✔ Updated · 40 pineapple desserts: cakes, pies, no-bake, frozen and grilled
These 40 easy pineapple desserts cover everything from upside-down cake and hummingbird cake to no-bake fluff, Dole Whip and grilled pineapple. Most use a can of pineapple and a handful of pantry staples, so you can make one tonight.
The best pineapple desserts are pineapple upside-down cake, hummingbird cake, pineapple dump cake, two-ingredient pineapple angel food cake, pineapple fluff, Pineapple Delight, pina colada pie, a copycat Dole Whip and grilled pineapple with ice cream. Canned crushed pineapple works in most of them, and fresh pineapple shines grilled, baked or in fruit salad.
- Easiest: pineapple fluff, angel food cake with pineapple and dump cake.
- No-bake: Pineapple Delight, Watergate salad, ambrosia and pina colada pie.
- Fresh pineapple: grilled pineapple, sorbet and chocolate-dipped spears.
Pineapple Cakes
Pineapple keeps cakes ridiculously moist. My one rule: drain crushed pineapple well unless the recipe uses the juice, or your batter turns soggy. Ask me how I know.
1. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Buttery brown-sugar caramel, pineapple rings and cherries baked under a tender vanilla cake, then flipped. The classic for a reason.
How: Melt butter and brown sugar in a 9-inch pan, lay in pineapple rings and cherries, pour over vanilla cake batter and bake at 350°F about 40 minutes. Flip after 5 minutes.
2. Hummingbird Cake
A Southern layer cake packed with crushed pineapple, ripe banana and pecans under cream cheese frosting.
How: Fold crushed pineapple, mashed banana and chopped pecans into a spiced oil cake batter, bake in layers and frost with cream cheese frosting.
3. Pineapple Cupcakes
Soft vanilla cupcakes with crushed pineapple in the batter and a fluffy pineapple buttercream.
How: Stir drained crushed pineapple into vanilla cupcake batter, bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes and pipe on buttercream with a spoonful of pineapple juice.
4. Pineapple Dump Cake
Crushed pineapple, dry cake mix and butter, baked into a bubbly, crumbly cobbler-cake. Five minutes of work.
How: Spread a can of crushed pineapple with juice in a 9×13 pan, sprinkle a box of yellow cake mix on top, cover with sliced butter and bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes.
5. Pineapple Angel Food Cake
The famous two-ingredient cake: angel food cake mix plus a can of crushed pineapple. Light, airy and fruity.
How: Stir a box of angel food cake mix with a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple (juice and all), pour into a 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.
6. Pineapple Carrot Cake
Crushed pineapple makes carrot cake extra moist and a little tangy. Cream cheese frosting, obviously.
How: Add 1 cup drained crushed pineapple to your carrot cake batter along with the grated carrots, then bake and frost as usual.
7. Pineapple Bundt Cake
A tender pineapple-studded bundt with a sweet pineapple glaze that soaks into the crumb.
How: Fold drained crushed pineapple into a pound cake batter, bake in a greased bundt pan, then spoon over a glaze of powdered sugar and pineapple juice while warm.
8. Pineapple Coconut Cake
Tropical layers of coconut cake, pineapple filling and toasted coconut. Tastes like vacation.
How: Spread a cooked crushed-pineapple filling between coconut cake layers, frost with whipped cream cheese frosting and press toasted coconut on the sides.
9. Pineapple Sheet Cake
A big, easy sheet cake with pineapple in the batter and cream cheese frosting, built for potlucks.
How: Mix a sheet cake batter with a can of crushed pineapple and its juice, bake in a 9×13 or half sheet pan and frost with cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans.
10. Punch Bowl Cake
Layers of cake cubes, vanilla pudding, pineapple, cherry pie filling and whipped cream in a big glass bowl.
How: Layer cubed yellow cake, vanilla pudding, crushed pineapple, cherry pie filling and whipped topping twice in a trifle bowl. Chill 4 hours.
Pineapple Pies, Bars and Cookies
Sliceable, packable and very good with coffee.
11. Pina Colada Pie
A no-bake coconut cream and pineapple pie in a graham crust, with a little toasted coconut on top.
How: Beat cream cheese with coconut cream and drained crushed pineapple, fold in whipped cream, spread into a graham crust and chill until set.
12. No-Bake Pineapple Cream Pie
Creamy, tangy and cool: pineapple, sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a graham crust.
How: Whisk sweetened condensed milk with lemon juice until it thickens, fold in drained crushed pineapple and whipped topping, then chill in a graham crust 4 hours.
13. Pineapple Coconut Bars
Shortbread base, pineapple filling and a chewy coconut topping. Easy to slice and pack.
How: Press shortbread dough into a pan and bake, spread with crushed pineapple cooked with sugar and cornstarch, top with sweetened coconut mixed with egg, then bake until golden.
14. Pineapple Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake with a glossy pineapple topping. Canned pineapple works best here.
How: Bake your favorite cheesecake, chill overnight, then spoon over crushed pineapple simmered with sugar and a little cornstarch until thick.
15. Pineapple Crisp
Warm, juicy pineapple under a buttery oat crumble. Best with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How: Toss pineapple chunks with brown sugar and a spoon of flour, top with an oat, flour, butter and brown sugar crumble and bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes.
16. Pineapple Tarts
Buttery little pastries filled with thick, sticky pineapple jam, popular for Lunar New Year in Malaysia and Singapore.
How: Cook grated pineapple with sugar and a cinnamon stick until it becomes a thick jam, roll into balls, wrap in buttery pastry and bake at 350°F until lightly golden.
17. Pineapple Oatmeal Cookies
Chewy oatmeal cookies with bits of pineapple and coconut. Way more exciting than plain oatmeal.
How: Add 1 cup well-drained crushed pineapple and 1/2 cup coconut to oatmeal cookie dough, with an extra 2 tbsp flour. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes.
18. Pineapple Cobbler
Juicy pineapple bubbling under a golden, cakey cobbler crust.
How: Pour a simple butter batter into a dish with melted butter, spoon pineapple chunks and juice on top and bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes.
No-Bake and Creamy Pineapple Desserts
These are my lazy-summer heroes. Most need a few hours in the fridge, so make them the night before a cookout.
19. Pineapple Delight
A retro layered dessert: buttery crust, sweet cream cheese layer, pineapple and whipped cream.
How: Press a graham or vanilla wafer crust into a pan, spread with sweetened cream cheese, then drained crushed pineapple and whipped topping. Chill overnight.
20. Pineapple Dream
Like Pineapple Delight but with a fluffy cream filling and a crunchy buttery crumb crust.
How: Layer a graham crumb crust with a filling of whipped cream, cream cheese, sugar and crushed pineapple. Chill at least 6 hours and slice cold.
21. Watergate Salad
Pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, marshmallows and whipped topping. Fluffy, green and so nostalgic.
Get the recipe →
22. Ambrosia Salad
Pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut and marshmallows folded into a creamy dressing. A holiday table must.
Get the recipe →23. Pineapple Fluff
Three ingredients, five minutes: crushed pineapple, instant vanilla pudding and whipped topping.
How: Stir a box of instant vanilla pudding mix into a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple with its juice, fold in 8 oz whipped topping and chill 1 hour.
24. Pineapple Pudding
A silky baked pineapple custard with a caramel top, close cousin to flan.
How: Blend pineapple juice, sweetened condensed milk and eggs, pour into a caramel-lined pan and bake in a water bath at 325°F until just set. Chill overnight.
25. Pineapple Bread Pudding
Day-old bread soaked in custard with pineapple tucked in, baked until puffed and golden.
How: Toss cubed stale bread with crushed pineapple, pour over eggs, milk, sugar and melted butter, soak 20 minutes and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
26. Pineapple Fruit Salad
Fresh pineapple with berries, grapes and mint, served right in the pineapple shell if you are feeling fancy.
How: Hollow out a halved pineapple, dice the fruit and mix with berries, grapes, a squeeze of lime and torn mint. Spoon back into the shell.
27. Southern Pineapple Casserole
Sweet pineapple, sharp cheddar and a buttery cracker topping. A side and a dessert at the same time, and yes, it works.
How: Mix drained pineapple chunks with sugar, flour and shredded cheddar, top with crushed buttery crackers and melted butter, and bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Frozen Pineapple Treats
Freeze leftover pineapple chunks on a tray, then bag them. They turn into sorbet or soft serve in two minutes in a blender.
28. Dole Whip (Copycat)
The theme-park favorite at home: frozen pineapple blended into a soft, tangy pineapple whip.
Get the recipe →
29. Pineapple Coconut Popsicles
Pina colada on a stick, minus the rum. Kids love them.
How: Blend pineapple chunks with coconut milk and a little honey, pour into molds and freeze at least 6 hours.
30. Pineapple Sorbet
Just frozen pineapple, a little lime and a touch of sugar, blended smooth. Dairy-free and so bright.
How: Blend 4 cups frozen pineapple chunks with 2 tbsp lime juice and 2 to 3 tbsp sugar or honey until smooth. Serve soft or freeze 1 hour to firm up.
31. No-Churn Pina Colada Ice Cream
Creamy coconut ice cream swirled with pineapple, no machine needed.
How: Whip 2 cups heavy cream, fold in a can of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup cream of coconut and 1 cup drained crushed pineapple. Freeze 6 hours.
32. Grilled Pineapple With Ice Cream
Hot caramelized pineapple, cold vanilla ice cream and toasted nuts. Simple and perfect.
How: Grill pineapple spears until charred, top with vanilla ice cream, toasted coconut or chopped nuts and a drizzle of honey.
Grilled, Baked and Fried Pineapple
Heat caramelizes pineapple's natural sugar, and it smells incredible. Use fresh pineapple here; canned rings are too soft to grill.
33. Grilled Pineapple
Brown sugar and cinnamon caramelize on hot grates for smoky, juicy wedges.
How: Brush pineapple spears with melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and grill over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes per side.
34. Brown Sugar Baked Pineapple
Pineapple slices baked under brown sugar and butter until soft and syrupy.
How: Lay fresh pineapple slices in a dish, sprinkle with brown sugar, dot with butter and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, basting once.
35. Pineapple Fritters
Pineapple rings in a light batter, fried until puffy and golden and dusted with sugar.
How: Dip pineapple rings in a pancake-style batter and fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes a side. Dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
36. Pineapple Upside-Down Donuts
Baked donuts with a caramelized pineapple ring on top, like mini upside-down cakes.
How: Put a little butter and brown sugar in each donut pan cavity with a pineapple piece, pipe in cake batter and bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Flip out.
37. Strawberry Pineapple Kebabs
Strawberries and pineapple on skewers, grilled or served fresh with a yogurt dip.
How: Thread pineapple chunks and strawberries on skewers, brush with honey and lime and grill 2 minutes a side, or serve fresh with vanilla yogurt.
38. Chocolate-Dipped Pineapple
Pineapple spears dipped in dark chocolate and coconut. A two-ingredient party trick.
How: Pat pineapple spears very dry, dip halfway in melted dark chocolate, sprinkle with coconut and chill on parchment for 20 minutes.
39. Candied Pineapple
Chewy, glossy candied pineapple rings for fruitcake, garnishes or snacking.
How: Simmer pineapple slices in a 1:1 sugar syrup on low for about 1 hour until translucent, then dry on a rack overnight.
40. Pina Colada Quick Bread
A moist quick bread with pineapple, coconut and a coconut glaze. Great with coffee.
How: Fold drained crushed pineapple and shredded coconut into a quick bread batter, bake in a loaf pan at 350°F for 55 to 60 minutes and glaze.
Tips for Baking With Pineapple
- Fresh vs canned: canned crushed pineapple is perfect for cakes, fluff and bars. Fresh is best for grilling, baking slices, sorbet and fruit salad.
- Gelatin warning: fresh or frozen raw pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that stops gelatin from setting. Use canned pineapple in Jell-O, mousse or set cheesecakes.
- Drain well: press crushed pineapple in a sieve with a spoon. Save the juice for glazes, smoothies or frosting.
- Pick a ripe one: it should smell sweet at the base and feel slightly soft. Here's how to tell if a pineapple is ripe, and how to ripen a pineapple if yours is still hard.
- Toast the coconut: 5 minutes in a dry skillet makes every tropical dessert taste better.
More Pineapple Ideas
Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits that start with P, and there are plenty more on my list of fruits that start with P. For an adults-only pairing, try my pineapple margarita or a pineapple orange coconut rum cocktail (21+ only). Baking with other tropical fruit? My Chrissy Teigen banana bread is a big hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What desserts can you make with pineapple?
Lots! Pineapple upside-down cake, hummingbird cake, dump cake, angel food cake, pina colada pie, Pineapple Delight, pineapple fluff, cheesecake, bars, cookies, sorbet, Dole Whip-style soft serve and grilled pineapple with ice cream are all easy and crowd-pleasing.
What is the easiest pineapple dessert?
Pineapple fluff and pineapple angel food cake are the easiest. Fluff is crushed pineapple, instant vanilla pudding and whipped topping stirred together and chilled. The cake is a box of angel food mix plus a can of crushed pineapple, baked in a 9×13 pan.
Can you use canned pineapple instead of fresh in desserts?
Yes, and for most cakes, bars and no-bake desserts canned is actually easier and more consistent. Use fresh pineapple for grilling, baking slices, sorbet and fruit salad. Canned pineapple is also the safe choice for anything with gelatin.
Why won't my pineapple gelatin dessert set?
Fresh or frozen raw pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down gelatin so it never sets. Use canned pineapple, which is heat-treated, or cook fresh pineapple for a few minutes before adding it to anything with gelatin.
What flavors go well with pineapple in desserts?
Coconut is the classic, followed by banana, vanilla, brown sugar, rum flavor, lime, ginger, cream cheese and macadamia or pecans. Cherries are the traditional partner on upside-down cake, and a little salt makes grilled pineapple pop.
