Easter is right around the corner, and if you’re like me, you’re already on the lookout for quick and easy recipes to wow your friends and family! This Easy Easter Pineapple Heaven Cake comes together in about 30 minutes and involves just one bowl for mixing, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for your spring celebrations. Your family will love the combination of sweet pineapple and creamy pudding topping! Plus, it’s versatile enough to switch up ingredients based on what you have on hand. It’s like a delicious little gem for a clean out the fridge session!
Ingredient Breakdown
Now, let’s dive into what you’ll need for this delightful dessert.
- 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Can (20 oz) Crushed Pineapple, Drained
- 1 Package (3.4 oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Cherries and Coconut for Garnish (Optional)
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Your Easy Easter Pineapple Heaven Cake
This is the fun part! Let’s walk through it step by step.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan (trust me, you don’t want the cake sticking!).
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and water. Yes, it’s that easy! Mix according to package instructions. As you stir, imagine that fluffy texture, so mouthwatering!
Fold in the crushed pineapple. Do this gently, you want it evenly distributed without over-mixing, which can lead to a denser cake.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While it bakes, your kitchen will start smelling like a tropical paradise. I swear, it’s amazing!
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Be patient; I know it’s hard when you can smell all that goodness!
In another bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until it’s thickened up and glossy.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. You want it nice and fluffy, this is the part where I get a little excited because, honestly, whipped cream is life!
Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture. The key here? Be gentle! You want to keep all that fluffiness intact.
Once your cake is cooled, spread the pudding mixture over the top evenly.
Garnish with cherries and coconut, if desired. It’s almost too pretty to eat, but, let’s be honest, you’re going to want to!
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. You want those flavors to really meld together, and it’s nice and cool that way!
Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly, this is my go-to recipe when I need a quick dessert that feels impressive. It’s such a reminder of childhood spring celebrations, full of laughter and delicious cake. I’m a real sucker for anything that keeps my family happy, and this cake is always a hit! Plus, it’s so versatile; you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. The best part is, leftovers (if you have any) are just as good, if not better, the next day!
If you loved this Easy Easter Pineapple Heaven Cake, be sure to check out my Easter Pretzels, my Easter No Bake Jello Pie, or my Gussy Up Deviled Eggs!
Why This Recipe Works
Crowd-Pleaser
No one can resist a creamy dessert topped with fruity goodness. It’s so sweet, it’s like sunshine on a plate! Whether it’s Easter brunch or a birthday bash, bring this to the table, and watch it disappear!
Quick & Easy
This cake comes together in under 30 minutes, and it’s just one bowl for mixing the batter! That means less mess and more time for what really matters, enjoying time with your loved ones!
Customizable
Feeling adventurous? Change up the fruits or use a different pudding flavor! You can even toss in some nuts or chocolate chips. Y’all, the possibilities are endless here.
Comfort Food
There’s something soothing about a sweet, fluffy cake. Loaded with flavors of vanilla and pineapple, this dessert touches the soul, if comfort food were a dessert, this would be it.
Make-Ahead
Since it needs to chill, you can whip this up a day in advance! Just imagine the bliss of having dessert done ahead of time. Who wouldn’t want that on a busy holiday?
Serving & Storage
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cake chilled for that refreshing burst of flavor! It’s delicious on its own, but if you want to elevate things, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside fresh fruit salad!
Storage
The cake keeps well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days if it lasts that long! Just make sure to cover it well to avoid any fridge odors.
Reheating Instructions
No need to reheat; this is best served chilled! But if you’re dying for that cake warmth, you can pop individual pieces in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! If you want to make it ahead of time, you can freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and top it the next day for a fabulous fresh treat!
So, whether you’re gearing up for an Easter celebration or just in the mood for a delightfully sweet slice of happiness, this Easy Easter Pineapple Heaven Cake is a go-to recipe that promises smiles all around! I can’t wait to hear what you think when you try it! Happy baking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Easter Pineapple Heaven Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, and water, mixing according to package instructions.
- Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- In another bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until thickened and glossy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
- Once the cake is cooled, spread the pudding mixture evenly over the top.
- Garnish with cherries and coconut if desired.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.