Pineapple Cake: No Soggy Bottom!

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Craving a slice of sunshine? This pineapple cake recipe is your answer! Imagine a moist, tender cake bursting with the tropical sweetness of pineapple, topped with a buttery brown sugar and pineapple chunk topping, and finished with a delicate glaze. Sounds divine, right? But here’s the secret: we’ve cracked the code to prevent that dreaded soggy bottom, ensuring every bite is pure perfection. Get ready to bake a pineapple cake that’s guaranteed to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Cake

This isn’t just another cake recipe; it’s a pineapple cake experience! Here’s why you’ll be making this recipe again and again:

Moist, Never Soggy: Our baking trick eliminates the soggy bottom, guaranteeing a perfect texture.
Intense Pineapple Flavor: We use crushed pineapple in the batter and pineapple chunks on top for maximum tropical goodness.
Buttery Brown Sugar Topping: This decadent topping adds a rich, caramelized flavor that complements the pineapple perfectly.
Easy to Make: Simple steps and readily available ingredients make this cake a breeze to bake.
Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for potlucks, parties, or a simple weeknight dessert.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Pineapple Cake

Before we embark on this baking adventure, let’s gather our ingredients. The magic of this cake lies in the interplay of sweet and tangy flavors, achieved through carefully selected components. We’ll be creating a light and airy base, a rich and decadent topping, and a delicate glaze to tie it all together. So, let’s dive into what you’ll need.

For the Cake Base:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the structure of our cake. For a slightly denser, more robust flavor, you could experiment with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour, but all-purpose will give you the most tender crumb.
1 teaspoon baking powder & 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: These are our leavening agents, responsible for the cake’s rise and airy texture. The combination provides a perfect balance.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors. Don’t skip it!
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Use real butter for the best flavor and texture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a tender crumb.
2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile. A good quality vanilla extract makes a difference!
1/2 cup buttermilk: This is our secret weapon for a moist and tender cake. The acidity of the buttermilk tenderizes the gluten in the flour, resulting in a softer texture.
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained: This is where the magic happens! Using the pineapple undrained ensures maximum pineapple flavor and moisture.

For the Brown Sugar Topping:

1/2 cup unsalted butter: Just like in the cake, real butter is best for the topping, providing a rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
1 cup packed light brown sugar: The brown sugar adds a caramel-like flavor that complements the pineapple beautifully. Be sure to pack it firmly when measuring.
1/4 cup heavy cream: Adds richness and helps to create a smooth, pourable topping.
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained: These add a beautiful texture and visual appeal to the topping. Be sure to drain them well to prevent a soggy topping.

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and creates a smooth, drizzable glaze.
2-3 tablespoons milk: Use milk to thin the powdered sugar to your desired consistency.

Crafting Your Pineapple Cake: Step-by-Step

Now for the fun part! Baking this amazing pineapple cake is easier than you might think. We’ll take you through each step, providing helpful tips and tricks along the way to ensure your cake turns out perfectly every time. The key to avoiding the soggy bottom is in the baking process, so pay close attention to the instructions. Let’s get started!

Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cake bakes evenly. Next, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prevents the cake from sticking and allows for easy removal. Consider using baking spray with flour for extra insurance.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking is crucial as it evenly distributes the leavening agents, resulting in a more uniform rise.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which is essential for a tender crumb. An electric mixer makes this step much easier! Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. This prevents the gluten in the flour from developing too much, resulting in a tougher cake. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, so be careful!
Fold in the Pineapple: Gently fold in the undrained crushed pineapple. Folding ensures that you don’t deflate the batter. The pineapple adds moisture and that signature pineapple flavor.
Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. This ensures that the cake bakes evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. This is your indication that the cake is fully baked.
Prepare the Topping: While the cake is baking, prepare the topping. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. This creates a rich, caramelized sauce that will soak into the cake.
Poke and Soak: Remove the cake from the oven. Immediately poke holes all over the top of the cake with a fork or wooden skewer. These holes allow the brown sugar topping to seep into the cake, adding moisture and flavor throughout.
Add Topping: Spread the brown sugar topping evenly over the hot cake. Arrange the drained pineapple chunks on top of the brown sugar topping. The pineapple chunks add a burst of fresh flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Final Bake: Return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and golden brown. This final bake caramelizes the topping and sets the pineapple chunks.
Cool and Glaze: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting. This allows the cake to firm up and prevents the glaze from melting. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
Serve and Enjoy: Cut the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy the taste of the tropics!

Tips for Perfect Pineapple Cake Every Time

Want to ensure your pineapple cake is a resounding success? Here are a few extra tips and tricks to keep in mind:

Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps the batter come together smoothly and evenly.
Properly Measure Flour: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour, resulting in too much flour in the batter.
Check for Doneness: A wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the glaze from melting.
Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Variations: For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter. You could also add chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping for a nutty crunch. Another fantastic cake option is a blueberry bundt cake with lemon zest which offers a similarly bright and refreshing flavor profile.

What to Serve With Pineapple Cake

This pineapple cake is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. Consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a side of fresh berries. A light and refreshing creamy cauliflower broccoli salad can also provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cake.

Your Pineapple Cake Questions Answered (FAQ)

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

While canned pineapple is convenient, you can certainly use fresh pineapple! Just be sure to peel, core, and chop it into small pieces. For the crushed pineapple, you can pulse the chopped pineapple in a food processor until it reaches the desired consistency. Using fresh pineapple can add an even brighter, more intense flavor to the cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can! The cake can be baked a day ahead of time and stored, unfrosted, in an airtight container at room temperature. The topping can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Before serving, reheat the topping and spread it over the cake, then bake as directed. This is a great option if you’re short on time.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup and then filling the cup with milk to the 1/2 cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and it’s ready to use!

My cake is browning too quickly. What should I do?

If you notice your cake is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil. This will prevent the top from burning while allowing the inside to continue baking.

Enjoy Your Homemade Pineapple Cake!

There you have it! A foolproof pineapple cake recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit. The combination of moist cake, caramelized topping, and sweet glaze is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a little slice of paradise. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how your cake turned out! And if you loved this recipe, share it with your friends and family!