Pineapple Heaven Cake — A Tropical Slice of Bliss 🍍

Published on FreshtonerHungar.com

Ingredients

• 1½ cups (≈ 190 g) all‑purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (≈ 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (≈ 200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (≈ 120 ml) sour cream
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained

For the Glaze:

• ½ cup (≈ 60 g) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• 2 Tbsp pineapple juice (from the drained pineapple or fresh)

Details:

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 50‑60 minutes
• Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes (including cooling & glazing)
• Servings: 8 slices
• Estimated calories per serving: ~280 kcal

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Set to **350°F (175°C)**. Grease and flour a loaf pan (≈ 9×5‑inch or similar).
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale.
4. Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, making sure each is thoroughly mixed; then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate flour & sour cream: Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the sour cream—start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined (avoid overmixing).
6. Fold in pineapple: Gently fold in the well‑drained crushed pineapple so you distribute it without deflating the batter.
7. Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan, smooth the top. Bake for 50‑60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).
8. Cool & remove: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and pineapple juice until smooth (adjust consistency if needed).
10. Glaze & serve: Once cake is fully cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Slice and enjoy.

Chef Tips & Variations

• Drain pineapple well: Excess moisture from pineapple can make cake soggy. Use a good strainer and maybe even press lightly with paper towel. Recipes from *Moist and Delicious Pineapple Cake* emphasize well‑drained pineapple. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• Sour cream magic: Sour cream adds richness and moisture. You could substitute with plain yogurt but texture and flavor slightly differ.
• Avoid overmixing: Mix until ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten too much and leads to tougher cake. Many pineapple loaf cake recipes warn about this. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Check doneness gently: Toothpick test is good; if a few moist crumbs cling, that’s fine—better than drying out the cake.
• Flavor boosts: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a bit of shredded coconut for texture. Fresh pineapple chunks can work if drained well. For a more tropical glaze, add a little coconut milk or zest of lime.
• Store properly: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1‑2 days; longer storage in fridge helps, but bring to room temp before serving for best flavor.

Nutrition & Health Info

Here’s an estimated nutrition profile per serving (1 of 8 slices). These are approximate—actual values depend on ingredients and brands.

Health Tips & Safety Considerations

• Use fresh or canned pineapple wisely: If using canned, drain well; if fresh, ensure it’s ripe and chopped small so texture is nice.
• Butter & sugar moderation: These contribute much of the fat and sugar. You can reduce sugar slightly or use a butter substitute, but cake texture may change.
• Dairy alternatives: Sour cream can be replaced with full‑fat yogurt or plant‑based cream in many cases; adjust moisture accordingly.
• Food safety: Don’t leave baked cake out in warm environment for too long, especially if it has dairy. Store in cool, airtight container.
• Check ovens carefully: Oven temperatures vary; if yours runs hot, you may need to reduce baking time or tent with foil to avoid over‑browning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did my cake sink in the middle?

Possible causes: cake wasn’t fully baked, you opened the oven too early, too much leavening, or too much moisture. To avoid this, ensure proper baking time and that batter isn’t over‑wet.

2. Can I use canned pineapple in juice instead of crushed drained pineapple?

Yes — but drain really well. The juice can be used in the glaze or as part of the moisture, but excess liquid in batter risks making it soggy.

3. Can I substitute sour cream?

Yes — plain full‑fat yogurt works well. Non‑dairy yogurts can also work; texture may be a bit different, possibly lighter or slightly more crumb‑in texture.

4. How do I make the cake more moist or softer?

Use sour cream, don’t overmix, ensure pineapple is well drained, and bake until just done (don’t overbake). Also, using melted butter and maybe a little oil can help.

5. What if I want a stronger pineapple flavor?

Add more crushed pineapple, use pineapple juice in the batter or glaze, or even stir in a small bit of pineapple extract. Toasted shredded coconut or a few pineapple chunks on top adds texture & flavor too.

6. Can I turn this into cupcakes instead of loaf?

Yes, use a muffin tin and paper liners. Bake at same temperature but for shorter time (≈ 20‑25 minutes) until toothpick comes out clean. Don’t overfill.

7. How long does this cake stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the cake stays good for about 2‑3 days. In the refrigerator, up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving for best flavor).

8. Can I freeze this cake?

Yes — after baking & cooling, wrap well and freeze. Thaw in fridge, then bring to room temp. Glaze may need refreshing.

9. What sides or toppings pair well?

Whipped cream, fresh pineapple slices, coconut flakes, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream make great companions.

10. Can I reduce sugar or calories?

Yes — try reducing sugar by 10‑20%, use a sugar substitute, swap half butter for applesauce, use lighter dairy. Just note texture and sweetness will change.

Related Recipes on FreshtonerHungar.com

• Moist Pineapple Bread — similar tropical flavors with even more pineapple & optional nuts.
• Pineapple Upside‑Down Cake — classic twist with caramel & pineapple rings. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Coconut Pineapple Bundt Cake — adds coconut texture and a beautiful bundt shape.

Final Thoughts

Pineapple Heaven Cake is a treat that brings sunshine to any dessert table. With moist tender crumb from sour cream and pineapple, and a sweet tangy glaze, it’s a perfect blend of comfort and bright flavor. Follow the tips above, be gentle with mixing, and you’ll have a loaf that tastes like tropical heaven with every bite. 🍍✨