Southern Pineapple Cake
Southern Pineapple Cake is a moist, tender cake bursting with rich pineapple flavor and a touch of tangy magic. Perfect for holidays or casual gatherings, this classic Southern dessert combines fresh pineapple, a golden crumb, and creamy frosting for an irresistible treat that brings a burst of sunshine and Southern charm to any occasion.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with substitutions
Cake Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, peeled and diced (or crushed pineapple with juice, drained)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Optional: 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for cream cheese frosting)
- Optional garnish: pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, toasted shredded coconut
- Prepare the Pineapple: Peel and dice fresh pineapple into small pieces. If using crushed pineapple, drain excess juice slightly. Set aside.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with pineapple juice if using crushed pineapple.
- Fold in Pineapple: Gently fold the pineapple pieces into the batter, being careful not to overmix to keep the texture light and airy.
- Bake: Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Frost the Cake: Prepare a smooth frosting by mixing powdered sugar and softened butter, or make cream cheese frosting by adding cream cheese for a tangy richness. Spread evenly over the cooled cake and garnish with pineapple slices or toasted coconut as desired.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple whenever possible to enhance flavor and prevent excess moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender texture.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Toast coconut for garnish to add crunchy contrast and aroma.
- Test cake doneness early from 40 minutes onward to avoid overbaking and drying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx.)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Southern Pineapple Cake, Pineapple Cake, Moist Pineapple Cake, Southern Dessert, Tropical Cake, Pineapple Dessert