Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake

📝 Description:

This ultra-moist Pineapple Heaven Cake is bursting with tropical pineapple flavor, layered with a fluffy whipped topping and a creamy filling that melts in your mouth. A quick, semi-homemade dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or when you just want a bite of sunshine.

🌍 Origin:

A nostalgic twist on classic Southern-style dump cakes and refrigerator desserts, this cake combines retro flavors with tropical pineapple vibes, making it a hit across generations.

🧂 Ingredients (Quantities):

🍰 For the Cake:

Ingredient	Quantity
Yellow cake mix	1 box (approx. 15.25 oz)
Crushed pineapple (with juice)	1 can (20 oz / 565g)
Eggs	3 large
Vegetable oil	½ cup (120ml)
Vanilla extract	1 tsp

🍍 For the Filling & Topping:

Ingredient	Quantity
Instant vanilla pudding mix	1 box (3.4 oz / 96g)
Cold milk	1 ½ cups (360ml)
Crushed pineapple (drained)	1 can (8 oz / 225g)
Whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar)	1 tub (8 oz / 225g)
Shredded coconut (optional)	½ cup
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)	½ cup

🌿 Optional Ingredients:

Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
Pineapple rings (for layering or topping)
Cream cheese (blend into the topping for tang)
Fresh mint leaves (garnish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Cake:

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and the entire can of crushed pineapple with juice.
Pour into a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely.

2. Make the Filling/Topping:

In a bowl, whisk together cold milk and vanilla pudding mix until slightly thickened.
Fold in drained pineapple and whipped topping (and optional coconut/nuts).
Chill mixture for 15–20 minutes to firm up.

3. Assemble:

Spread the topping evenly over the cooled cake.
Garnish with cherries, pineapple slices, or more coconut/nuts if desired.

4. Chill:

Refrigerate the cake for at least 1–2 hours (or overnight) before serving for best flavor and texture.

✅ Tips for Success:

Let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the topping.
Don’t skip chilling—it makes the cake extra juicy and allows the flavors to meld.
Use pineapple in juice, not syrup, for the best flavor and texture.
Add a little cream cheese to the topping for a tangy twist.