Crushed Pineapple Cake Recipe with Cake Mix

5 from 12 votes
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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.

Pineapple cake on plate
Pineapple Cake


 

I love to bake, even in the summer. It’s like therapy to me and the plus side is you end up with something delicious to eat. Occasionally I will take a shortcut and use a cake mix as a base for my favorite cakes like this do nothing cake, chocolate chip bundt cake and coffee cake.

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.

Why this Yellow Pineapple Cake works

Simple – You only need a few ingredients to make this cake.

One layer – You can make this cake in a “brownie pan”, no need for layering.

Flavor – Full of delicious pineapple flavor.

Ingredients

  • 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 – Adds extra moisture.
  • Sour cream – Adds more moisture to the cake. You can use full fat or light sour cream.
  • Egg – One large egg is needed.
  • Crushed pineapple – You can use fresh or canned crushed pineapple.
  • Vegetable oil –
  • Pineapple juice – This is used for the pineapple icing.
  • Powdered sugar – The base of the icing.
Pineapple Cake in a baking dish

How to make Pineapple Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

Scroll to the bottom of the post for full printable recipe and ingredient list. 

  1. I recommend using an electric mixer to combine all of the ingredients for this cake.
  2. Pour cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Let it mix for about 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in some drained, crushed pineapple. ***Save the juice in the can for the pineapple frosting.
  4. Spread the batter in a 9×13 pan and bake for about 30 minutes.
  5. Let the cake cool. Mix together pineapple juice and powdered sugar. Drizzle the frosting over the cake.

Recipe tips

  • 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 hand and cheap pineapple peeler and corer to make this step easier.

Cut into 1-inch chunks. Place a handful of chunks in the blender or food processor and chop. Chop until the pineapple is cut into small pieces. Be sure not to blend too long.

One pieces of pineapple cake on a white plate with a pineapple in the background

How to store

I recommend storing this cake in the refrigerator. This cake will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

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.

Easy Pineapple Cake FAQs

Can you make crushed pineapple from slices of pineapple?

Yes, place slices of pineapple in a food processor. Pulse to chop the pineapple into small pieces. This can be used as crushed pineapple.

What is the difference between crushed pineapple and tidbits?

Pineapple tidbits are just small pineapple chunks. Crushed pineapple has been chopped into very small bits.

What’s the difference between white and yellow cake flavor?

White cake mix uses egg whites only while yellow cake uses the egg yolks and the whites. The flavor is very similar.

More delicious desserts

Piece of yellow cake with icing and pineapple in background.
5 from 12 votes

Pineapple Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

By Heather
Pineapple Cake
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 8

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 9×13 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. 

Notes

If there is not enough pineapple juice from the drained crushed pineapples, you can use extra pineapple juice or even a splash of mix the thin up the icing. 

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 90mg | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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7 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 5 stars
    My hubby would love this!! He is all about the fruity desserts. Looks so light & fluffy & the frosting with the pineapple juice..love!!

  3. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this cake looks amazing.. Perfect for a Summer BBQ. I can’t wait to try it. I love pineapple cake.

  4. 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.