Pineapple Coconut God Bless America (Printable version)

Festive tropical layer cake with pineapple, coconut, and creamy cheese frosting topped with fresh berries

# What you 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 light brown sugar, packed
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 oz 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)

# How To:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of pineapple and coconut keeps every bite incredibly moist without any complicated techniques
  • That cream cheese frosting strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet, letting the fruit shine
02 -
  • Draining the pineapple thoroughly is crucial, otherwise your cake may turn out dense and gummy in spots
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together seamlessly and prevent the batter from curdling or separating
03 -
  • Rotate the cake pans halfway through baking for even rising and golden color
  • Chill the frosted cake for 15 minutes before adding the fruit decorations so they stay in place

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