Luscious Tropical Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe For Sweet Escapes
Sweet aromas of warmth and sunshine dance through the kitchen with this tropical carrot pineapple cake that blends tropical flavors into a delightful dessert.
Ripe pineapples and fresh carrots create a moist, irresistible treat that promises pure delight.
The combination of tender carrots and tangy pineapple brings a unique twist to traditional cake recipes.
Soft spices weave through each tender crumb, offering a comforting embrace of flavor.
Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that complements the cake’s natural sweetness.
You will savor every bite of this tropical-inspired dessert that feels like a mini vacation on a plate.
Get ready to indulge in a slice of pure happiness that celebrates the best of tropical baking.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories: 350 kcal
Servings: 12
Ingredients in Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake's sturdy base and essential structure for perfect texture.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents that help the cake rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and aromatic complexity to the cake's flavor profile.
Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cake.
For Wet and Binding Ingredients:
Vegetable Oil, Applesauce: Guarantee moisture and create a tender, soft cake crumb.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Deliver sweetness and help create a rich, caramelized flavor.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and richness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a smooth, fragrant undertone that elevates the entire dessert.
For Mix-In and Flavor Ingredients:
Carrots: Bring natural sweetness, moisture, and vibrant color to the cake.
Crushed Pineapple: Introduces tropical tang and additional moisture.
Shredded Coconut: Provides tropical texture and subtle nutty flavor.
Nuts: Optional ingredient that adds crunch and earthy depth.
Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a luxuriously smooth and tangy frosting base.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreading consistency.
Milk: Helps adjust frosting's texture for ideal spreadability.
Baking Tools for a Pineapple Cake That Pops
Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients evenly and creating a lump-free mixture.
Electric mixer: Helps cream butter and cheese, and mix batter efficiently.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient measurements.
Grater: Needed for shredding carrots into fine, uniform pieces.
9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans: Key for baking the cake.
Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly without getting soggy.
Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading frosting smoothly.
Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center for moist crumbs.
Steps for a Moist Carrot Pineapple Cake
Fire Up the Oven Transform your kitchen into a tropical baking paradise by heating the oven to 350F. Lovingly coat your baking pan with a light layer of grease and flour to prevent any sticky situations.
Mix Dry Ingredients Whisk together your flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a bowl, creating a harmonious dry blend that will give your cake its magical texture.
Blend Wet Ingredients Grab a large bowl and combine vegetable oil, applesauce, and sugars until they dance together smoothly. Add eggs one by one, whisking with passion after each addition.
Create Cake Batter Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. This is where the cake's personality starts to shine.
Introduce Tropical Friends Fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, coconut, and nuts, transforming your batter into a delightful island-inspired creation.
Bake to Perfection Pour the batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for that golden-brown glow and waiting for a clean toothpick test.
Cool and Rest Let the cake relax in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key to cake perfection.
Whip Up Frosting Beat cream cheese and butter until they're silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, creating a luscious, creamy topping that will make taste buds dance.
Frost and Decorate Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with extra coconut or nuts for a final tropical touch.
Flavor Additions for Island-Style Cake
Moisture Magic: Add extra applesauce or crushed pineapple to keep the cake incredibly moist and tender, preventing any dry texture.
Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the cake layers a day in advance and store them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to enhance flavor development and convenience.
Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Version: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and choose plant-based butter to create a completely vegan-friendly dessert.
Nut-Free Option: Omit nuts entirely or substitute with toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a similar crunch without potential allergens.
Slice and Serve Hawaiian Cake With Flair
Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair this luscious cake with fresh fruit smoothies or mimosas for a vibrant weekend gathering.
Island-Style Dessert Platter: Create a Hawaiian-themed dessert display with mango slices, passion fruit sorbet, and toasted macadamia nuts surrounding the cake.
Coffee Break Delight: Serve generous slices alongside rich Kona coffee or a creamy cappuccino for a delectable afternoon treat that transports you to tropical paradise.
Celebration Centerpiece: Use this cake as a stunning dessert for birthday parties, summer barbecues, or potluck gatherings, garnishing with edible flowers or tropical fruit wedges for extra visual appeal.
How to Store Pineapple Carrot Cake
Quick Chill Strategy: Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, professional finish.
Fridge Storage Magic: Seal the cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and flavor intensity.
Freezing Brilliance: Wrap individual cake slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, to freeze for 2-3 months without losing taste or texture.
Room Temperature Tips: Keep frosted cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, to enjoy optimal freshness and softness.
Hawaiian carrot pineapple cake blends tropical flavors with classic comfort. Spiced layers combine zesty pineapple, sweet carrots, and cream cheese frosting for a delightful dessert you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
3 large eggs
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (200 g) grated carrots
1 cup (240 g) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
½ cup (120 ml) applesauce
½ cup (50 g) shredded sweetened coconut
½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 pack (225 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsps baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
12 tbsps milk (optional, for consistency)
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking vessel by lightly greasing and flour-dusting a 9×13-inch pan or two 8-inch round cake molds.
Dry Ingredient Composition: Amalgamate flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl, setting aside for future integration.
Wet Foundation Creation: Vigorously whisk vegetable oil, applesauce, white and brown sugars until thoroughly emulsified, creating a smooth base.
Liquid Ingredient Incorporation: Introduce eggs one at a time, blending comprehensively after each addition, then infuse vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, maintaining a tender crumb structure, then gently integrate carrots, pineapple, coconut, and optional nuts.
Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, and bake until a testing probe emerges pristine – approximately 40-45 minutes for rectangular pan or 30-35 minutes for round pans.
Cooling and Resting: Allow cake to settle in baking vessel for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to reach ambient temperature.
Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually introducing powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with minimal milk if required.
Final Presentation: Generously spread cream cheese frosting across completely cooled cake, garnishing with additional coconut shreds or chopped nuts for textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements to ensure the right balance of moisture and texture in the cake.
Control Mixing Technique: Blend wet and dry ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense cake texture – just mix until ingredients are combined.
Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from crushed pineapple to prevent a soggy cake bottom and maintain ideal consistency.
Temperature Matters: Let eggs and cream cheese reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother, more evenly incorporated batter and frosting.
Oregon Culinary Institute Diploma in Culinary Arts Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods.
Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.
Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.
Emily Lawson
Content Creator & Culinary Specialist
Expertise
Education
Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods.
Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.
Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.