Pineapple Coconut God Bless America (Printable)

Moist tropical layers with pineapple and coconut, crowned with cream cheese frosting and fresh berries

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup canned crushed pineapple, well drained
12 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
13 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

14 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

19 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
20 - 1 cup fresh blueberries
21 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and oil in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Fold in drained pineapple and shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
06 - Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smooth tops. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
10 - Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread generous layer of frosting. Top with second cake layer and frost top and sides.
11 - Arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries in a flag or swirl pattern. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crushed pineapple keeps every bite incredibly moist without any complicated techniques
  • Cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the tropical flavors for a dessert that feels special but not fussy
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients for both cake and frosting prevent curdling and ensure smooth texture
  • Draining pineapple thoroughly prevents the cake from becoming too dense
  • Completely cooled cake layers prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off
03 -
  • Brush the cooled cake layers with a little reserved pineapple juice before frosting for extra moisture and flavor
  • Toast the coconut garnish in a dry pan over medium heat, watching constantly as it browns quickly
  • Use an offset spatula dipped in hot water for perfectly smooth frosting

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