Pineapple Layer Cake

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This sweet, moist and tender Pineapple Layer Cake is packed with juicy pineapple chunks! Three soft layers of pineapple cake are separated by a creamy pineapple filling and finished off with homemade whipped cream frosting.

Heavenly Pineapple Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting

If you enjoy pineapple – even just a little bit – you will love this cake. It’s a light and refreshing dessert that features plenty of crushed pineapple in both the cake and the filling.

The velvety filling compliments the tender layers of cake in such a dreamy way. It’s creamy and light yet full of flavor, ensuring that the cake as a whole remains nice and delicate. Once you spread on the pillowy whipped cream frosting, this 3-layer masterpiece will give your favorite Pineapple Upside Down cake a run for its money.

The crushed pineapple doesn’t just infuse this dessert with fruity flavor – it also adds some amazing texture. Not to mention, it ensures that the cake stays delightfully moist! Needless to say, this beauty instantly joined the list of our family favorites.

What You’ll Need

Each component of this cake relies on a simple lineup of ingredients. For the full amounts of what you’ll need, refer to the recipe card toward the bottom of this post.

For the Pineapple Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Use a food scale, if possible. Otherwise, fluff your flour and use the spoon and level method.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give you super soft and fluffy cake layers.
• Salt: To help lock in moisture and enhance flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Be sure to bring this to room temperature.
• Vegetable Oil
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Crushed Pineapple: Don’t forget to include the juice from the cans as well.
• Vanilla Extract

For the Pineapple Filling

• Sugar
• Cornstarch: To thicken up the filling.
• Crushed Pineapple: With juice.
• Water

For the Whipped Cream Frosting

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Make sure this is nice and cold.
• Powdered Sugar: To ensure that your whipped cream doesn’t wilt.
• Vanilla Extract
• Dried Pineapple Slices: To decorate the cake.

How to Make Pineapple Layer Cake

Because of all the crushed pineapple in this cake, getting perfectly clean slices is pretty much impossible – but it doesn’t matter – they’re going to get devoured lickety-split!

Make the Cake Layers

1. Prep Pans & Heat Oven: Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set the mixture aside.
3. Cream Butter, Oil & Sugar: Add the butter, oil and sugar to a large mixer bowl and beat them together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time. You should visibly see a change in color and texture.
4. Add Eggs One by One: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Start Adding Pineapple: Add half of the crushed pineapple and mix until well combined.
6. Start Adding Dry Ingredients: Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined.
7. Finish Adding Pineapple: Add the remaining crushed pineapple and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is well combined.
8. Finish Adding Dry Ingredients: Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, but do not over-mix the batter.
9. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few loose crumbs.
10. Let Cool: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then flip them out onto cooling racks and let them cool completely.

Make the Filling

1. Combine Sugar & Cornstarch: Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan.
2. Add Pineapple & Water: Stir in the crushed pineapple, including the juice, and the water.
3. Cook: Cook the filling over medium heat, stirring regularly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil, about 10 minutes. Allow the filling to boil for 1 minute, then remove it from the heat.
4. Chill: Set the filling in the fridge until it has cooled completely.

Make the Frosting & Build the Cake

1. Make Frosting: Make sure the cake layers and filling have fully cooled before you continue. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl. Whip the mixture on high speed until stiff peaks form.
2. Fold Some Into Filling: Fold one cup of the whipped cream frosting into the pineapple filling until well combined. Set aside.
3. Remove Cake Domes: Use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the top of the cakes so that they’re flat (if needed). These cakes don’t have a large dome, but I like to make sure they’re completely flat. Place the first cake on a serving plate or a cardboard cake round.
4. Start Assembling: Pipe a dam of whipped cream around the outer edge of the cake, then fill it with half of the pineapple filling. Spread the filling out evenly.
5. Continue Layering: Add the second layer of cake, another rim of whipped cream and the rest of the pineapple filling. Add the final layer of cake on top.
6. Frost: Frost the top and outside of the cake with the whipped cream frosting. Use the remaining whipped cream to pipe swirls on top of the cake.
7. Garnish & Serve: Finish off the cake with some dried pineapple slices. Cut and serve it or store it in the fridge until you’re ready.

Can I Make the Cake Ahead of Time?

Sure you can! First, bake the cake layers and let them cool as usual. Once they’ve fully cooled, store them in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 2 days. The filling (without the whipped cream folded in) should also be okay in the fridge overnight – just be sure to keep it in an airtight container.

Helpful Tips

Even professional bakers could benefit from some friendly advice. Here’s mine for this heavenly cake!

• Measure the Flour Carefully: Don’t just scoop your measuring cup directly into the flour. Instead, spoon in the flour bit by bit and level it off at the top with a butter knife. This prevents the flour from getting packed in and causing an incorrect measurement.
• Don’t Forget the Juice: Whether you’re working on the cake or the filling, it’s important to add the juice from the can in addition to the crushed pineapple itself. Don’t be shy – just dump it all in there!
• Use the Whipped Cream Frosting Immediately: You’ll want to make the whipped cream frosting just before you use it. If you make it ahead of time, it’ll likely deflate when you stir it back up later. However, it won’t deflate if you make it right before you fold it into the filling and frost the cake.

How to Store Extras

Leftover pineapple cake should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Pineapple Cake?

Due to the whipped cream frosting, this cake isn’t ideal for freezing. But you can definitely freeze the cooled cake layers by themselves! Wrap each one in a tight layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of heavy-duty foil. Freeze them for up to 3 months and defrost them in the fridge before you build the cake.

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More Luscious Layer Cakes to Try

Already fantasizing about your next layer cake? I’ve got the perfect recipes to make your dreams a reality.

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Layer Cake
• Cookies and Cream Layer Cake
• Cranberry Orange Layer Cake
• Tiramisu Layer Cake