My grandma is known for making an amazing pineapple coconut cake for all holidays and family events. Today I am sharing this easy and delicious coconut pineapple cake with you!
Nothing beats a tried and true family recipe! In the town I grew up in, my grandma is famous for this coconut pineapple cake. It is so easy to make but everyone will think you slaved in the kitchen all day making this impressive cake.
My grandma makes this cake for every holiday and every family function. If she is invited somewhere, the first question is always “can you make your delicious cake.” I swear this cake is what made my husband decide to marry me because it is that good. The best part is that is super simple to make. There is no way anyone would guess how easy it is or that you started with a boxed cake mix!
This cake is the perfect dessert for BBQs, picnics and pretty much any occasion you can think of. People will literally be falling over each other to get some more. I speak from experience because I’ve seen it firsthand!
What are your favorite cakes? Do you have one a family member is “famous” for making all the time?
If you make my Grandma’s coconut pineapple cake or any other recipe from the blog, I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a comment or snap a photo and tag it #MySuburbanKitchen on Instagram or Twitter.
If you enjoyed Grandma’s Coconut Pineapple Cake, check out these:
Essential Items for This Recipe:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 10 oz cool whip
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained
- 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
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1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
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2. In the bowl of a mixer, combine cake mix and 20 oz of undrained crushed pineapple. Mix on low for 1 minute and then medium for 2 minutes. Divide between prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. Let cool completely.
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3. For the frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth. Fold in cool whip and drained, crushed pineapple. Spread icing on one cooled cake. Top with second cooled cake and spread icing on top. Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes.
I love all things coconut…and this looks tasty!
Thanks! My husband is a huge coconut fan.
This looks fabulous! I would love for you to share it at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up at: http://www.marathonsandmotivation.com
Yes, let’s definitely make this! Pinned, and can’t wait to try what looks like such an easy but oh, so lish cake. Thanks!
–G
http://gingerwroot.com
I love anything coconut but cake is my all time FAV! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I like that it looks “fancy” even though the decorating is simple to do. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays.
What is cool whip?
Hi – It is a brand of whipped cream. You find it in the frozen food aisle by the desserts usually.
That looks so good! I love pineapple and just love how tropical and lovely this looks. Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
This looks so good. YUM! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
Shannah, this is just lovely and so perfect for summer! Your Grandma would be proud to see it featured here, I’m sure. Thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
What a wonderful recipe. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing it! #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Shannah, I’m planning on making this tonight! Could you clarify, no eggs or oil or other ingredients that the cake mix asks for?
Yes, that is correct 🙂
Do you use pineapple that is unsweetened??
The pineapple is the standard canned crushed pineapple in juice (not syrup). The coconut is unsweetened.
If I substitute sugar-free cake mix, do you think it would be ok for diabetics
Yes, I think that would be ok. The only sugar would then come from the pineapple which is just fruit based sugar. Obviously, it would depend on a person’s specific circumstances but you aren’t adding any sugar to the recipe for the cake.
The frosting is where you might have an issue but I think they do make sugar free cool whip which could help.
Can someone please let me know what ‘Cool Whip” is? I live in Australia and no one here knows what it is!!!! The cake looks SOOOOOO yummy i am excited to give it a try.
TIA Marg
Hi Marg – Thanks for your comment. Cool Whip is a brand of stabilized whipped cream found here in the US. Here is a great recipe to make your own: http://www.somethingswanky.com/homemade-cool-whip/
My only problem was in spraying the pans. I had awful luck getting cakes out of the pans! Think I’ll go back to grease/flour. BUT the cake was a hit at the BBQ !
I always use the spray that has the flour in it. If that doesn’t work, you could also try a round of parchment paper in the bottom.
Can this be made in a 9×13 pan? Will it change the cooking time?
I have never baked it that way but I am sure you could! I think the baking time should be about the same but you would need to watch it to see. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance but I have only baked it as written.
Is the cake baked according to the directions on the box, adding oil. eggs and than adding the pineapples. OR do you just add the pineapple to the cake mix?
THe pineapples are used in place of the oil and eggs.
Shannah. Am I understanding correctly, that there are no other ingredients besides the dry cake mix and crushed P.A. No eggs No oil. Luv , Luv, Luv Pineapple. The frosting sounds wonderful, anxious to make…
Hi Jaime! Yes, you have that correct. The ingredients are cake mix and crushed pineapple. No eggs or oil are needed. The cake will be very moist 🙂
Hi,
Can i make this pineapple coconut cake a night before dinner/party?
Yes, just keep it refrigerated.
Do you drain the crushed pineapple for the cake mix?
Yes, you do drain the crushed pineapple.