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Pineapple Zucchini Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting

    Learn how to make an interesting and delicious dessert with this recipe for Pineapple Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. It’s the incredible combination you didn’t know you needed.

    Make something different from your usual chocolate or vanilla cake with this Pineapple Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe. It’s an excellent recipe with easy-to-find ingredients.

    The cake is flavorful, good for you, and won’t take too much of your time to prepare. You can expect to leave an amazing impression on anyone who tries this cake for the first time.

    Don’t be surprised when people ask you for the recipe!

    What Is Pineapple Zucchini Cake?

    The Pineapple Zucchini Cake is a deliciously sweet dessert consisting of pineapple juice, dried cherries, and shredded pieces of zucchini. It’s the combination of ingredients that you didn’t know you needed.

    But they just pair well together to create the perfect unique and tasty dessert.

    Why You Should Make the Pineapple Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    • It’s the perfect dessert for pineapple lovers because it contains fresh pineapple juice.
    • It’s a light, fruity, and flavorful dessert with the perfect frosting to go with it.
    • You can make this cake for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party or family gathering.

    Ingredients Needed

    When making the Pineapple Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, make sure you have these ingredients at home:

    • Flour. Start with flour as the base for your cake batter.
    • Crushed Pineapples. Drain your crushed pineapples and use them for flavor and texture in this cake.
    • Baking Soda. Get your cake to bake with the perfect consistency using a bit of baking soda.
    • Dried Cherries. The sweetness of the dried cherries tastes great with the pineapple flavor.
    • Shredded Zucchini. Press out the extra liquid from the zucchini before you add it to the cake batter.

    You’re also going to need all-purpose flour, eggs, pineapple juice, oil, and vanilla for the cake itself. When preparing the frosting for this cake, you’re going to need cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and pineapple juice.

    Overhead view of the sheet cake with a slice of cake on the side with some tropical flowers.

    Which type of cream cheese do I need?

    When preparing the frosting, use your favorite brand of cream cheese in the original flavor. You can use a brick of whipped cream or the whipped kind, depending on what you prefer and have in your fridge.

    Do I use canned or fresh pineapples?

    The best result you will get with fresh pinapple and pineapple juice. Make sure to buy a fully ripe fruit, which is deep yellow and juicy.

    Alternatively use canned diced pineapples for this recipe, along with can juice. It’s easier than using fresh fruit, but fresh fruit is always best when it comes to fruit cakes.

    Do I add the frosting while the cake is still hot?

    You don’t add the frosting to this cake until you’ve allowed it to cool down completely. Once it’s cool, apply the frosting, slice the cake, and serve it up.

    Pineapple Zucchini Cake 11

    What kind of cake pan do I need?

    Use a 9×13 cake pan for this recipe. Be sure to spray a generous amount of non-stick cooking spray in the pan before adding the cake batter to it.

    If yyou use butter you will get a better taste for your cake, adding a slight crust to it.

    The cooking spray will keep the baked cake from sticking to the pan when it’s time to remove it for serving.

    How long does the cake need to bake?

    The cake should bake for roughly 30 minutes. Check the middle of the cake using a fork or toothpick. If it’s not quite done at the 30-minute mark, let it bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

    A simple slice of cake with cream cheese frosting and a cherry on top on a white plate with a fork.

    Can I add anything on top of the cake?

    You can add extra ingredients as cake topping along with the frosting. Once you’ve spread the frosting on top of the cake, add a few pineapple slices and some maraschino cherries on top for flavor.

    Not only do these toppings taste great, but they’ll also make the cake look even better.

    Why does this recipe call for zucchini?

    The recipe contains zucchini because it keeps the cake moist and flavorful. It’s a nutritious ingredient worth adding to your cake mixture with the flour, diced pineapples, pineapple juice, and other ingredients.

    How do I store the cake?

    If you have a plastic cake storage container, use that to keep your cake fresh. Be sure to put the cake in the fridge to keep it in the best condition.

    It’s also easy to slice the cake into individual servings, wrap the servings in plastic wrap, and store them in an airtight container.

    You can also freeze it, best in servings and well packed.

    Think Pineapple is just for dessert? Think again. Enjoy a Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball with crackers during drinks with the gals. This Pineapple Cole Slaw sounds like the perfect side with a pulled pork sandwich. And for dinner, enjoy this Grilled Citrus Salmon with Pineapple Salsa or this Baked Pineapple Chicken Marinade. They all sound delicious!

    For more awesome Pineapple Desserts, check these out!

    Pineapple Zucchini Cake 9
    4.50 from 4 votes

    Juicy Pineapple Zucchini Cake & Frosting

    This recipe for Pineapple Zucchini Cake features a delectable pineapple cream cheese frosting. It’s the incredible combination you didn’t know you needed.
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
    Course Cake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 portions
    Calories 349 kcal

    Ingredients 

    For the Cake

    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 1/2 cups sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 ½ cups pineapple fresh or 20 oz can, drained
    • cup pineapple juice from the drained juice
    • 3 eggs
    • ¾ cup oil
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • 2 cups zucchini shredded, excess liquid pressed out
    • 1 cup dried cherries optional

    For the Frosting

    • ½ cup butter
    • 8 oz cream cheese
    • 4 tablespoon pineapple juice from the drained juice
    • 4 cups powdered sugar

    Instructions 

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F (180° C). Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick baking spray (Pam with Flour).
    • Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
    • Drain the pineapple juice into a bowl. Press out excess with a spatula. You should get about 1 cup of reserved juice.
    • Mix the eggs, oil, and vanilla together. Add in the drained pineapple and 1/3 cup pineapple juice.
    • Add the wet ingredients into the dry and stir in the zucchini and dried cherries.
    • Transfer to the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
      Cool completely.
    • Cream the butter and cream cheese together gradually adding the pineapple juice and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy.
    • Frost the cake, slice, and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 212mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g

    Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

    Recipe Video

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    Author: Susan Queck
    A quick and easy pineapple zucchini cake recipe with pineapple cream cheese frosting. It's the perfect sheet cake for parties.


    Images, text and all other content Copyrighted©Karyn Granrud, Susanne Queck and Wunderlander Verlag LLC, or ©Pro Stock Media via Canva.com. Unlicensed republishing permitted. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn on qualified purchases.

    Susan Queck

    Susan Queck

    I'm Suzy, the baker and dessert maker behind this blog. Baking is my lifelong passion, where I find the magic in transforming basic ingredients into delectable works of art. Join me in my sweet journey of culinary exploration and celebration! More about me.

    2 thoughts on “Pineapple Zucchini Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting”

    1. Hi!
      I’ve a doubt, how much flour do I have to use? 3 cups, 1 1/2 cup or 4 1/2 cups?
      “3 cups flour
      1 1/2 cups flour”
      Thanks a lot

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