Quick Sunshine Cake

Brighten up your day with a slice of sunshine! This moist and flavorful cake is infused with the sweetness of pineapple and the crunch of toasted pecans.

Perfect for a springtime celebration or a picked-me-up any day of the year, this cake is sure to spread a little joy.

Ready Time

50 mins

Yields

10 servings

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup crushed pineapple
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together softened butter and milk until smooth.

Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined.

Stir in pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans (if using). Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cakes are completely cool, you can dust them with confectioners’ sugar and serve.

Notes

To ensure the cake turns out light and fluffy, make sure to use room temperature eggs and don’t overmix the batter. If using pecans, be gentle when folding them into the batter to avoid breaking them.

Pineapple juice can be substituted with orange or grapefruit juice for a different twist on the recipe.

For a moist and tender crumb, don’t overbake the cakes. Cakes can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months.

Thaw at room temperature or refrigerate overnight before serving.

Confectioners’ sugar can be omitted or substituted with a sprinkle of granulated sugar for a different look.