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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Sauces

    Pineapple Filling

    Published: Jul 5, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe - Pin Recipe
    A coconut cake has a layer of pineapple filling under the frosting.

    This easy pineapple filling for cakes or tarts is made with canned pineapple in just minutes. Pair it with a coconut cake mix and cream cheese frosting for a deliciously easy coconut cake with pineapple filling!

    A slice of coconut cake with cream cheese frosting and shredded coconut has a layer of bright yellow pineapple filling.

    Here's a secret: I actually really love using boxed cake mixes for birthday cakes and special celebrations.

    As long as the frosting is made from scratch, no one can tell the difference!

    My other great secret is to add a homemade filling to spice things up a bit.

    This super easy pineapple filling is perfect for adding to a boxed cake mix cake with homemade cream cheese frosting and shredded coconut.

    Jump to:
    • Why This is the Best Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make It
    • How to Use the Filling on a Cake
    • Pineapple Cheesecake Variation
    • More Canned Pineapple Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This is the Best Recipe

    With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time, you can have a rich and juicy pineapple filling that adds a burst of fresh fruit flavor to your layer cake or sheet cake.

    My recipe is the best because it uses canned pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapple. The tidbits shape has a much better texture and will give your cake a lovely taste of pineapple in every bite.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients to make pineapple filling for cakes.

    You only need these 3 ingredients to make homemade pineapple filling:

    1. Canned Pineapple Tidbits: SO much better than crushed pineapple.
    2. Sugar
    3. Cornstarch

    That's it! Easy peasy.

    How to Make It

    To make the pineapple filling, simply add all 3 ingredients to a small saucepan and stir them together.

    The pineapple filling ingredients are all added to a small saucepan.

    Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and stir it as it cooks.

    When the pineapple juices come to a boil, cook for just 2 minutes longer or until it thickens.

    The pot is on a burner and the pineapple filling mixture is coming to a boil.

    Transfer the pineapple filling to a clean mixing bowl to let it cool before using on a cake.

    At this point, the pineapple is nice and softened and is easy to break up a bit with a spoon or food chopper tool right in the bowl.

    I hand crushed my pineapple tidbits just a little so that the chunks of pineapple were just a bit smaller but there was still a nice bite of pineapple in my cake.

    A crushing tool is used to break up the pineapple chunks.

    How to Use the Filling on a Cake

    Be sure to completely cool the pineapple filling before trying to spread it on a layer cake or sheet cake.

    You can still use it in a 9 x 13-inch sheet cake with cream cheese frosting if you spread the filling evenly over the cake like this:

    The sheet cake has a layer of pineapple filling before frosting.

    Then put the cake pan in the freezer for one hour. This will help stabilize the pineapple filling layer.

    Drop large spoonfuls of cream cheese frosting over the top of the chilled cake and then carefully spread them evenly over the top.

    • Vanilla cupcakes have been topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting and sit on a cake plate. There's a frosting piping bag on the counter in front.
      Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

    I added shredded coconut over the frosting layer for a delicious pineapple coconut cake that tasted amazing chilled in the fridge.

    A coconut sheet cake has a layer of pineapple filling under the cream cheese frosting.

    Pineapple Cheesecake Variation

    This method would also work great with a store bought cheesecake.

    Spoon this pineapple cheesecake topping over the entire top of the cheesecake.

    You could frost it with Cool Whip and toasted coconut.

    More Canned Pineapple Recipes

    Looking for more easy ways to use canned pineapple?

    You'll love my pineapple marshmallow salad or pistachio fluff for a no bake dessert.

    The creamy pina colada fruit dip is a delicious treat for a party, too!

    • A serving of pineapple ambrosia has a spoon for serving.
      Pineapple Marshmallow Salad {No-Mayo Ambrosia}
    • A ruffled bowl of pina colada dip has shredded coconut on top and is surrounded by fresh strawberries, pineapple, and gingersnap cookies.
      Creamy Piña Colada Fruit Dip
    • A large serving bowl of pistachio fluff has chopped pecans sprinkled over the top and a blue napkin on the side.
      Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad

    📖 Recipe

    A slice of coconut cake with cream cheese frosting and shredded coconut has a layer of bright yellow pineapple filling.

    Pineapple Filling

    5 from 2 votes
    This easy pineapple filling recipe uses canned pineapple tidbits for a burst of pineapple flavor in a rich and decadent cake. Pair with a boxed coconut cake mix and cream cheese frosting for a simple dessert.
    TOTAL TIME 6 minutes
    PREP TIME 1 minute
    COOK TIME 5 minutes
    YIELD 1 Filling for 9x13-inch cake or 2-layer cake
    PIN RECIPE FOR LATER PRINT RECIPE NOW

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 (20 oz) can of pineapple tidbits
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

    Instructions

    • Add the entire contents of the canned pineapple to a small saucepan. Add the sugar and cornstarch and stir everything together.
    • Cook over medium-high heat until the juices begin to boil. Cook for 2 minutes longer or until thickened.
    • Transfer the pineapple filling to a mixing bowl and use a spoon or chopping tool to roughly break up the pineapple chunks a bit.
    • Cool the filling completely before adding to a cake.

    Recipe Notes

    To Use the Filling on a Sheetcake:

    If you want to add the pineapple filling to a sheet cake in a 9 x 13-inch pan and add frosting over the filling, spread the completely cooled pineapple mixture evenly over the sheetcake and freeze for 1 hour.
    This helps the pineapple mixture stabilize so that you can easily drop large spoonfuls of frosting over the filling and spread it into an even layer without mixing it into the pineapple.
    COURSEFrosting
    CUISINEAmerican
    AUTHORTiffany Dahle

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    A photo collage shows a piece of coconut cake with pineapple filling next to the cake pan with the filling spread over the top.

    More Dessert Sauce Recipes

    • Easy Cheesecake Toppings for Delicious Desserts
    • A pitcher of strawberry sauce sits on a plate next to fresh strawberries.
      Strawberry Sauce {for Cheesecake, Pancakes & More!}
    • A piece of lemon pie with lemon curd filling.
      Make-Ahead Lemon Curd
    • Roasted cherries in a baking dish.
      Roasted Cherries {Sweet OR Savory!}

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

    More about me →

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