34 Pineapple Desserts That Go Beyond Upside-Down Cake

Updated: Jul. 25, 2024

Nothing transports you to a tropical state of mind like a few good pineapple desserts (and maybe a piña colada). Get recipes for pineapple upside-down cake and beyond

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Creamy Pineapple Pie

One of my favorite pineapple desserts is this no-bake pineapple pie. It’s a light and refreshing dessert that’s quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

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Pineapple Pudding Cake

My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It’s so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
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Hawaiian Dream Cookies

These cookies are lovely as they are, but I’ll sometimes use a light-colored sanding sugar for the top: First, lightly brush the top cookie with cream, then sprinkle with sanding sugar. This can be done before or after placing the cookie on top of the filling. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Also check out these modern Hawaiian cookbooks we love.

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Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes

This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Pineapple Carrot Cake

“This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I’ve ever eaten,” writes Jeanette McKenna of Vero Beach, Florida. “It’s so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated.”
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Creamy Pina Colada Pie

This is a family favorite and super easy to make. Some like the consistency of this pina colada pie right out of the freezer and others prefer a softer pie—either way it’s delicious! —Jenny Hales, Arcadia, Oklahoma
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Vegan Tropical Magic Bars

These vegan magic bars are one of the easiest treats you can make. By using plant-based butter and condensed coconut milk, they are completely vegan-friendly. I also added some dried pineapple, mango and macadamia nuts to give them the tropical spin. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Pineapple Coconut Upside-Down Cake

This recipe is one of my favorites! The tropical flavors remind me of being on vacation with my family in the Caribbean—I have so many fun memories. —Stephanie Pichelli, Toronto, Ontario
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Pina Colada Cupcakes

These Pina Colada Cupcakes are fun and colorful for picnics! They can be served as cupcakes or layered into individual dishes to make mini trifles. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Pina Colada Icebox Cake

This icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
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Hawaiian Sunset Cake

This three-layer sunset cake is pretty enough for company, but it’s so simple to make that you’ll find yourself baking it often. A boxed mix keeps it convenient while the fruity filling makes it a crowd-pleaser. —Kara De la Vega, Suisun City, California
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Pineapple Star Cookies

I’m grateful my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies’ pretty shape and savor the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you’ll know they’re worth the effort. —Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York
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Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake

This pineapple dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
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Italian Pineapple Trifle

My grandmother made this rich, tempting trifle every year for our family’s Christmas Eve celebrations. Now I make it to carry on her special tradition. It’s an easy, delicious no-bake dessert everyone will love. —Ann-Marie Milano, Milton, Massachusetts
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Pineapple Crunch

A co-worker shared the recipe for this refreshing pineapple dessert years ago. Every time I take it somewhere, it’s a favorite. —Betty Wiersma, Sherwood Park, Alberta
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White Chocolate Fruit Tart

It takes a little time to make, but this tart is absolutely marvelous, especially in summer when fresh fruit is in abundance. —Claire Darby, New Castle, Delaware
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Hummingbird Cake

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It also makes a great Easter dessert and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Pina Colada Lush

Pina colada lush is such a fantastic warm weather dessert—it’s so light and refreshing, and a breeze to make! I love how the tart pineapple pairs with the sweet coconut. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
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Pineapple Orange Trifle

Guests are pleasantly surprised to see this lovely trifle on my holiday table. Coconut, pineapple and mandarin oranges lend a tropical taste to every spoonful. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
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Pina Colada Bundt Cake

We named this bundt a “pina colada” because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake

My mom often made pineapple upside-down cake, but I prefer something creamier. This recipe looks just like her cake, but gets even tastier as pineapple upside-down cheesecake. —Marilyn McGinnis, Citrus Heights, California
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Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce

Pineapple, rum and sugar have a longstanding and flavorful relationship that takes on new meaning when you add ginger and butter and turn up the heat. —Jamie Miller, Maple Grove, Minnesota
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Pineapple Sponge Pie

Here’s a home-style delight featuring a fluffy sponge layer on top and a smooth custard on the bottom. The pairing of tangy pineapple and lemon is so refreshing after a big dinner. —Lola Beeler, Chillicothe, Ohio
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Aloha Cupcakes

A friend asked me to make a coconut and pineapple cupcake for a gathering she was hosting. Everyone agreed that this beauty took them to the tropics. The macadamia nuts are completely optional (the friend happens to be allergic), and the cupcakes are still fantastic without them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
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Pina Colada Molded Salad

My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It’s a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I’m retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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Sunrise Pops

Bright, beautiful, cool, refreshing, sweet, delicious and wholesome—what’s there not to like in these homemade pops?—Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

I often bring this salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin
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Classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
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Pineapple Coconut Tassies

These cookies may sound and look fancy, but they're rather easy to make Their simplicity makes them an ideal choice for baking with children. My granddaughter enjoys helping me measure the ingredients. Children also can help shape the dough into balls, and then you can finish them together. —Connie Shuff, York, Pennsylvania
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Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake

This upside-down pineapple Bundt cake, which is a variation on the classic confection, couldn’t be easier because it starts with a cake mix. —Pat Remour, East Moline, Illinois
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Pineapple & Macadamia Nut Cake

This delicious cake is one of my own invention. It’s been a huge hit among family and friends and even inspired fierce bidding at a local charity auction! —Greta Kirby, Carthage, Tennessee
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Caribbean Bread Pudding

A completely unexpected dessert from the slow cooker, my bread pudding is loaded with wonderful tropical flavors. I like to garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry—just like a pina colada! —Elizabeth Doss, California City, California
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Roro's Pineapple Cookies

My memories of Christmas always include my mom's pineapple cookies. The kids called her Roro, and we still make them every year to keep her memory alive. You can substitute your favorite flavor of preserves for the pineapple. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
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Pineapple Cheesecake

A co-worker shared the recipe for this easy elegant pineapple cheesecake years ago, and our family has enjoyed it many times since. —Phoebe Carre, Mullica Hill, New Jersey