Heavenly Hawaiian Paradise Cake Recipe for Sweet Escape

Tropical breezes and sunshine dance through this mouthwatering Hawaiian paradise cake that captures the essence of island bliss.

Sweet layers of vibrant colors tell a delicious story of culinary adventure.

Each slice bursts with tropical flavors that transport you directly to a Hawaiian beach.

Creamy textures and delicate notes of coconut, pineapple, and passion fruit create a symphony of taste.

The cake promises a delightful escape from ordinary desserts.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily recreate this stunning treat that celebrates the spirit of the Hawaiian islands.

This recipe will be your ticket to a delectable tropical paradise.

Keep This Cake Tropical and Moist After Baking

• Quick Slice Strategy: Cut cake into individual portions before refrigerating, making grab-and-go snacks easier throughout the week. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Chilled Delight Duration: Store Hawaiian Paradise Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Freezing Magic Technique: Carefully wrap entire cake or individual slices in double layers of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 weeks without compromising taste or texture. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Room Temperature Timing: When serving fresh, leave cake at ambient temperature for up to 2 hours. Warm slightly in microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and enhance topping's gooey consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s Inside a Hawaiian Paradise Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the sturdy foundation of the cake, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb, opt for fine-crystal sugar for smooth mixing.
• Baking Soda: Provides light, airy lift to the cake, ensures even rising during baking.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness, select fresh, room-temperature eggs for best results.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds tropical moisture and subtle fruity flavor, use undrained for extra juiciness.
• Canola Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender, provides lighter texture compared to butter.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, balances sweetness of the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors, adds depth and aromatic warmth.

• Evaporated Milk: Creates creamy, rich sauce base, brings luxurious consistency.
• Sugar: Sweetens and thickens topping, helps achieve caramel-like texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and silky mouthfeel, select unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens topping's flavor complexity, complements other ingredients.

• Pecans: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertone, toast lightly for enhanced flavor.
• Shredded Coconut: Introduces tropical texture and sweet notes, select unsweetened for balanced taste.

Bakeware for That Tropical Cake Adventure

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all cake ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for baking the cake evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure delicious results.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients without lumps.
• Medium saucepan: Needed for preparing the delectable topping.
• Fork: Used to create holes for the topping to seep into the cake.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

Steps to Make a Paradise Cake with Layers

• Warm Oven Prep

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and lovingly coat a 9×13 baking dish with a light butter layer.

• Tropical Cake Blend

Toss all cake ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl, stirring until the batter looks smooth and dreamy like a Hawaiian sunset.

• Cake Baking Magic

Pour your tropical mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it gently. Slide into the oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.

• Luscious Topping Creation

While the cake bakes, craft a decadent sauce by simmering milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Let it bubble for a few minutes, then pull from heat. Stir in vanilla, pecans, and coconut for extra island flair.

• Topping Transformation

Once cake emerges golden, poke playful holes across its surface. Drench the warm cake with your tropical topping, watching it seep into every delicious crevice.

• Cooling Celebration

Let your masterpiece rest and cool completely, allowing flavors to mingle and settle into pure deliciousness.

Flavor Enhancements with Coconut & Pineapple

• Tropical Texture Tricks: Poke extra holes in the cake for maximum topping absorption, creating a super moist and flavorful Hawaiian dessert experience.
• Nutty Swap Magic: Replace pecans with macadamia nuts for an authentic Hawaiian twist that adds crunch and local island flavor to your cake.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Substitute evaporated milk with coconut milk to make the recipe completely dairy-free while enhancing the tropical undertones of the dessert.
• Storage Sweet Spot: Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time.
• Frosting Fun Option: For extra indulgence, consider adding a light cream cheese frosting on top after the cake has completely cooled, creating an additional layer of creamy decadence.

Serve Slices with Extra Whipped Cream or Fruit

• Tropical Taste Adventure: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for extra crunch and authentic Hawaiian flair. The golden-brown coconut adds delightful texture and enhances the cake's tropical essence.
• Island-Inspired Serving Style: Plate each slice with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, creamy complement perfectly balances the warm, sweet cake and highlights its rich pineapple flavor.
• Festive Fruit Garnish: Arrange fresh pineapple chunks or mandarin orange slices around the cake's edge. These bright, juicy fruits bring beautiful color and a refreshing zest that connects directly to the cake's Hawaiian theme.
• Decadent Drizzle Option: Create an optional caramel or rum-infused glaze to drizzle over individual servings. This luxurious touch adds depth and sophistication to the already delicious dessert, making each bite feel like a special tropical celebration.

Tropical Hawaiian Paradise Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Hawaiian paradise cake blends tropical flavors from classic chiffon layers with passion fruit, guava, and lime. Each colorful slice celebrates Hawaiian culinary heritage, offering rich cultural sweetness you can savor and share.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 20 oz (567 g) crushed pineapple (undrained)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) evaporated milk
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans
• 1 cup (80 g) shredded coconut
• ¼ cup (60 ml) canola oil
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) sugar
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter or margarine
• 2 tsps (10 g) baking soda
• 2 tsps (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a rectangular baking pan to prevent adhesion.
2. Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, crushed pineapple, canola oil, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients into a smooth, homogeneous mixture, eliminating any lumps and ensuring complete ingredient integration.
3. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a thin skewer into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully cooked.
4. Topping Preparation: Simultaneously, craft the glaze by combining evaporated milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Stir continuously over medium heat until the mixture reaches a vigorous boil, maintaining the heat for an additional 3 minutes before removing from the stove.
5. Topping Enhancement: Fold vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and shredded coconut into the warm glaze, ensuring thorough distribution of ingredients and creating a rich, textured topping.
6. Final Assembly: Remove the cake from the oven and methodically perforate the surface with a fork, creating channels for optimal topping absorption. Generously drench the warm cake with the prepared glaze, allowing it to seep deeply into the cake’s interior.
7. Cooling and Serving: Let the Hawaiian Paradise Cake rest at room temperature, enabling the topping to set and the flavors to meld harmoniously before presenting this tropical delight.

Notes

• Preheat Precisely: Oven temperature accuracy is crucial for achieving the perfect cake texture and preventing uneven baking.
• Mix Masterfully: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure a smooth, consistent batter that guarantees a tender cake.
• Fork Technique: Systematically pierce the cake’s surface to create channels that allow the topping to deeply penetrate and infuse maximum flavor.
• Cooling is Key: Let the cake rest at room temperature to allow topping to set and flavors to meld, enhancing the overall taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 43 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg