Name: Pineapple Coconut Cake
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup vegetable oil; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained slightly (reserve juice); ½ cup pineapple juice (from can or fresh); 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Toasted coconut flakes; Pineapple chunks or slices

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained slightly (reserve juice)
½ cup pineapple juice (from can or fresh)
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping

Toasted coconut flakes
Pineapple chunks or slices

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pans

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This combination ensures a moist cake with a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavoring

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two additions, alternating with the pineapple juice. Mix just until combined. Gently fold in the crushed pineapple and shredded coconut.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour. Overmixing can make the cake dense. Also, lightly draining the pineapple is important—too much liquid can affect the cake’s structure.