Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cake – four ingredients, one bowl, one spoon and you’re on your way to this delicious cake!
Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cake
Today’s pineapple coconut cake was first made for my Dad’s birthday last week. I have to come to terms with the fact that not everyone wants chocolate+peanut butter errrything, like I do.
He loves pineapple and coconut so I knew I wanted to put those flavors together.
I originally planned on making a pineapple upside down cake, but decided to go this direction instead. My Dad doesn’t like fussy things and he loves fresh pineapple so this sweet treat was was perfect for him.
Why you’ll love this pineapple coconut cake recipe
- Easy recipe – Only four ingredients, one bowl, and one spoon are needed.
- Perfect for family gatherings – Because it makes a 9×13 size, it can feed a group.
- It’s skinny – It’s low in fat and calories but you’d never know it because it’s one of those great recipes that doesn’t sacrifice on flavor.
The cake batter starts from an angel food cake mix, has crushed pineapple mixed in, and is finished with a coconut topping.
Angel food cake is naturally fat free (the boxed kind, anyway) and you’re not adding that many more calories with the pineapple, brown sugar, and coconut.
Regardless, it’s safe to say it’s far skinnier than most of my desserts.
It’s light and spongy, like angel food cake should be, and the brown sugar and coconut adds a nice sweet “crust” to the top. Even I liked it, and I don’t like pineapple.
Equipment you’ll need to make a Pineapple Cake
- My favorite mixing bowls – they have a grippy bottom, which makes them hold still while you’re mixing.
- My favorite silicone spoons – I love using silicone spoons because they’re heat safe (when you need them to be) & they’re easy to clean. A wooden spoon will also work.
- Baking dish – love that it has a lid for storing leftovers.
Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cake Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Angel Food Cake Mix – The “just add water” kind. I used Duncan Hines.
- Crushed Pineapple – You want the kind that comes in the can with pineapple juice NOT packed in syrup.
- Brown Sugar – To make a “crust” on the cake.
- Shredded Coconut – Coconut flakes go on top with the brown sugar to make a bit of a crust on the cake. You could also add toasted coconut if you want to add an additional special touch.
How to make this Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cake
- STEP ONE: Prep the batter. To a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix and can of crushed pineapple. Stir it until it’s fully combined – it will be light and airy. Pour batter into a 9×13 pan and sprinkle brown sugar and shredded coconut evenly over the top.
- STEP TWO: Bake the cake. In a 350° preheated oven, bake the cake until golden brown and slightly cracked in the center of the cake – 30-35 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and for best results, turn the cake on its side to slightly cool.
- STEP THREE: Serve the cake. When ready to serve, run a knife along the edge of the cake to loosen it and then slice to serve.
Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cake
Ingredients
- 16 ounce angel food cake mix the “just add water” kind – I used Duncan Hines
- 16 ounce crushed pineapple in juice not in syrup
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large bowl, add the cake mix and crushed pineapple. With a spoon, stir until fully combined. It will be light & airy.
- Pour the batter into a 9 x 13 pan.
- Sprinkle on the brown sugar until it evenly coats the top.
- Sprinkle on the shredded coconut.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and cracked. It will probably be hard to see the cracks because of the brown sugar/coconut topping, but any that you do see, should be dry, not moist.
- Remove from oven and carefully set the pan on its side to cool.
- Once cool, run a knife around the edge to loosen it.
- It will slice best with a serrated knife since it’s so spongy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.
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Looks so delicious! I have to do 30 hours of social work CEUs every two years and it makes me cry!!
15 hours/year is wayyy worse than 6. I’ll stop complaining 😉
This looks so delicious and I love how simple it is to make- yum! 🙂
This is such a lovely picture. I really love pineapple and coconut together, and this looks so quick and easy. *Pinning now.*
Thank you!
Love pineapple and coconut! Happy belated birthday and congrats on 33 years Madre and Dad!
Aw, thanks Rachel! =)
Sounds like a DELICIOUS combo of flavors!! Thanks for sharing! Happy (belated) Birthday to your dad & anniversary wishes too! 🙂
Pina Coloda in cake form? Where have you been all of my life? And so simple! I super glad I found you on Marvelous Monday. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
haha glad to have been found 😉
I saw this on Marvelous Mondays and wanted to stop by and say thanks for sharing this! It’s something that I have heard about at various WW meetings for years, but have yet to make it. Have pinned and bookmarked to try soon.
This looks so easy and healthy too! I’ve gotta try it! Stopping by from Marvelous Mondays
http://www.mypendinglife.blogspot.com
That looks sooo light and fluffy! Great idea! Liz from http://www.leaveahappyplate.com
I must try this! Thanks for sharing, I have shared.
Hi!
I love this, it’s like a “healthier” dump cake. 😉 Do you grease the pan before adding the batter?
I did not grease it 🙂
Thanks Melissa. I’m heading out in the morning to pick up cake mix and pineapple. Yum!
Great! Let me know how you like it 🙂
Do you add water to the cake mix as well, or just the pineapple?
Just the pineapple and its juice.
with the SKINNY} PINEAPPLE COCONUT CAKE do i also use the eggs, oil, and liquid that is added on the box cake?
You’ll need the “just add water” angel food cake. Duncan Hines is the one I use.
If I don’t have access to cake mix, what is the best easiest and mixer free cake batter that can replace it?
Hi. I haven’t tested from scratch, and it’s a lot more ingredients, but this one seems easy https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8428/homemade-angel-food-cake/
Hi about skinny pineapple coconut cake. Use angel cake mix it said put some water in it? That my question
You don’t add water. The pineapple juice takes its place.
Can I make the Pineapple Coconut cake in cup cakes?
That should work fine 🙂
“Carefully set the pan on its side to cool”…please explain!
You just lean the pan on its side a bit (prop it up) to cool. You can also flip it over. It helps angel food cake to not collapse.