One of the comments that I got was from Cheryl Griffis. She asked if I had ever swapped the orange juice out for pineapple juice. “GENIUS,” I thought. So I got in the kitchen and set out to do just that.
I made a few tweaks to capitalize on all that delicious pineapple flavor and boy did it turn out amazing!! I think this one might even edge out the orange juice version, but I’ve always been a huge pineapple fan.
The super moist cake is infused with pineapple flavor in the batter and the butter-pineapple glaze that it gets soaked in amps that pineapple flavor up even more!
I took these photos and may have eaten 2 slices… okay, 3. If you’re a fan of the orange juice version and love pineapple, I bet you’re going to devours this. Seriously. Y’all enjoy!
Pineapple Juice Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow or butter cake mix* (I prefer Betty Crocker or Pillsbury)
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 4 large eggs
For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease and flour a 10 to 12-cup Bundt pan.
- Use an electric mixer to combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, pineapple juice, and eggs in a large bowl. Beat about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is just starting to pull away from the sides. Allow the cake to start to cool in the pan while you make the glaze.
- In a small sauce pan, combine the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until the butter has melted, stirring frequently.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to poke holes in the cake. Pour the warm glaze over the cake while it is still in the cake pan. It's going to seem like a lot of glaze, but just keep pouring. Allow to cool for 15 to 20 more minutes, or until the cake is cool and most of the glaze has been absorbed, then invert the cake onto a serving platter.
Notes
I added this recipe to Weekend Potluck!
No pudding in this one?
Not on this one. I think it covers up the pineapple flavor.
Stacey I just stumbled across your recipe on Facebook and I’m definitely hooked. I will making this Pineapple cake for our son’s birthday next month. I’m sure it would make good cupcakes for the kiddos too. Thanks for sharing.
I hope it turns out GREAT for you!!
Is there a reason you use unsalted butter instead of salted?
For me, unsalted butter is the only way to control the salt content as many brands have varying amounts of salt in their salted butter. That said, salted will work.
I really don’t like pineapple in chunks, slices, or crushed even,but have always loved pineapple juice! (Maybe it’s a texture thing?) Anyway, this cake sounds out of this world! I definitely must try it….thanks for sharing!
This is perfect for you, then! I sure hope you’ll enjoy it!!
Can this be made in a different size pan?
I’ve only ever made it in a Bundt pan, but as with most cake mix cakes, it will fit into a 9×13 without any problem. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
You can bake in a tube pan large enough to hold batter. That’s what I have used for years . I have also used Lemon Jello when I made the lemon version and was out of the instant pudding. This cake has always brought rave reviews. Do they make Pineapple Jello?
Yes they make pineapple jello.
I made this cake and it is absolutely delicious!! I am going to try the Orange One now. I can’t wait!!!!
So glad it turned out great for you!!
🙂
Yes I buy pineapple Jello all the time. Try Walmart or most any large grocery chain.
I always buy my pineapple Jello at Walmart. I’ve only found the small box. I don’t know whether it’s packaged in the 6-ounce size box.
We’ve made the lemon cake with lemon jello for years. A real favorite around here. Just took this pineapple cake out of the oven for a picnic today and just now noticed the don’t use Duncan Hines😩 I did. My favorite brand. We shall see how it turns out…
Do you use sweetened or unsweetened pineapple juice?
I used Dole 100% pineapple juice.
I used crushed…..pressed juice out…hard….just right amount juice for cake and glaze….used 1/2 crushed pineapple in cake…other in glazePERFECT,
Thanks for letting us know what worked for you! So glad you enjoyed it!!
I wondered how apple juice would taste instead
I was thinking the same thing…possibly apple cider!
I just thought I should tell you, Stacey, that I blame my inability to lose weight on you! Every time I think I might be able to make the numbers on my scale go down, you showcase an absolutely yummy dessert and my (almost non-existent) will power disappears! 🙂 Seriously, this sounds sooo good! I think I need to make it and take it to some kind of social gathering so I don’t eat it all!
Ha! I’m so sorry to be such a bad influence! 🙂
Beverly and Stacey… you two cracked me up with your comments! Beverly, my willpower is totally nonexistent too 😬 I don’t live to eat, I simply enjoy food 😋 IMO, it’s not an addiction… if I had to be kept alive by some other means, then I guess I would adjust in time. So while I’m on this 🌎 I continue to enjoy the foods that heighten my tastebuds and make me rub my tummy with delight!
Michelle
I couldn’t agree more, Michelle! 🙂
I think if you made it in a sheet pan it would be good with a cool whip icing. I might have to give it a try. My mother-in-law used to make the orange juice one.
Sounds great!!
This is a keeper….and I’m baking one, soon.
Hope it turns out great for you!
I did the Pineapple cake. It was Great. Tried the Orange Juice today & never again. It is awful &
I will not try it again
Why do you think you didn’t like the orange version?
I use Pineapple cake mix…it gives it even more pineapple flavor!
Great idea! I’ve not seen that around me lately.
Read this recipe, made it using DH Butter Cake mix. Only adjustment was I baked it 40 minutes. Batter was very thin but baked well. Cake was very light and delicious.
Glad you enjoyed it!
How would you convert a scratch cake recipe to make this? Box cakes have way too many chemicals.
I wouldn’t recommend it.
You wouldn’t recommend it because?
Most homemade cake mixes call for milk and require the dairy as part of the chemistry makeup. Replacing the milk with juice would cause a change in texture and possibly even lift. Most boxed cake mixes have some form of powdered dairy in them and therefore only call for water. Replacing the water with juice won’t affect the end product or texture.
Try adding powered mile to the dry ingredients first then add the juice. This is a very old bakers trick. It has always worked for me.
Thanks for the tip!
I found a really good on on Epicurious. I’v e been making and apple cake for years that uses oil, also carrot cake. Can’t wait to try the epicurious home made version. Don’t like chemicals.
Will a 20 ounce can of pineapple yield enough juice to make this or do I need to buy a can of pineapple juice?
Probably not. I just used a can of juice.
I hadn’t read all the comments, and I bought a plastic jug of Libby’s unsweetened pineapple juice for the cake. I don’t like the canned kind because it always tastes like metal to me. Anyway, the cake turned out beautifully, but was extremely sweet.
I’m glad they cake turned out great for you, Nora!
i was looking for a way to sugar free this cake, it sounds delious but being diabetic, i have to SF everything. i already use Pillsbury SF yellow cake mix which is really good. did not now they made SF pinapple juice. i will look for it. i have found the 1/2 & 1/2 conf. sugar, which is also pretty good.
thanks.
diana
I just made this cake, I did not have pineapple juice so pulsed a can of chunks in own juice, it turned out great!
I made the orange cake a while ago and did not have enough confectioners sugar so halved the glaze, cake was delicious.
I think personally I prefer less glaze, but either way this is a wonderful recipe!
Thank you!
Awesome! I’m so glad it turned out great for you! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know.
I would like the orange cake recipe that was included. Thank you.
https://southernbite.com/orange-juice-cake/
My church youth group has a big bake sale the day before Easter and I think this will be one of the cakes I take for it. Looks absolutely DELICIOUS!! When I make Pineapple Upside Cake I always use pineapple juice instead of the water called for in the recipe. This looks so much better than that. b I’ll have to find the one make with orange juice since I apparently missed it when it was posted. THANK YOU!!
i made this today when i turned the cake over it fell…..seems like a lot of sauce it is good but its more like a pudding … im gonna try again and use less than 3/4 cup of juice in the sauce …
If the cake fell like that, it probably wasn’t cooked through.
I’ve had quite a few comments about cakes falling or not rising enough. After doing some research, I came across lots of folks who are having trouble with Duncan Hines cakes mixes since a suspected formula change in 2017. I might suggest opting for another brand, just in case.
After much testing, I did confirm that the Duncan Hines cake mixes do not work with this recipe. However, I had great success with both Betty Crocker and Pillsbury mixes.
Yes they do sell 🍍 pineapple jello i got it from Meijer.
I’ve done a similar thing with lemon cake mix and lemon glaze in a 9×13 pan. Always a family favorite.
Yum!
I am definitely going to make this! I liked the fact there is no pudding mix in it I try to use as few packaged ingredients as possible! I won’t do a recipe that has putting mix in it!
Made this cake a few weeks ago & it was so good that my husband forbid me from making it again because he ate almost the whole cake 😜 Wonderful recipe!!!
Ha! So glad it was a hit!!
Turned out perfect! I’m making another right now. Didn’t have pineapple juice so I used apple juice. We’ll see how it turns out.
Yum! So glad it turned out great for you!!
I think when I make this, I will add coconut flavoring to it. I make pancakes with coconut flavoring in them and a slice of pineapple in the middle. They are wonderful.
Yum!
I just made this cake and it is A-MAZING! It is so good that I don’t think I can trust myself to be alone with it—luckily I have two teenagers that will devour it before I can do too much damage! Thank you Stacey for another winner!
Ha! So glad it turned out great and that y’all enjoyed it!!
Do you think you could use simply lemonade and make a lemon cake?
It’s probably worth a try.
Can I use margarine or will it mess up the cake?
I think it should work.
Making it today!
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Stacy, a great recipe I baked it. It was so moist and it was devoured. Thanks so much!
Awesome! I’m so glad it turned out great for you!
My niece made this for Easter dinner. It is yummy. has a very distinctive taste and “form.” Almost reminded me of cheese cake!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Just made it….smells amazing and the crumbs taste awesome. But it did stick to the pan after cooling for 20 minutes and glipping it over. Ugh. I greased it very well. Next time maybe grease it even more???? Seemed cooked well enough with tan edges.
Maybe try flipping it a little sooner.
Can you explain to this novice baker why the glaze is put on the bottom of the cake rather than drizzled on top to run down the sides?
This is really more of a soak than a glaze, but calling it a soak might confuse some folks.
I made this cake today and it did not rise in the middle, it was like the very middle was not done, but it was, it had a shiny look to it. The outside was fine and the taste is good. It came out of the pan perfect and looks like a bundt cake should, after it was turned over. Your thoughts. Thanks, Linda
Mine did the same thing- it rose all around the sides but not in the middle. It was done however and tasted great but definitely not the way it was supposed to look. It also stuck to the pan. I noticed a few others said theirs fell as well. What can we do to avoid that happening again?
Do y’all mind sharing with my what cake mix brand you used?
I just put this in the oven, except I used pineapple chunks in the bottom of the pan and pineapple cake mix. Will update how it turns out.
Sounds great!! Let us know!
I’m working to figure this out, Linda, as I’ve had a few folks mention this same issue. I’ve made this cake 5 or 6 times in the last month and haven’t been able to recreate the problem. Do you mind telling me what brand of cake mix you used?
I’ve had quite a few comments about cakes falling or not rising enough. After doing some research, I came across lots of folks who are having trouble with Duncan Hines cakes mixes since a suspected formula change in 2017. I might suggest opting for another brand, just in case.
After much testing, I did confirm that the Duncan Hines cake mixes do not work with this recipe. However, I had great success with both Betty Crocker and Pillsbury mixes.
I was in tears when I saw this. My late aunt used to make a cake almost identical to this. It’s what she was known for in our small town. I never got the rececipe from her before she got Alzheimer’s. I remember her cooking her sauce on the stove and being in awe of her pouring it over a hot cake. We loved when she made us one. She always made hers upside down with pinnapple slices and cherries. Oh sweet memories❤️ Thanks for sharing.
I just love that this brought back some sweet memories for you!
Can you freeze this cake
I’ve not tried freezing it.
Thank you for the warning about it seeming like a lot of glaze. If I hadn’t read that up front, I would have been saying “OMG what have I done?” HA! Thanks for posting this. So simple and yet so delicious. I am sure the fam will be begging for this one again and again.
Ha! So glad y’all enjoyed it! It’s certainly one of our favs!
Mine fell while baking.
Cynthia, Do you mind sharing with me what brand cake mix you used?
I’ve had quite a few comments about cakes falling or not rising enough. After doing some research, I came across lots of folks who are having trouble with Duncan Hines cakes mixes since a suspected formula change in 2017. I might suggest opting for another brand, just in case.
After much testing, I did confirm that the Duncan Hines cake mixes do not work with this recipe. However, I had great success with both Betty Crocker and Pillsbury mixes.
I made this cake today and it didn’t seem like it rose in the center. What did I do wrong. Then after pouring the glaze on it the cake became very mushy not good at all.
What brand cake mix did you use?
Mine did the exact same thing. And it smelled so good while baking. I am an experience d baker and have never had this to happen. The cake didn’t rise like all my other cake mix recipe cakes always do. Also, I went to invert onto a plate and all the extra juice ran all over the counter. I had to drain the excess juice and move onto a clean plate. Yuck. Yes, I poked holes while it was still warm. I cut into the cake after it cooled and it is way too wet!!! I was so hungry for a pineapple flavored cake! 🙁
Hey Debbie! What brand cake mix did you use?
I’ve had quite a few comments about cakes falling or not rising enough. After doing some research, I came across lots of folks who are having trouble with Duncan Hines cakes mixes since a suspected formula change in 2017. I might suggest opting for another brand, just in case.
After much testing, I did confirm that the Duncan Hines cake mixes do not work with this recipe. However, I had great success with both Betty Crocker and Pillsbury mixes.
I meant rise in the center
I’ve had quite a few comments about cakes falling or not rising enough. After doing some research, I came across lots of folks who are having trouble with Duncan Hines cakes mixes since a suspected formula change in 2017. I might suggest opting for another brand, just in case.
After much testing, I did confirm that the Duncan Hines cake mixes do not work with this recipe. However, I had great success with both Betty Crocker and Pillsbury mixes.
Have you tried putting pineapple in food processor and making the icing with that ?
I haven’t tried that.
Do you think it will change the flavor if i use a white cake mix? thats all I have
It shouldn’t change it too much.
My wife made this for me yesterday after I sent her the link from facebook…I had a piece while it was still warm with some dark roast coffee. Seriously, its my favorite cake now.
So glad to hear that, Rob! Now I’m wanting some too!
can a can of pineapple be used in cake and the glaze?
I’ve not tried that.
Should leftovers be stored in the refrigerator?
If you’re keeping them longer than a day or so, yes.
Can I use regular margarine instead of unsalted butter
You can.
My granddaughter & I made this cake a few days ago. We couldn’t wait to taste it, but to be honest we really didn’t care for it. Maybe it would’ve been better if crushed pineapple was added to the batter, & maybe less butter in the glaze.
I made this a couple of weeks ago. It was very good, and very moist, but not as much pineapple flavor as I thought it would have. I followed the recipe exactly. I was wondering also if adding crushed pineapple to the batter would work. Or maybe a little bit of pineapple extract, I guess there is pineapple extract available. What do you think?
I made this cake today and it didn’t rise and THEN I saw the notes where it said a Duncan Heines cake mix doesn’t work. Went to the store and bought a Pillsbury cake mix and started over. My glaze seemed to look like pure liquid instead of a glaze. I melted the butter first in the microwave and added it to the rest of the ingredients and warmed it up on the stovetop. Is it supposed to be of a liquid consistency instead of a glaze???
It’s still cooling so I haven’t tried it yet.
Yes, it’s really more of a soak than a glaze – think of it like a rum cake soak.
Hi!
Can this be frosted over with buttercream frosting? It’s for a 6 year old’s birthday, so she cares about the way the cake looks. I care about how it tastes and this looks delicious!
Oh, and also in two layers with a pineapple filling in between?
Thanks, Lashonda! Unfortunately, I’m not sure this one will hold up to frosting very well. It’s super moist and I’m afraid the frosting will just drip right off.
Use pineapple cake mix for even more flavor!
does this cake have to be made in a bundt pan or can i make it in 13×9 pan
I’ve only ever done it in a Bundt, but you’re welcome to try it. Theoretically, it should work.
Stacey… is vegetable oil a must? I always use canola for baking, and EVOO for cooking. I will buy vegetable if you feel it’s best for this recipe. Thank you!
Michelle
Canola oil will work just fine. 🙂
Thank you!
I have one in the oven right now. I made some additions and once it’s baked I will get back to you and let you know, but I am baking at 350 as I do all my Bundt recipes.
Sounds good! Let me know how it turns out!
I, too, was wondering about using crushed pineapple in the cake batter – maybe instead of the pineapple juice? Or maybe 3/4 C crushed pineapple and 1/4 C juice to ensure enough liquid? Has anybody tried it?
I just made this cake. DUNCAN HINES with this recipe WILL NOT MAKE YOUR CAKE RISE. Maybe if instant pudding mix added will be better. I REPEAT. Do not use DUNCAN HINES
I made this cake with BETTY CROCKER cake and it did not rise either….smelled great….huge disappointment when opening the oven :(.
Very strange. I’ve not had anyone report having trouble with Betty Crocker.
If Duncan heins isn’t suggested then it needs to be during the ingredient list because most people won’t read the suggestions lower to the list until later. It’s very frustrating to have bought all the ingredients and wrong boxed cake.
I’ve always been taught to read the entire recipe before doing anything. I’m sorry you ended up with the wrong thing.
I made this Pineapple Juice Cake and thought I would give part of it to a couple who live by us. Wrong! We were pigs and ate it all ourselves! The cake is very moist, has a delicate pineapple flavor, does not have fattening cream cheese or whipped cream. It is wonderfully delicious!
Awesome! I’m So glad y’all enjoyed it, Virginia! You’ll just have to make another one for the neighbors. 🙂
Hi Stacey,
I just wanted to say I made this pineapple bundt cake. I found that there was an excess of the pineapple glaze that wasn’t absorbed by the cake. It accumulated in the center hole area of the bundt cake. Not knowing, I used it all as this was my first time making. I personally found it to be too sweet for me, and chose to give it away. I followed the recipe to a T’. I’m going to give it another try, but I plan on cutting the glaze mount in half. I love pineapple and it’s flavor, so I’m hoping less will be more palatable for me. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Michelle
Hey Michelle! Thanks so much for your kind response. I say “kind” because I get so many folks who lash out when things don’t turn out perfectly, not realizing that with each recipe there are so many moving parts. That said, this does make a very moist cake. But I love the fact that you’re willing to give it another try and adjust it to suit your taste. Hope you love the next one!
Do you think I could make this as cupcakes and make a dreamwhip frosting to be piped on top?
I’m not sure it would hold up well as cupcakes.
COULD you use white cake mix?
Sure. I don’t think that would be problem.
I just made it and is a total disaster something is wrong with the recipe
I can assure you there is nothing wrong with the recipe. Tell me more about what happened. Let’s see what we can figure out.
What if I added a spot of Captain Morgan with the pineapple juice?
I think that’s a pretty solid idea! 🙂
I made this a few weeks ago when my husband saw the recipe on fb. We really enjoyed it and I’ve made it several more times for family, friends and church homecoming. It was super easy and very tasty!
Love hearing that! So glad y’all have enjoyed it!!
So I baked this the other day and I must say the weirdest thing happened to me. The cake turned out perfectly (thank you for the warning about the glaze. I definitely would have thought I screwed up if you hadn’t mentioned it). Now everybody in my family loved the cake. But here’s the weird thing, I didn’t like the pineapple flavor, yet I COULD NOT STOP EATING the cake!!! The texture is SOOO GOOD! I have to make a vanilla/butter version. 😂😂 I’m guessing I can just sub milk for the juice in the cake but what would you suggest I sub for the juice in the glaze? Any suggestions? Thanks again for such a good recipe. I’m glad I found your blog!
I’m loving this comment so much!! Honestly, you could possibly use water and it make it a syrup, but milk might work in the glaze too – you’d just want to refrigerate it. If you try it, be sure to come back and let me know how it turned out!
Hello! Thank you for the recipe! The only change I made to this recipe was half the glaze and it was perfect for my taste! I took it to a potluck and I kid you not it was gone within 5 minutes and the 10 other dessert options next to it were ignored. People loved it so much! I can’t wait to try the orange one I read about. My mom has been trying to make a moist orange cake for soooo Long and thanks to you she will be able to finally make it! Also I want to mention I used yellow cake mix from Pillsbury as recommended (I learned the hard way once to read the whole recipe before buying ingredients and cooking). I had no problems with this recipe. The cake was perfectly moist, not too sweet and had a great pineapple flavor. Maybe I’ll try adding in pineapple chunks next time. Thanks you again for the great recipe!!
Love hearing that everyone enjoyed it so much! Thanks, Claudia!!
This cake was amazing. I even added crushed pineapple (completely drained) to the cake batter for more texture and pineapple flavor. Turned out great!
The cake is good, very moist. Thinking it was a bit “eggy” thinking will cut back to 3 eggs next time so not so dense in the middle. Thx for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Love it! So glad it turned out great for you!
I am a Duncan Hines gal and did not realize your “note” until now.
I used Duncan Hines butter and also canola oil (didn’t have enough vegetable) and my cake came out awful. I was wondering if the temp had anything to do with it. It seemed like it wasn’t rising so I turned it up to 350. I had to throw it away.
I have made the lemon cake and my family loves it. I will retry and use pineapple jello.
I’ve always been Duncan Hines fan, it’s just that the butter cake mix doesn’t work in this recipe, unfortunately. And I wish I could understand why.
Hi. Pineapple is my favorite fruit! I can’t wait to try this cake! But can I substitute melted butter or anything else for the OIL?? Please help!
You can.
I did not bake the pineapple cake yet I’m going to. I’m gathering information. I am going to make the glaze while the cake is baking in the oven. Since my glaze will be ready before the cake, I need to know how long do I wait “After removing the cake from the oven” before pouring the glaze on the cake in the pan?
10 to 15 minutes.
Next pineapple upside cake I make, I am going to use this glaze before flipping the cake. I love the pineapple upside cake but my cake always seems dry. Been trying to find a way to make the cake moist and it sounds like this will be perfect.
Great idea!
I’m very new to baking so this may seem like a silly question. How far do I make the holes into the cake? All the way through? Half way through? And just a few holes? A lot of holes? 😆 Thank you for helping!
No worries! I would do them about halfway through. Enjoy!
Making it right now for my sisters birthday. I haven’t baked in awhile but couldn’t resist this recipe. I’m wondering about some how incorporatin.someactual crushed pinapple in the glaze. Not real experienced so not sure if or how this can be done.
Be sure to check out the comment from Jackie on this thread about that.
Hi,
Just made this for the first time. I used a bundt pan with a white coating on the inside. I’m not sure if it is a nonstick or not. Well, I sprayed and floured as the directions say and it stuck. The cake is super moist and tastes great but not the prettiest since it was hard to get out of the pan. Suggestions?
Thanks!
I’m not a huge fan of that particular type of pan for this very reason. I nearly always have cakes stick in those.
Hi Stacey, what can I substitute cake mix with. I live in a country where we don’t have this particular brand isn’t available. Unfortunately the other available cake mixes don’t taste good in cakes I don’t know why.
I would like to make this cake like yesterday….lol.
Patriciah
This is the homemade cake mix recipe I normally recommend, but I’ve not tested it with this particular recipe.
I made this tonight but substituted guava syrup for the pineapple juice. Cake is delicious!! I halved the glaze recipe but still found it very sweet, maybe because the syrup already has sugar. Maybe next time, I’ll just add syrup to the butter and omit the powdered sugar?
Actually, update. The only part that was really sweet was where I had cut a slice of the unglazed cake to taste and the glaze pooled in that open space (I used a 9 inch round cake pan). Went back to it and simply cut away from that part and it is so moist, delicious and perfect. I had planned to share but it’s not looking that there will be enough! My mom and I are having a slice each for breakfast lol. Will DEFINITELY make this again and will continue to half the glaze recipe. It’s the perfect amount for me. Thank you!
So glad it turned out great for you, KC!
Has anyone added rum to this recipe? Or coconut rum? Any suggestions on how to add it? Would like to make a pina colada version
Sounds like a delicious addition. I think I’d add it to the soak/glaze.