Pineapple Cake Recipe

This Pineapple Cake Recipe is the best! Moist yellow cake layers with a luscious Pineapple & Cream Filling!

Ingredients

For the Yellow Cake

• 3 cups (342g) cake flour
• 2 cups (400g) sugar
• 2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (239g) buttermilk — **if you do not have buttermilk see note below
• 1 Tablespoon (12g) vanilla extract

FOR THE PINEAPPLE & CREAM FILLING:

• 1 small box instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups heavy cream or whipping cream (not a whipped topping such as Cool Whip)
• 1 (15.25 oz.) can crushed pineapple, DRAINED. If you want to add pineapple to the top of the cake, reserve 1/3 cup

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 2 sticks (1 cup) (226 g) unsalted butter, let it sit out approximately 10 minutes. It should feel very cool to the touch.
• 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (total weight 452g) I use full fat cream cheese. Using reduced fat or the spreadable cream cheese will cause the frosting to be too soft. Soften very slightly.
• 2 teaspoons (8 g) vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (2g) optional – it will cut the sweetness, popcorn salt is best to use because it is fine and dissolves faster
• 6 to 6 1/2 cups (690g to 747g) powdered sugar

Instructions

FOR THE YELLOW CAKE

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour three 8×2 inch round cake pans. Place a piece of parchment cut to the size of the pan in the bottom of each.

1. Put the first 5 ingredients into the bowl of your mixer. Mix on low speed for at least 30 seconds to combine.
2. Add the softened butter (cut into pieces) mix on low speed just until it looks like coarse sand. The dry ingredients will be moistened/coated by the butter and will stick to together if you press some between two fingers. Don’t over-mix or it will turn into a large dough-like ball.
3. Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing until blended. 
4. Add the vanilla to the 1 cup buttermilk. With the mixer on lowest speed gradually pour into the mixer. Increase the speed to #2 or # 3 (on a KitchenAid mixer). Mix for 2 minutes. Batter will be fluffy and smooth. If you are using a hand mixer rather than a stand mixer, you will need to mix a bit longer.
5.    Divide batter evenly between your three prepared (8 inch) pans.

• Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and turn out of pans. 

FOR THE PINEAPPLE AND CREAM FILLING:

1. Stir together the pudding mix and whipping cream. You are using the whipping cream to make the pudding, rather than milk. The mixture will become very thick.
2. We prefer to use a hand mixer to whip the mixture until fluffy (if you do not have a mixer, you can do this with a whisk by hand). Fold in crushed, drained, pineapple until it is a spreadable consistency.

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

1. Cut the butter into slices and add to the bowl of your mixer. Beat on low to medium speed until the butter is softened and smooth.
2. Cut the cold cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, beating at low to medium speed until incorporated. If you are using a hand mixer you may need to soften the cream cheese a bit more.
3. Add the vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar beating on low speed until blended.
4. Increase mixing speed and beat until fluffy. Don’t over beat.
5. This frosting will pipe best if used while still chilled. You can make it in advance, refrigerate and when ready to use let it soften slightly (do not microwave) and remix.
6. Will frost a 3 layer 8 or 9 inch cake.

Notes

No Buttermilk? You can make it yourself. Here’s a Buttermilk Substitute: In a 1 cup measuring cup add 2 Tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice. Fill the cup with milk, stir and let sit for 5 minutes.