Enjoy a tropical treat with this delicious Hawaiian Dream Cake recipe. Layers of fluffy yellow cake, creamy pineapple filling, and fluffy whipped cream make this dessert a crowd-pleaser.
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Craving a tropical dessert that’s easy, creamy, and bursting with pineapple flavor? This Hawaiian Dream Cake is the perfect no-fuss treat for any occasion—whether you’re heading to a summer BBQ, planning a potluck, or just dreaming of palm trees from your kitchen. This easy dessert starts with a fluffy yellow cake, topped with creamy pineapple pudding, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of coconut, pecans, and mandarin orange slices. It’s sweet, refreshing, and tastes like a sunny day in Hawaii! Perfect for family potlucks, BBQ s, or just when you’re dreaming of the beach—Hawaiian Cake is pure dessert paradise. For more summer favorites, also check out my homemade Banana Pudding, Strawberry Cream Cheese Slab Pie, and Peach Cobbler Dump Cake ready to eat in no time!
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Ingredient Notes
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed. To see printable recipe card with complete directions, scroll to the bottom or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.
- Yellow Cake– you’ll need one package yellow cake mix, any brand, enough to make a 9×13 baking pan plus ingredients listed on box (usually vegetable oil and eggs)
- Pineapple– canned crushed pineapple, you’ll drain the 20 ounce can, however, keep the pineapple juice for using in the cake.
- Cream Cheese– one 8 ounce package cream cheese, allow to soften to room temperature.
- Vanilla Pudding– you’ll need one box (3 ounce) of instant vanilla pudding, any brand.
- Milk– any type works including non-dairy options.
- Cool Whip– if you don’t want to use cool whip, you can use homemade whipped cream or in it’s place.
- Pecans– chopped for the topping, adds a nice crunch. You can also use any other chopped nuts like walnuts if preferred.
- Coconut– shredded coconut gets sprinkled over the whipped cream layer.
- Orange Slices– mandarin orange slices really bring this to the next level and offer a nice garnish to add to the top of cake just before serving.
Tips for Making the Best Hawaiian Dream Cake
- When preparing the yellow cake, you will follow package directions. When it comes to adding water to the cake mix, you’ll use the reserved pineapple juice in place of the water. This adds a more Tropical flavor to the cake batter.
- Make sure the vanilla pudding is INSTANT pudding mix.
- Have fun with the toppings and feel free to add additional fruits like Maraschino cherries.
Storage
Although this cake can be enjoyed right away, I find it even better when its refrigerated overnight to let the flavors fuse together. Store in a covered baking pan or airtight container for up to 5 days if refrigerated. I do not recommend freezing this pineapple cake due to the whipped cream and pudding layers.
More Cake Recipes to try
Texas Sheet Cake– a delicious and classic dessert that is loved by many for its chocolate flavor, fudge frosting, and easy preparation. This sheet cake is a thin, flat cake made with a rich chocolate batter, baked in a jelly roll pan, and typically topped with a thick layer of incredible chocolate frosting.
Mississippi Mud Cake– a moist and fluffy chocolate cake topped with marshmallows, pecans, and a homemade chocolate frosting that can’t be beat! A classic Southern recipe that is perfect for any occasion!
Banana Pudding Poke Cake– a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that combines the classic flavors of banana pudding and yellow cake. With only 10 minutes of prep needed, this cake is perfect for BBQ’s, gatherings, potlucks, and more! The ULTIMATE Banana Pudding Cake that everyone will devour!
S’mores Poke Cake– an easy to make chocolate cake with marshmallows, a pudding mixture, and graham cracker crumble that satisfies any sweet tooth craving.
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake– an easy, no-bake dessert that the whole family will love – the Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake! This crowd-pleasing recipe features layers of honey graham crackers, creamy vanilla Instant pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and luscious canned chocolate frosting.
That’s it! This Hawaiian Dream Cake is super simple, crazy tasty, and always a hit. Definitely one of those recipes you’ll want to hang onto. So go ahead—save it, pin it, share it with your best friend or your favorite neighbor.
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Hawaiian Dream Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 20 oz crushed pineapple *drained, but keep juice
- 8 oz cream cheese *softened
- 3 oz Instant Vanilla Pudding
- 1 cup milk
- 9 oz cool whip
- chopped pecans
- shredded coconut
- mandarin orange slices
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to pkg directions using pineapple juice and water in place of liquid called for in directions.
- Bake the cake at 350 degrees, for about 35 minutes in a greased 9 x 13 baking pan.
- Allow cake to cool completely, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, instant vanilla pudding, and cold milk together until smooth.
- Fold in the drained pineapple and spread mixture on top of cooled cake evenly.
- Spread cool whip on top of cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle desired amount of chopped pecans and shredded coconut (or coconut flakes) over cool whip.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving. Place one mandarin orange on top of each slice if desired!
Nutrition
Mary says
This cake is amazing however I did make some changes and it didn’t last long at all I ate half myself and will be doing a lot of walking/running now that the cake is all gone. It’s easy to make and it’s light and airy and tropical tasting. This is a great cake to take to a party. Love it!!!
Kristin says
Yay!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Sally says
I have been making this cake for years using a cake mix and it is so delicious!!
Kristin says
Its a favorite! Such a light, refreshing cake!
Patti Kessler says
I made this cake on the weekend and it was amazing. I used whipped cream not cool whip. 3 am my husband had to get up for just one more piece of cake. Lol. PATTI
Kristin says
LOL, that is hilarious about the 3am cake excursion. Yup, that would be me too!! Smart thinking, hehe!! So glad you all enjoyed this, it is such a refreshing summer sweet treat!!
Petrina says
You lost me @ CAKE MIX.If your are going to bother to bake something, make it your own.
Kristin says
I agree, however, this is just a “quick and easy” cake option for those that don’t have a lot of time to whip up a dessert from scratch.