Southern Pineapple Cake is amazingly moist and delicious. It’s so easy to make and even easier to eat! A simple, moist from scratch pineapple cake studded with pecans and coconut. Topped with a scrumptious pecan coconut frosting.
We LOVE pineapple in a cake. Whether it is the Pineapple Bundt Poke Cake or a beautiful cake like the upside-down cupcakes, pineapple gives the cake such great flavor and a moist texture. Bars are so easy to make and delicious as well like these Tropical Pineapple Coconut Bars. Pineapple Pound Cake has a great texture and is fun to take to a potluck as well.
This recipe is from my co-host, Mary from Cooking with Mary and Friends. She is also the food columnist at Camden Living Magazine, Contributor to Basil and Salt Magazine, and a South Carolina small family farms advocate. Mary cooks with pastured meats, farm-grown vegetables, and farm-fresh dairy ingredients. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Thank you to Mary for sharing one of her favorite cake recipes! With pineapple, coconut, and nuts, this cake has a tropical flavor. This cake is a “pot luck” favorite, but also makes a great after-school snack cake, or anytime you want an easy dessert. Just a few simple ingredients and you’re done. You don’t need a mixer, just beat the batter in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.
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Why We Love this Recipe
This Pineapple Cake so easy to make, and even easier to serve! Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or showers, or any time!
It’s always a hit to take some pineapple cake to a party or potluck, or serve with chilled iced tea on the patio!
We love this pineapple cake because it is dense enough to hold up well on a buffet table while keeping all the tangy, citrus flavors!
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Tips for the Perfect Southern Pineapple Cake
- Add those juices from the can of crushed pineapple to get that moist, sweet flavor!
- Because this cake has fruit, it should be stored in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days!
- This cake is also easily frozen! Just cut into portions or freeze the entire cake by wrapping it in plastic wrap, then foil and label the outside with the date.
- Southern Pineapple cake should last about 6 weeks in the freezer.
FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION
RECIPE
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 – 20 oz can Dole crushed pineapple (with juice)
For the Topping:
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup of sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup coconut flakes
How to Make a Southern Pineapple Cake
If you’re nervous to make any kind of homemade cakes, this is one of the easiest cakes to start with. It’s a thick, rich, moist cake rather than a light fluffy one.

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray with baking spray a 13 x 9 -inch baking dish. In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, vanilla, and crushed pineapple (with juice) and beat until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
While the cake is baking, heat butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan until it begins to boil over medium-high heat. Stir in pecans or walnuts and coconut and continue cooking on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken slightly.
Removed baked cake from oven and poke holes all over the top using a wooden chopstick or the tines of a large serving fork. Spread topping evenly over top of warm cake and let cool.
Slice and serve!
More Pineapple Dessert Recipes:
PINEAPPLE BUNDT POKE CAKE
Pineapple Pecan Pound Cake
Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes
Frozen Pineapple Pie ( No Bake)
Pineapple Coconut Poke Bundt Cake
Tropical Pineapple Coconut Bars
More Savory Pineapple Recipes:
BBQ Bacon & Pineapple Shish Kabobs
Asian Pineapple Ribs and Ling Ling Bibimbap Beef Fried Rice
Pineapple Sweet Ribs
Easy Pineapple Casserole
Pineapple Fried Rice
Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her very popular website Moore or Less Cooking
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Southern Pineapple Cake
Southern Pineapple Cake is amazingly moist and delicious. It’s so easy to make and even easier to eat! A simple, moist from scratch pineapple cake studded with pecans and coconut. Topped with a scrumptious pecan coconut frosting.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 - 20 oz can Dole crushed pineapple (with juice)
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease or spray with baking spray a 13 x 9 -inch baking dish. In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, vanilla and crushed pineapple (with juice) and beat until well combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
- While cake is baking, heat butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan until it begins to boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in pecans or walnuts and coconut and continue cooking on medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- The mixture will thicken slightly.
- Removed baked cake from oven and poke holes all over the top using a wooden chopstick or the tines of a large serving fork.
- Spread topping evenly over top of warm cake and let cool.
- Slice and serve!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Evaporated Milk (Vitamin D Added), 12 Fl Oz
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Rodelle Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract, 8 Oz
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365 Everyday Value, Unsalted Butter, 16 oz
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Dole Crushed Pineapple in Juice
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Baker’s Sweetened Angel Flake Coconut (7 oz Bag)
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Fisher Chef's Naturals Pecan Halves, 24 oz, Naturally Gluten Free, No Preservatives, Non-GMO
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C&H, Cane Sugar, Golden Brown, 2lb Bag (Pack of 2)
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King Arthur, Unbleached Cake Flour, 32 Ounce
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Ifuerte 10-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
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Mixing Bowls
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 494Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 55mgSodium 214mgCarbohydrates 80gFiber 3gSugar 61gProtein 6g


Lacie P
Saturday 15th of July 2023
Hi Nettie
Made this cake yesterday and it was a hit! The cake was very moist and the delicious topping was the perfect flavor combination. I loved being able to mix it all in one bowl which made for easy cleanup. Thank you for sharing your recipe, this will be a favorite go to.
Suzann
Sunday 9th of July 2023
Made this cake for Sunday supper. It was wonderful! Husband loved it. Reminds him of a Hummingbird cake with none of the fuss for me. Win-Win right 👍
Lucy
Saturday 14th of January 2023
I was looking for a easy cake and came across this one. I didn’t have evaporated milk, but I had some half and half so I decided to try it using the half and half. Since it’s just my husband and myself, I decided to drain off 1/2 cup of the pineapple juice and substitute it with a 1/2 cup of coconut rum. It came out fantastic.
Bindu
Monday 21st of November 2022
Delicious cake. My hubby and kids enjoyed it for supper! Clear and easy instructions . Thank you so much.
Marta
Thursday 2nd of September 2021
This cake is delicious! I didn’t have any evaporated milk so decided to use orange juice and a little orange rind. I was dubious about a cake with no butter or oil but the topping takes care of that and adds incredible flavor and moisture. I’ll definitely make it again and use the evaporated milk the next time. Thanks Nettie!