Pineapple Coconut America Cake (Printer-friendly)

Moist tropical layers with pineapple and coconut, topped with creamy frosting and fresh berries in patriotic colors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Components

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup canned crushed pineapple, well drained
12 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
13 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

14 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
15 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

19 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
20 - 1 cup fresh blueberries
21 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and oil in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Fold in drained crushed pineapple and shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
06 - Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting. Top with second cake layer and frost the top and sides.
11 - Arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries in a patriotic flag or swirl pattern. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of tropical flavors feels like sunshine even if youre celebrating in the middle of winter
  • That cream cheese frosting is thick tangy and absolutely perfect for holding those fresh berries in place
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable here because cold butter or eggs will cause the batter to curdle and create a dense texture
  • Letting the cakes cool completely before frosting prevents the cream cheese from melting and sliding off the sides
03 -
  • If you want even more pineapple flavor brush the cooled cake layers with some of the reserved juice before frosting
  • Cream cheese frosting softens quickly in warm weather so keep the cake chilled until right before serving

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