Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil/vegan butter for dairy-free)
- 3 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Decorations & Coloring
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Whipped cream or coconut-based frosting
- Optional: toasted coconut flakes, pineapple slices, fresh red and blue berries (strawberries, blueberries)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder to ensure even rising and a tender texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, creating a smooth base rich in moisture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract for aromatic flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry mixture and crushed pineapple (including juice) to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in shredded coconut gently to preserve texture.
- Color and Divide Batter: Separate batter into three bowls. Add red food coloring to one, blue to another, and leave the last plain for the white layer to create a patriotic effect.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Pour each colored batter into prepared pans or layer them to build the red, white, and blue design. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool layers completely on wire racks.
- Assemble and Frost: Once cooled, generously spread whipped cream or coconut frosting between each layer and over the cake. Decorate with extra shredded coconut, pineapple slices, or fresh berries for a festive touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for smooth mixing and proper rising.
- Drain crushed pineapple well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- Gently fold ingredients to prevent a dense or tough cake.
- Check doneness with a toothpick before removing from the oven.
- Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: pineapple cake, coconut cake, patriotic cake, tropical dessert, summer dessert, gluten-free cake, dairy-free option, easy cake recipe, Fourth of July cake, layered cake