKE:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Move cake to a wire rack to cool completely, about 45 minutes.
MAKE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- Add cream cheese and butter or margarine to a medium bowl. Use a handheld mixer and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until combined and smooth, about 1-2 more minutes.
ICE AND GARNISH CAKE:
- Use a rubber scraper or an offset spatula to ice the cake.
- Garnish with chopped pecans and drained pineapple chunks (both optional).
SERVE:
- Slice and serve or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
did you love this recipe?
Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!
Recipe FAQs
If you cannot get a can of crushed pineapple, you can make it by placing pineapple chunks in a blender or food processor on the pulse setting until the desired consistency is reached.
There could be several reasons why your pineapple cake turned out mushy. Here are a few possible causes to consider:
– Over-Mixing the Batter: Over-mixing the cake batter can develop excess gluten, resulting in a dense and mushy texture. When combining the ingredients, mix just until they are incorporated to avoid over-mixing.
– Under-Baking: If the cake is under-baked, it may remain mushy and not set properly. Make sure to follow the recommended baking time and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is done if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
– Storage and Cooling: Improper storage or cooling can also contribute to a mushy texture. Ensure that the cake is completely cooled before storing it, and store it in a cool, dry place to prevent condensation from making it soggy.
– Recipe Modifications: If you made any modifications to the recipe, such as substituting ingredients or altering the quantities, it could affect the cake’s texture. Stick to the original recipe for the best results.
subscribe for new recipes
Get all the latest recipes in your inbox!
connect with us
Make sure to tag #foodfolksandfun on instagram!
I’ve made this recipe before and its wonderful. Do you know if I could sub pumpkin for the pineapple? Curious to see how it is.
Hi Liz, I’m not sure about subing pumpkin for this recipe as I have not tried this variation. If you try it, let me know if it works out for you!
I love anything pineapple and the cake sound delicious but I do have a question do you think it can be made in a bundt pan?
Hi Karen, I bet this will work out grat in a bundt pan. I, however, haven’t tested it this way. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Such a delight and easy cake to make and enjoy!
What a treasure to have your sweet grandmother’s pineapple cake recipe! I love how you share the recipe cost, too – so helpful, especially right now when costs are higher. Can’t wait to make this for my family. Thanks for another winner from Food Folks and Fun.
You had me at easy one-bowl cake! This looks absolutely fantastic and I love the contrast in flavors and texture.
This pineapple cake is so juicy and full of that iconic pineapple flavour. A perfect addition to a summer day.
This is the perfect cake for spring and summer! It was full of fresh fruit flavor, and that cream cheese frosting gave it a wonderful finishing touch.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I have been looking for a recipe that was similar to what my Grandmother made, and this recipe is it! It is so delicious. It is one that we will make often.