Pineapple Crumb Cake (+Video)
This Easy Pineapple Crumb Cake recipe is easily made with a boxed cake mix, crushed pineapple, pecans and a brown sugar crumb topping.
AN EASY AND DELICIOUS PINEAPPLE CAKE
This recipe is inspired by the snack-sized pineapple crumb cakes we had during our lunch at Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. It was so light and moist and had the perfect tropical taste to match our location. So I set about trying to re-create it at home. I think it turned out even better! I absolutely love pineapple desserts. If you haven’t made my Pineapple Fluff Dessert or Pineapple Dream Dessert, you need to check them out
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes, of course. I really liked the bright and tropical flavor that the lemon cake mix added here. But you can certainly use a pineapple cake mix.
Yes. However, this is a very moist and tender cake so you’d have to be super careful if you want to make this a stacked cake or it will fall apart.
It can stay out on the counter (covered) for up to 3 days. If you want it to last longer, put it covered in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen. Wrap well in plastic wrap then in aluminum foil. It will last up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
all-purpose flour
brown sugar
butter
chopped pecans
crushed pineapple
lemon cake mix
eggs
vegetable oil
powdered sugar
milk
pineapple juice
HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE CRUMB CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare the crumble topping. In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and butter using a fork. You want to end up with it fully mixed and you should have small crumbles.
Then, stir in chopped pecans. Set aside.
Prepare the cake. First, open up the can of crushed pineapple and set aside 4 teaspoons of pineapple juice to use for the icing later.
In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with the rest of the juices), lemon cake mix, eggs and oil. Mix for about 2 minutes using an electric mixer. Pour cake mix into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
Bake for about 35-38 minutes (until it bounces back to the touch or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.) Note: As you can see below, some of my crumb topping sunk into the cake. This actually ended up being a really yummy and happy accident. It made it like a cinnamon roll cake. So don’t worry if this happens to yours. It tastes amazing! Allow the cake to cool completely.
Prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and pineapple juice. Whisk until smooth.
Drizzle the icing all over the cake.
Then serve!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Pineapple Crumb Cake (+Video)
Ingredients
For the crumb topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the cake:
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain), divided use
- 15.25 ounce box lemon cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
For the icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 4 teaspoons reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Make the crumble topping:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and butter using a fork. You want to end up with it fully mixed and you should have small crumbles.
- Then, stir in chopped pecans. Set aside.
Prepare the cake:
- First, open up the can of crushed pineapple and set aside 4 teaspoons of pineapple juice to use for the icing later.
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with the rest of the juice), lemon cake mix, eggs and oil. Mix for about 2 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Pour cake batter into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake for about 35-38 minutes (until it bounces back to the touch or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.) Allow the cake to cool completely.
Making the icing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and pineapple juice. Whisk until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing all over the cake. Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- Pineapple cake mix can be used instead of lemon. I just preferred the bright flavor that lemon added.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Edited to add: The original post had information about Disney Cruises and the Disney Cruise Line which are now out of date and have therefore been removed from this post.
I made this cake for my husband tonightand he loved it! I was curious as to what it would taste like with the lemon cake mix and pineapple together. However they bring tart and sweetness together amazingly! It didn’t have a strong taste of either the lemon or the pineapple. The crumb topping oh and then the glaze on the top of all that goodness!! It was so delicious!!! I would highly recommend everyone wondering if they should try it……Yes you should!!!
Yay!! Thanks so very much Tammy!! This cake is probably one of my most favorite recipes here on the site. Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and comment!
Made it and love it… so very moist, but I used butter flavored cake mix…..yummy yummy yummy
Woo hoo! Thanks so much for coming back to review Patty!
Could you make this as a sheet cake?
I don’t see why not!
I think it’s much better with a yellow cake mix in place of lemon. I initially made it with yellow cake because my husband defeats lemon desserts and I had to try this cake. It was amazing! Then I made it with lemon cake mix and just wasn’t as impressed but I think everyone should try it both ways. People loved both of the cakes it was just my preference with yellow. Also it’s delicious cold too. I normally like room temp cake but there was something irresistible about it straight out of the fridge. Has become one of my favorites!
Love it! And you are so right – a yellow or lemon cake works great! Thank you for coming back to comment!
any problem if nuts are not used in the crumble top? I want to take this to a church gathering but I know there are people with nut allergies.
Hi Jenny! Nuts are totally optional. 🙂 Hope everyone enjoys!
I know I’ve already posted about this cake before, but just have to say this is the BEST CAKE EVER.
Yes I made this cake today and the Crumb topping stayed on the top, will it cause a problem when I put the icing on it
We were recently on a cruise (not Disney) and found that we tended to enjoy the non-cruiseline shore offerings better than the ones the ship offered. They all have guarantees re getting back to the ship on time so we felt it was a safe alternative. Tripadvisor was a great source of info for other shore excursions.
Does this cake tasty “lemony?” Not a fan of lemon. Have you tried it with plain yellow cake mix?
Wonderful recipe ! Is there any way to print it in a usable format—like recipe card?
I made the pineapple crumb cake this weekend and my husband loved it. Me too. I enjoy getting your recipes.
Thanks
Hi Linnie! Love hearing that – thank you so much!!
Can you use other nuts instead of pecans
I really appreciate your frank assessment of Disney’s cruise with your family. This is the stuff that doesn’t appear on the colorful brochures, but which make a world of difference to know ahead of time, as you pointed out! Thank you! : )
Hey Ja! I am glad you find it useful. I would definitely do another cruise with Disney but I’ll be a little wiser next time. 🙂 Plus, I know everyone’s experiences are different and this is just mine (which was good!). But I hope it’ll at least be something that folks can take as an honest review and do with it what they will. 🙂