This Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake is sunshine in a dish, a wonderfully simple dessert that’s perfect for sharing. It combines a moist, flavorful cake with layers of sweet pineapple and a dreamy, creamy topping. It’s an easy pineapple cake that has become a staple in my kitchen for potlucks and family gatherings.
My sister Jennifer first brought this to a family barbecue, and it was just like her: bright, sweet, and the center of a happy memory. That first bite of chilled, creamy pineapple cake on a warm summer day was pure bliss. This Heaven Cake recipe always takes me right back.
The Sweetest Secrets to Success
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: This recipe uses a straightforward yellow cake mix and canned pineapple to create a dessert that tastes like it came from a specialty bakery.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Because it needs to chill, this pineapple cake is the perfect dessert to prepare a day in advance for parties or gatherings.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of moist cake, juicy fruit, and creamy topping is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Versatile and Easy: This easy pineapple cake recipe is simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough for a holiday celebration.
What You’ll Need for This Sweet Treat
For the Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup pineapple juice (from the can) or water
For the Pineapple Layer:
- 1 can crushed pineapple in juice (20 oz), undrained
For the Creamy Topping:
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz).
- 1 cup cold milk
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
My Trusted Kitchen Helpers
9×13-Inch Pan
A classic 9×13-inch pan is my go-to for this recipe; it bakes the yellow cake evenly and holds all the luscious layers perfectly.
Offset Spatula
An offset spatula makes spreading the creamy topping a breeze, giving you that beautiful, smooth finish without any fuss.
Let’s Bake a Memory Together
First, a Warm Welcome for Your Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan. I find a little baking spray with flour works wonders to make sure nothing sticks.
Mixing Up the Sunshine
In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and pineapple juice until it’s lovely and smooth. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
The Juicy Pineapple Soak
While the cake is still hot from the oven, evenly spoon the entire can of undrained crushed pineapple over the surface. Don’t be shy! Let all that wonderful fruit and juice soak right in as the cake cools down to room temperature.
Creating That Dreamy, Creamy Layer
In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk for about 2 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Then, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping and a splash of vanilla until it’s all light, creamy, and combined.
Time to Let It Chill
Spread the creamy topping over the completely cooled pineapple layer. It’s important the cake is cool, or the topping will melt. Pop it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours so it can set up nicely, which makes for clean, pretty slices.
The Beautiful Finish
If you like, decorate the top with extra pineapple chunks and bright maraschino cherries before serving. Serve it cold and enjoy that juicy, creamy bite of heaven!
A Quick Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used.
A Few Lighter Twists
- Reduce the Sugar: Opt for a sugar-free yellow cake mix and a sugar-free vanilla pudding mix to lower the overall sugar content without sacrificing flavor.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: For a tangier and protein-rich topping, you can replace half of the whipped topping with plain Greek yogurt.
- Lighter Oil: Substitute the vegetable oil with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce to reduce the fat while keeping the cake moist.
Ways to Dress Up Your Cake Slice
- Toasted Coconut: Sprinkle a generous layer of toasted shredded coconut over the top for a delightful crunch and extra tropical flavor.
- With a Side of Sorbet: A scoop of mango or lime sorbet alongside a slice of this pineapple cake creates a refreshing and elegant dessert pairing.
- Fresh Mint Garnish: A few fresh mint leaves on top add a beautiful pop of color and a hint of fresh aroma that complements the pineapple perfectly.
A Little Advice From My Kitchen
- Topping a Warm Cake: Be sure the cake has cooled completely to room temperature before spreading the creamy topping. A warm cake will cause the topping to melt and become runny.
- Overmixing the Batter: When preparing the yellow cake base, mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a dense cake.
- Not Chilling Long Enough: This cake needs at least two hours in the refrigerator for the topping to firm up. Slicing it too early will result in messy servings.
Keeping Your Cake Fresh and Delicious
This Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake should be stored in the refrigerator due to its creamy topping. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. It will keep well for up to 5 days, and many think the flavors get even better after a day or two!
From My Kitchen to Yours
There’s something truly special about a dessert that’s both simple and spectacular. This Pineapple Heaven Cake recipe is one of those gems that I hope finds a place in your recipe box. It’s more than just a cake; it’s a little slice of sunshine, perfect for creating your own sweet memories with the people you love.
Just in Case You’re Wondering…
Can I try a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake is classic, a butter pecan or even a coconut cake mix would be a delicious variation for this pineapple cake recipe.
Is this a good dessert to make the day before?
Yes, this is a great make-ahead dessert. You can prepare it a full day in advance; in fact, letting it chill overnight allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
What if I only have pineapple chunks?
Crushed pineapple is ideal because it allows the juice to soak evenly into the cake, making it extra moist. If you only have pineapple chunks or tidbits, you can pulse them a few times in a food processor before using them.
Print
Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake is sunshine in a dish — a wonderfully simple dessert that combines moist cake, juicy pineapple, and a creamy topping for pure bliss.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup pineapple juice (from the can) or water
- 1 can crushed pineapple in juice (20 oz), undrained
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
- 1 cup cold milk
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and pineapple juice until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While hot, spoon the entire can of undrained crushed pineapple evenly over the cake and let it soak in as it cools to room temperature.
- In another bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Gently fold in whipped topping and vanilla extract.
- Spread the creamy mixture over the cooled pineapple layer and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish with pineapple chunks and cherries if desired, then serve cold.
Notes
For a lighter twist, swap half of the whipped topping with Greek yogurt or use sugar-free cake and pudding mix. Always let the cake chill completely before slicing for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked and Chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: pineapple cake, creamy dessert, potluck cake, pineapple heaven cake