Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake: A Moist, Flavor-Packed Dessert with Island Vibes
Classic carrot cake is already a fan favorite, but add sweet pineapple, shredded coconut, and a touch of island flair, and you’ve got something truly special. This Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake is rich, perfectly spiced, and impossibly moist—all wrapped in a luscious cream cheese frosting with just a hint of pineapple.
It’s a cake that brings the aloha to your dessert table—whether for a birthday, brunch, Easter, or just because. Every bite is packed with texture and flavor, from crunchy walnuts to soft grated carrots, making this a go-to treat for both tropical dessert lovers and classic cake purists.
❤️ Why I Love This Cake
- Ultra-moist texture from pineapple, oil, and carrots
- Balanced spices with cinnamon and nutmeg
- Studded with coconut and walnuts for rich texture
- Layered with creamy, tangy frosting that finishes with a tropical twist
- No complicated steps – just classic mix, pour, and bake simplicity
📝 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp pineapple juice
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line with parchment circles).
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
Set aside.
3️⃣ Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Vegetable oil
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
4️⃣ Bring It Together
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet.
Fold in:
- Grated carrots
- Crushed pineapple
- Coconut
- Walnuts
- Vanilla extract
Mix until evenly combined (don’t overmix!).
5️⃣ Bake
Divide the batter between your pans.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🎂 Make the Frosting
6️⃣ Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large bowl, beat:
- Cream cheese and butter until smooth
Add: - Powdered sugar gradually
- Then vanilla extract and pineapple juice
Beat until light, fluffy, and spreadable.
🍰 Assemble Your Cake
7️⃣ Stack & Frost
Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
Add the second layer and cover the entire cake with frosting.
Garnish with:
- Extra shredded coconut
- Chopped walnuts
- Pineapple rings or flowers (optional)
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱ Quick Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Cooling + Assembly Time: ~15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Calories: ~400 per slice
💡 Tips for Success
- Drain the pineapple well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- Grate carrots finely for better texture and even baking.
- Use room-temperature frosting ingredients for ultra-smooth mixing.
- Chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes if you want clean slices.
- Don’t overbake – check at 35 minutes to avoid drying it out.
🍽 Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This cake pairs perfectly with bright, fruity drinks or a dessert spread:
- Blueberry Lemonade – crisp, tart, and refreshing
- Grasshopper Pie – for a cool, creamy dessert contrast
- Caramel Apple Pie Cookies – sweet and chewy with fall flair
- No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie – creamy, chocolatey, and easy to prep
- Easter Cookies – for a holiday-ready dessert table
🧊 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Unfrosted layers can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.
- Make ahead: Bake the cake a day in advance and frost the next day for easier slicing.
🍴 More Recipes You’ll Love
Can’t get enough tropical or classic comfort desserts? Try these:
- Grasshopper Pie
- No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie
- Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
- Blueberry Lemonade
- The Easter Cookies Everyone Will Be Talking About
🥄 Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian Carrot Pineapple Cake brings tropical flavor and bakery-style flair to your home kitchen. It’s loaded with texture, rich with spice, and perfectly sweet from real pineapple and brown sugar. With creamy pineapple cream cheese frosting to top it off, it’s a dessert that tastes like sunshine and celebration.
Tried this cake? Tag @ChefManiacKitchen and show us your sweet slice! Follow for more tropical twists, classic bakes, and recipes that feel like a little vacation in every bite.
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