Southern Creamy Pineapple Pecan Cake is the ultimate Southern dessert filled with crushed pineapple, toasted pecans, and silky cream cheese frosting…
This Southern Creamy Pineapple Pecan Cake is the epitome of comfort dessert. With a moist yellow crumb, bursts of sweet pineapple, rich cream cheese frosting, and the nutty crunch of pecans, it’s a Southern classic that deserves a spot at every family gathering, potluck, or celebration.
If you’re a fan of creamy, old-fashioned cakes that are easy to make and impossible to forget, this recipe is a must. For more nostalgic Southern desserts, check out the pineapple and cream cheese classics on brandirecipes.com — a perfect match for this delightful bake.
This cake takes inspiration from traditional Southern hospitality and adds a tropical twist with juicy pineapple. It’s incredibly easy to assemble, requires no mixer for the batter, and can be baked ahead of time — ideal for holiday hosting or Sunday dinners. As seen on sites like AllRecipes and Tasty.co, the combination of pineapple and pecans is loved for good reason.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 cup chopped pecans (plus more for topping)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup pineapple juice (optional, for flavor and smoothness)
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, vanilla extract, and the full can of crushed pineapple with juice. Mix until combined.
- Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans.
3. Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s).
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
4. Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until well incorporated.
- Add vanilla and pineapple juice (if using), beating until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Cake
- Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cake.
- Top with extra chopped pecans or whole pecans for garnish.
- Chill for 30 minutes for best slicing results.
Tips & Variations
- Add Coconut: Sprinkle shredded coconut on the frosting for a tropical flair.
- Sheet Cake Style: Skip the layering and serve as a single-layer 9×13 cake.
- Nut-Free Option: Replace pecans with toasted coconut or omit for allergies.
- More Pineapple Flavor? Stir pineapple juice into both the batter and the frosting.
- Make Ahead: Cake keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Want more Southern favorites? Visit SimplyRecipes or check out fruit-filled classics on TheSpruceEats.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Make-Ahead: Bake and freeze the unfrosted cake, then frost when ready to serve.
Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting: 45 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 servings
Tools Used
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- 9×13 baking pan
- Rubber spatula
- Hand mixer (for frosting)
- Cooling rack
External References
- SimplyRecipes’ flaky biscuit guide
- The Spruce Eats blueberry biscuit recipe
- Serious Eats biscuit baking techniques
Final Thoughts
This Southern Creamy Pineapple Pecan Cake blends rich Southern tradition with bold, tropical flavors. The moist, fruity base, paired with luscious cream cheese frosting and buttery pecans, creates a dessert that’s both indulgent and comforting.
Whether you’re baking for Sunday dinner, a special holiday, or just because you need a sweet escape, this recipe delivers every time. For more crowd-pleasing cakes and easy Southern desserts, don’t forget to explore Brandi Recipes — your new go-to for high-CPC, SEO-optimized recipes that rank and satisfy.
Looking for lighter options? You might also enjoy browsing healthy spins at EatingWell or simplified desserts at Delish.
Happy baking!
Southern Creamy Pineapple Pecan Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and both sugars until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well, then add vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients alternating with milk. Mix until combined.
- Fold in crushed pineapple and chopped pecans.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Frost the cooled cake and garnish with additional pecans and pineapple if desired.
- Chill before serving for best texture.
Notes
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred. This cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.