🌴 Hawaiian Cake Recipe (The One My 6-Year-Old Begs For Again and Again!)
“Mom, can you make the Hawaii cake again?”
When your 6-year-old specifically asks for a cake by name, you know it’s something special. This Hawaiian Cake has officially earned legend status in our house — and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
This cake is sweet, moist, tropical, and incredibly easy, with flavors of pineapple, coconut, and vanilla soaked into every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast, gets requested at every family gathering, and somehow tastes even better the next day.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, potluck, summer party, or just because — this Hawaiian Cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
🌺 Why This Hawaiian Cake Is So Loved
Ultra moist pineapple cake
Sweet coconut frosting that melts into the cake
No mixer required
Perfect for beginners
Feeds a crowd
Tastes like a tropical vacation 🍍🥥
Even picky eaters love it — and yes, kids ask for seconds.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple with juice
For the Topping:
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans (optional but recommended)
For the Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍰 How to Make Hawaiian Cake (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, vanilla, and entire can of crushed pineapple (juice included). Stir until just combined — no overmixing.
2️⃣ Bake
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
3️⃣ Add Coconut & Pecans
As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, sprinkle evenly with shredded coconut and pecans.
4️⃣ Make the Frosting
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
5️⃣ Pour & Soak
Immediately pour the hot frosting over the hot cake. Watch it soak in — this is what makes the cake unbelievably moist.
🥥 Tips for the BEST Hawaiian Cake
Use pineapple in juice, not syrup
Pour frosting while cake is still hot
Let cake rest at least 1 hour before serving
Tastes even better chilled the next day
Skip nuts if serving to kids — still amazing
🎉 When to Serve This Cake
Birthday parties
Family gatherings
Potlucks & bake sales
Summer BBQs
Holidays
Anytime your kids say, “Can you make that cake again?”
💬 Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian Cake isn’t just dessert — it’s a family favorite, a memory-maker, and the kind of recipe that gets passed down. When even a 6-year-old recognizes it as “next-level,” you know it’s a keeper.
Make it once… and don’t be surprised when it becomes the most requested cake in your house 🌴🍰
👉 If you love easy, crowd-pleasing desserts, save this recipe and share it — someone you know needs this cake!