I discovered this cake at a summer potluck years ago, a humble 9×13 pan holding what looked like sunshine itself. Intrigued, I took a bite and was instantly transported. The top was a golden, buttery brown sugar crust, and beneath it lay the most impossibly moist, tender crumb, soaked through with the bright, tangy-sweet juice of pineapple. My kitchen, when I make it, fills with the tropical, caramelized scent of baking pineapple and brown sugar—it’s the smell of pure, uncomplicated joy. This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a one-way ticket to a breezier, brighter state of mind.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because it delivers a shockingly moist, flavorful cake with minimal effort and maximum reward. It’s the perfect bridge between a cozy, old-fashioned dessert and a taste of the tropics. From my many times baking it, I can tell you its magic lies in the juicy surprise—it’s delightfully unassuming on the outside but holds a secret well of pineapple sweetness inside that makes every single forkful irresistible. It’s a crowd-pleaser that asks for so little but gives back so much.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple in 100% juice (DO NOT DRAIN)
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
Let’s talk about the heart of this cake: the pineapple. You must use crushed pineapple in its own juice, not syrup, and you absolutely must NOT drain it. The juice is what creates the “heavenly” moist texture. I tried draining it once, thinking it would be too wet, and the cake was dry and disappointing. The brown sugar and butter topping is non-negotiable—it forms that crackly, caramel-like crust. Use light brown sugar for the best flavor. And please, use real butter; margarine just won’t give you the same rich, toasty finish.(See the next page below to continue…)