✨ A simple sheet cake bursting with tropical pineapple, chewy coconut, and crunchy pecans—perfect for summer gatherings and patriotic celebrations!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This
- 🍰 Ultra-moist cake: Crushed pineapple + juice keeps every bite tender.
- 🥥 No-fuss topping: Warm coconut-pecan glaze soaks in—no decorating skills needed.
- ⏲️ Fast & easy: Basic bowls, basic steps—bake in under an hour.
- 🎉 Crowd-pleaser: Feeds a crowd without extra fuss or frosting.
🛒 Ingredients
Cake Base
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (juice included)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Coconut-Pecan Topping
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups shredded coconut (lightly toasted)
- 1 cup pecans, toasted & chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
👩🍳 Preparation
- Preheat & Prep:
- Heat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13″ pan.
- Make the Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, both sugars, oil, and crushed pineapple until smooth.
- Fold in flour, baking soda, and salt just until no streaks remain.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour batter into pan and bake 25–30 min, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Mix the Topping:
- In a saucepan over medium-high, combine evaporated milk, butter, and sugar. Stir until butter melts and mixture simmers (≈10 min).
- Remove from heat; stir in coconut, pecans, vanilla, and salt.
- Finish & Serve:
- Immediately pour hot topping over hot cake, spreading evenly.
- Let cool to room temperature so glaze soaks in and sets. Slice into squares.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- 🔥 Toast nuts + coconut: Boosts flavor and crunch—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 💧 Pan temperature: A hot cake + hot glaze helps topping sink in beautifully.
- ❄️ Make ahead: Cake stores 3–5 days at room temp; freeze slices up to 3 months.
- 🌴 Flavor twist: Stir in ¼ cup chopped dried mango or white chocolate chips.
🎉 Final Thought
Serve this Pineapple Coconut Patriotic Cake at your next cookout or holiday—no frosting, no fuss, just tropical bliss in every bite! 🇺🇸🍍