Easy 3-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake Recipe
This incredibly easy pineapple angel food cake transforms a classic dessert with just one simple addition. While traditional angel food cake can sometimes taste a bit bland, adding crushed pineapple creates a moist, tropical twist that elevates this light and airy cake to new heights. With only three pantry-friendly ingredients and less than an hour from start to finish, this recipe proves that sometimes the simplest desserts are the most satisfying.
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Why This Recipe Works
The science behind this simple cake is fascinating. Angel food cake relies on whipped egg whites for its signature light texture, but the boxed mix simplifies this process. The crushed pineapple adds natural enzymes that help tenderize the cake while contributing moisture and subtle sweetness. The fruit’s acidity also helps stabilize the cake’s structure, creating a perfectly balanced dessert.
Ingredients
- Angel food cake mix – Provides the base structure and eliminates the need for separating eggs
- Crushed pineapple with juice – Adds moisture, tropical flavor, and natural sweetness
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor profile and complements the pineapple
How to Make Pineapple Angel Food Cake
In a large bowl, stir together the box of angel food cake mix, vanilla, and crushed pineapple, including the pineapple juice in the can.
Pour batter into an ungreased 9 x 13-inch cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes in a preheated oven or until the top becomes golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool then slice and enjoy!
Chef’s Notes
The key to perfect angel food cake is allowing it to stick to the pan during baking. This might seem counterintuitive, but the batter needs to climb the sides of the pan to achieve its characteristic height and texture. Never grease the pan or use parchment paper.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Room Temperature Storage: Store covered for up to 2 days at room temperature
- Refrigerator Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator
- Freezing: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
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3-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix – use one step mix
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple packed in its own juice, do not use packed in syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the angel food cake mix, vanilla, and can of crushed pineapple including the juice in the can by hand and place into a ungreased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Notes
- a dollop of whipped cream and shredded coconut
- a dollop of whipped cream and some crumble macadamia nuts
- a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry
What if your at a high altitude?
I have made this at high altitudes using the same recipe and cooking steps.
Curious about not greasing the 9×13 pan .
Angel food cakes do not cook in greased pans. The angel food cake needs to cling to the side of the pan to rise.
I’m a chocoholic……how would a 4th ingredient of mini chocolate chips taste???
You could try it, I am not sure how it would taste, my personal preference would not to be combine chocolate and pineapple.
I have made this cake several times. This one I found that had the vanilla in it. Oh my. So so good. I was wondering does the cake need to be refrigerated? Thanks
I hope you enjoy the cake! It does not need to be refrigerated.
I found out the hard way, everytime I serve this cake, I print is out because everyone ALWAYS wants the recipe! Even at church our I baked it the first time our Pastor came and asked me for my recipe, as did most of the people it was served to that day!
I love it when that happens!
I used strawberries instead of pineapple, it’s was delicious
Hi Donna, did you use frozen strawberries? Just wondering what you used to substitute the liquid from the crushed pineapple?
Can I use a tube pan to make this?
Yes, you can.
Do you add the water for the cake mix and the pineapple with juice
No, just the cake mix, vanilla, and the juice in the pineapple.
Yummy!
I haven’t had this cake in a long time. Thanks for the memory.
I haven’t had this in years. I served it this weekend with from fresh ripe peach slices.