Pineapple Cake is a moist, flavorful cake with crushed pineapple and topped with a pineapple icing. One of my favorite desserts to make in the summer.

I LOVE to bake, even in the summer. It’s like therapy to me and the plus side is something delicious to eat. Occasionally I will take a shortcut and use a cake mix as a base for some of my cakes like this chocolate chip bundt cake and coffee cake (one of my favorite cake mix recipes).
This moist pineapple cake with pineapple glaze is one of those shortcut occasions. I start with a yellow cake mix and add in some extras to the batter to give it additional moisture and flavor.
Ingredients Needed:
Yellow Cake Mix – The base for the cake. You could use white cake but I feel like the yellow adds a nice buttery flavor.
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix – The pudding mix adds moisture.
Sour Cream – Adds more moisture to the cake. You can use full fat or light.
Egg
Crushed Pineapple – You can use fresh or canned pineapple.
Vegetable Oil
Pineapple Juice – For the pineapple icing.
Powdered Sugar – For the pineapple icing.
HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE CAKE
Scroll to the bottom of the post for full printable recipe and ingredient list.
- I recommend using an electric mixture to combine all of the ingredients for this pineapple cake.
- Pour cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, sour cream, and eggs, oil in a large mixing bowl. Let it mix for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in some drained, crushed pineapple. **Be sure to reserve the pineapple juice for the icing.
- Spread the batter in a 9×13 pan and bake for about 30 minutes. You can test if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool. This way the icing won’t melt when you drizzle it on the cake.
- Mix together powdered sugar and pineapple juice and pour onto pineapple cake.
Tips For Delicious Cake
- Make sure that the crushed pineapple is well drained. You don’t want the cake to become soggy.
- Make sure the cake cools so that the pineapple icing will set up.
How To Make Crushed Pineapple
Now, I am all for short cuts so I use canned crushed pineapple. If you happen to have a fresh pineapple on hand, cut of the stem and outer skin of the pineapple. I love this handy and cheap pineapple peeler and corer to make this step easier.
Cut into 1 inch chunks. Place a handful of chunks in blender or food processor and chop. Chop until the pineapple is cut into small pieces. Be sure not to blend too long.
Should Pineapple Cake Be Refrigerated.
I recommend storing in the refrigerator. This cake will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Why this recipe works
- You only need a few simple ingredients for this cake.
- It can easily be made in a brownie pan. No need for layering.
- The pineapple glaze on top adds the perfect hint of pineapple.
Be sure to let me know how you like this pineapple cake. It is great for any occasion, especially a summer BBQ. If you really want to go all out, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
More delicious desserts
- Apricot Nectar Cake – A delicious, moist bunt cake with apricot nectar.
- Better Than Sex Cake – One of my favorite poke cakes. Chocolate cake with caramel and toffee chips.
- Pound Cake Tiramisu – A creamy tiramisu made with marbled pound cake.
- Robert Redford Dessert – A classic chocolate dessert.
***If you make this cake, please be sure to leave comment and star rating below.
Pineapple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained and reserve juice
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs and oil. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Stir in drained, crushed pineapple.
- Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Pour and spread batter in the pan.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool the cake for at least 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and reserved pineapple juice until combined. Drizzle over the cake.
Janice Toms
I made this cake and baked it in a sheet pan. It was good, but seemed a little tough. I went back and looked and noticed above the recipe it mentioned milk that wasn’t included in the actual recipe ingredients. Was there supposed to be milk in it? I made an icing from cream cheese, sugar, whipping cream and reserved pineapple juice.
Kristyn
My hubby would love this!! He is all about the fruity desserts. Looks so light & fluffy & the frosting with the pineapple juice..love!!
Chelsea
This cake is sooo amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Sara Welch
This has me dreaming of spring and summer! Definitely making this for Easter; looks too good to pass up!
Krissy Allori
Oh my goodness, this cake looks amazing.. Perfect for a Summer BBQ. I can’t wait to try it. I love pineapple cake.
Mrs
Hello, just made your apple cake recipe with the butterscotch chips. Is it missing milk or other liquid in the recipe? My batter was a very thick dough.
heather
Yes the dough is pretty thick on these bars.