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Southern Creamy Pineapple Pecan Cake – Easy & Delicious

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A beloved Southern dessert featuring moist cake soaked with sweet pineapple syrup, topped with rich cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans. This traditional poke cake combines tropical fruit flavors with crunchy nuts for the perfect special occasion dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1package white cake mix
  • Ingredients called for on cake mix (usually eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1 cupgranulated sugar
  • 1package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup(1stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cupspowdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
  • 1/2 cupchopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. For extra richness, substitute half the water with pineapple juice from the can. Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
  3. Bake for 28-32 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  4. While cake bakes, combine crushed pineapple (with juice) and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until syrup thickens slightly.
  5. Remove cake from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Using a wooden skewer or fork, poke holes every inch across the entire surface. Pour hot pineapple syrup slowly and evenly over cake, allowing it to seep into holes.
  6. Let cake cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.
  7. Beat softened cream cheese and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth. Mix in vanilla.
  8. Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake using an offset spatula. Sprinkle toasted pecans generously on top, pressing gently to adhere. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

All dairy ingredients must be at room temperature for smooth frosting
Toast pecans at 350°F for 5 minutes to enhance flavor
Hot syrup on warm (not hot) cake ensures perfect absorption
Perfect frosting ribbons off the beater for 3 seconds before disappearing
This cake actually improves overnight as flavors meld
For gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free cake mix
For dairy-free, use quality vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes
Can substitute toasted coconut flakes for pecans if nut allergies

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.delicetreats.com/southern-creamy-pineapple-pecan-cake-easy-delicious/