Pineapple Coconut America Cake (Printable)

Festive tropical layered dessert with cream cheese frosting and fresh berries

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake Components

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup well-drained canned crushed pineapple
12 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
13 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

14 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

19 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
20 - 1 cup fresh blueberries
21 - 1/2 cup toasted sweetened shredded coconut

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and oil in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Fold in drained crushed pineapple and sweetened shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
06 - Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
10 - Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread generous layer of frosting. Top with second layer and frost top and sides.
11 - Arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries in flag or swirl pattern. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tropical flavors keep every bite impossibly moist, even after days in the fridge
  • That cream cheese frosting is thick enough to hold its shape but still melts on your tongue
  • Its the showstopper that makes people assume you spent all day when really most of it is hands-off baking time
02 -
  • That pineapple must be drained until almost dry—too much liquid weighs down the batter and creates a gummy layer at the bottom
  • Frosting a cake that's even slightly warm will cause it to slide right off the sides
  • The oil in this recipe is what keeps it moist for days—butter-only cakes dry out much faster
03 -
  • Brush each cake layer with a little reserved pineapple juice before frosting to infuse extra moisture and flavor
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable here—cold eggs or cream cheese will curdle your batter or frosting

Go Back