Here’s a luscious and tropical Pineapple Coconut Dream Cake recipe — light, creamy, and bursting with sunny flavor! 🍍🥥✨
🍰 Pineapple Coconut Dream Cake
Serves: 12–16
Prep time: 20 min
Bake time: 25–30 min
Chill time: 2–4 hours (for best flavor)
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 box yellow or white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained — reserve juice)
For the creamy filling:
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) container Cool Whip or 1½ cups whipped cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the topping:
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (with some juice)
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted or plain
- Optional: maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Bake the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare cake mix according to package directions, replacing part of the water with reserved pineapple juice for extra flavor.
- Fold in 1 cup crushed pineapple.
- Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
- Make the creamy layer:
- Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; mix well.
- Fold in Cool Whip until creamy and fluffy.
- Assemble:
- Spread the cream layer evenly over the cooled cake.
- Spoon crushed pineapple evenly on top.
- Sprinkle with shredded coconut.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight gives the best flavor).
- Serve:
- Top with cherries if desired, slice, and serve chilled.
🌴 Tips & Variations
- Homemade twist: Use a simple butter or coconut cake recipe instead of boxed mix.
- Extra coconut flavor: Replace part of the milk or water in the cake with coconut milk.
- Toasted coconut topping: Toast coconut in a dry pan for 3–5 minutes until golden — adds crunch and aroma!
- Lighter version: Use light cream cheese and sugar-free whipped topping.
Would you like me to give you a no-bake “Pineapple Coconut Dream Dessert” version (with a graham cracker crust and creamy layers)? It’s super easy and great for summer!
