Tropical Pineapple Cake (Printable Version)

Soft and sweet dessert made with creamy cheese and crushed pineapple. Baked to perfection and finished with a juicy glaze.

# Ingredients:

→ Cake Ingredients

01 - 3 cups sugar
02 - 6 eggs, large and room temp
03 - 1 1/2 cups butter, unsalted and softened
04 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 tsp baking powder
06 - 1/4 tsp table salt
07 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 cup crushed pineapple, liquid drained
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - 1/2 tsp almond extract, only if you'd like

→ Glaze Topping

11 - 1 cup powdered (confectioners') sugar
12 - 2-3 tbsp of the pineapple juice you set aside earlier
13 - 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

# Steps:

01 - Turn on your oven to 325°F (165°C). Get your 10-inch pan ready by coating it well with butter and a dusting of flour. Double-check to cover every section to stop sticking.
02 - Whip together cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until they’re creamy and fully blended. Don’t rush; this step needs some care.
03 - Pour in your sugar slowly while still mixing. Beat the mixture until it gets light and fluffy—it might take a few minutes. Add one egg at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition before tossing in the next.
04 - In a separate mixing bowl, sift together your flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures everything’s evenly incorporated.
05 - Carefully mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Don’t over-stir; stop once everything’s just combined. Gently fold in the pineapple, vanilla, and optional almond extract.
06 - Pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake it for 75 to 85 minutes. You'll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out nearly clean or with a crumb or two.
07 - Let the cake rest in the pan for roughly 10 minutes. Flip it out onto a wire rack and let it cool off completely before glazing.
08 - Use a small bowl to whisk the powdered sugar with pineapple juice and vanilla. Adjust thickness by adding more juice or sugar until smooth but still pourable.
09 - Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze on top so it naturally drips along the sides. Slice it up and pair with tea or coffee for a delightful treat!

# Notes:

01 - Bring both the butter and cream cheese to room temperature to make mixing easier and to get a silky batter.
02 - Sprinkle toasted nuts or sweetened coconut over the glaze if you want to jazz it up!
03 - Store the cake in an airtight container. It stays fresh for 3 days on the counter or a week in the fridge.
04 - The flavors deepen and taste even better the day after baking. It's perfect to prep ahead!