Description
Pineapple coconut god bless america cake delivers a patriotic dessert that celebrates national pride through sweet tropical flavors. Sweet layers combine classic American baking techniques with island-inspired ingredients, creating a delightful experience for friends and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (inclusive of juice)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsps baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup pecans (coarsely chopped and toasted)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for cake creation.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and crushed pineapple with its juice until thoroughly blended.
- Gently fold in all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
- Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an consistent spread.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully cooked.
- While the cake bakes, create the icing by combining evaporated milk, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter in a large saucepan.
- Heat the mixture on high until it reaches a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for exactly 10 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in shredded coconut, toasted pecans, vanilla extract, and salt until well incorporated.
- After removing the cake from the oven, quickly pour the warm icing over the entire surface, spreading it evenly to cover completely.
- Allow the cake to cool and set for 15-20 minutes before cutting into servings, enabling the icing to solidify and enhance the cake’s flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap crushed pineapple with fresh diced pineapple for a brighter, more vibrant flavor and texture contrast in the cake.
- Toast coconut and pecans before adding to the icing to enhance their nutty, rich characteristics and develop deeper, more complex flavors.
- Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a healthier version that maintains moisture and sweetness.
- Create a gluten-free variation by replacing all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour, ensuring the cake remains tender and delicious for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 414 kcal
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 174 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg