Description
Pineapple Sunshine Cake is a delightful American dessert featuring a moist yellow cake imbued with crushed pineapple and topped with a creamy, fluffy vanilla pudding and pineapple mixture. This easy-to-make tropical treat is perfect for summer gatherings and tastes even better after chilling overnight.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple with juice
Topping Ingredients
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
- 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
- Maraschino cherries, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and the 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple with juice. Stir the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the baking dish before proceeding to the next step. This prevents the topping from melting.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the instant vanilla pudding mix with the drained 8-ounce can of crushed pineapple. Then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is fluffy and fully combined.
- Assemble and Chill: Spread the pudding and pineapple topping evenly over the cooled cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to set the topping and enhance the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Optional—decorate the top with maraschino cherries before serving. Enjoy your Pineapple Sunshine Cake chilled for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- This cake tastes even better after chilling overnight, which allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- For a lighter version, use sugar-free pudding mix and light whipped topping.
- Serve the cake cold to enjoy the optimal texture and tropical flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
