This Pineapple Coconut Cake is light, fresh and fruity, and covered in cream cheese whipped cream! It’s the perfect Easter dessert or anytime treat! With step by step VIDEO.
Easter has got to be one of the best times of the year.
The sun is (hopefully) shining, Spring is in the air and it smells fresh.
Or like mud.
But either way, after coming out of a winter like we have just had (super, totally miserable and more so than usual for chilly Manitoba), I am ready for all the things that remind me of the warmth on the horizon.
Two of those things?
Pineapple and coconut.
Together they have such a fresh, tropical vibe that seems to be so welcome on the Easter dessert table. And in cake form with a slather of cream cheese frosting?
Ain’t nobody complaining.
Except all of the coconut haters, and then do we even care? If they don’t want their slice I’ll gladly eat it!
How to make Pineapple Coconut Cake:
- Start with the cake. This is a homemade pineapple cake made with crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, coconut milk and coconut extract for big tropical flavor.
- Bake your cakes and make sure they are completely cool before filling and frosting (they can even be frozen solid!).
- Make your filling: the filling here is a simple crushed pineapple and instant vanilla pudding mixture. We made the cake from scratch and I don’t feel bad about using a pudding mix to speed things up here!
- Make your frosting: this is a coconut cream cheese frosting. It’s quite sweet and it stands up to being piped and on the sides of a tall cake. If you want something lighter, I recommend the cream cheese whipped cream from my Funfetti Cake recipe.
How to make Cream Cheese Frosting:
This cream cheese frosting is my frosting of choice these days (when it’s not whipped cream or Swiss meringue buttercream!). It’s simple to make, and has a bit of tang that I find cuts through a bit of sweetness.
It is still quite sweet, so feel free to add the sugar gradually so you can adjust to your tastes (keep in mind though that the sugar is what makes it firm, so if you reduce too much it won’t be as thick and sturdy).
The important things to remember are:
- room temperature cream cheese and butter (this prevents lumps)
- add the sugar gradually, and don’t forget the salt. A bit of salt helps to balance out that super sweet taste
How to make this Pineapple Coconut Cake ahead:
This Pineapple Coconut Cake is easy to make ahead!
I find that cake is easier to slice if it has been chilled for 8-24 hours, so I actually prefer to make it the day before or in the morning if we’re having it after dinner.
The cake layers themselves can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months (see below for details).
The assembled cake and pineapple filling can be made and refrigerated up to 3 days before assembling.
The cream cheese whipped cream is best made the day of or day before serving as whipped cream doesn’t hold long term.
The assembled Pineapple Coconut Cake can be stored up to 24 hours before serving.
How to freeze this Pineapple Coconut Cake:
- Remove each layer from the pan and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a ziploc freezer bag.
- Freeze on a flat surface where it will retain its shape.
- Keep frozen up to 3 months before frosting and serving.
- To thaw, let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours before frosting and assembling.
More Easter dessert recipes:
Pineapple Coconut Cake
This Pineapple Coconut Cake is light, fresh and fruity, and covered in cream cheese whipped cream! It’s the perfect Easter dessert or anytime treat! With step by step VIDEO.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 739kcal
Ingredients
Pineapple Coconut Cake
- 1/2 cup oil (110g)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (135g)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour (295g) fluffed and levelled
- 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
- 3/4 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
Pineapple Filling
- 1 1/4 cup crushed pineapple with juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 package vanilla instant pudding mix (102g)
Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup cream cheese room temperature (250g/8oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar (480g)
Instructions
Pineapple Coconut Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour 3 8″ round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sour cream and sugar.
Add eggs, vanilla, coconut extract and coconut milk and whisk until combined.
Whisk in baking powder, baking soda and salt until completely combined.
Stir in flour until just incorporated. Slowly stir in pineapple and coconut.
Divide between prepared pans and bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
Let cakes cool in the pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Assemble or wrap and refrigerate or freeze.
Pineapple Filling
Stir together crushed pineapple with juice, milk and pudding mix until smooth.
Set aside until thickened.
Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the butter and beat on high until smooth.
Add the vanilla, coconut extract and salt and beat until combined.
Add the powdered sugar in 3 or 4 batches, beating well after each addition and tasting near the end to ensure the frosting reaches your desired level of sweetness. Add a touch more salt or coconut extract if desired.
Assembly
Plate on cake layer on a cake plate and spread with half of the pineapple filling, being sure to leave a border around the edge.
Place another cake layer on top and spread with remaining pineapple filling.
Top with last cake layer and frost as desired, decorating with remaining frosting and toasted coconut as desired.
You can serve immediately, but I recommend refrigerating 4-6 hours as it will be easier to slice.
Video
Nutrition (this is an estimate)
Nutrition Facts
Pineapple Coconut Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 739 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Cholesterol 88mg 29%
Sodium 347mg 14%
Potassium 331mg 9%
Total Carbohydrates 111g 37%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 89g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin A 13.6%
Vitamin C 12.3%
Calcium 10.1%
Iron 12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
