Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Pineapple (Easy 9×13 Recipe)

If you're looking for an old fashioned carrot cake recipe with pineapple, this is the one I come back to every single time. It’s soft, super moist, and baked in an easy 9×13 pan, just like the classic church potluck cakes we all grew up with.

This is my go-to when I need an easy 9×13 carrot cake recipe with pineapple that can feed a crowd without a lot of extra work.

Oh, and if you love desserts made with crushed pineapple, you might also like my mandarin orange cake.

Let's just get this out of the way.

My favorite cake is old-fashioned carrot cake. I'll take a sheet cake any day of the week over birthday cake or even double chocolate cake. Coming in at a close second is a mandarin orange cake, which also has pineapple.

There's something about the spice of the cinnamon, the earthy sweetness of the carrots and the lightness of the pineapple in this recipe that evoke all the right feels, you know???

You can get those lovely flavors in carrot cake cookies and carrot bread, too.

And I've gotta give my Mom props for sharing this recipe with me. When my Dad heard I was making it, he knew what was coming down the pipeline and he promptly put in an order for a piece.

I was happy to deliver! 🙂

I made this carrot cake in a 9x13 pan for a few reasons. First, it's easy to frost and to serve. And second, it's easier to transport for special occasions.

You know, like Thursdays.

Around here, this is the kind of cake that shows up at Easter, potlucks, and just about every church basement gathering.

Ingredients

• eggs
• white sugar
• vegetable oil
• all-purpose flour
• salt
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• carrot - you can use shredded or grated carrots, your choice
• crushed pineapple - you'll need to use the canned variety, not fresh pineapple
• chopped walnuts

For the homemade cream cheese frosting recipe:

• cream cheese, at room temperature
• butter
• powdered sugar
• vanilla extract

Do You Drain the Pineapple for Carrot Cake?

Yes, drain the crushed pineapple before adding it to the batter. This keeps the cake from becoming too wet while still giving you that signature moist texture and flavor.

How to make Pineapple Carrot Cake:

First, preheat the oven and grease your pan. Pretty basic stuff, right?

Then, in either your stand mixer or your handheld mixer, combine eggs, sugar & oil.

In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients.

Tip: This is a good time to set out your cream cheese and butter to soften, because it takes a while.

Add dry ingredients to your egg mixture and mix well to incorporate. Then, a cup or two at a time, add your pineapple, nuts and carrots. Mix it up and then pour the cake batter into your prepared pan.

That's it! Feel free to sniff the pan before you put it in the oven. There's something about the spices that smells SOOOO GOOD!

When it's done cooking, let it cool completely before you try to frost it. Melted frosting is not a good look.

How to make Cream Cheese Frosting:

I'll warn you, this takes a pound of powdered sugar. Yep, you heard me right, a pound. But in the defense of powdered sugar, it does dissolve into practically nothing. Once you taste it, your worries will go right out the window!

Mix the cream cheese and butter until combined, then gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla.

Tip: Don't dump in all at once unless you're a fan of major kitchen cleanup.

Beat the ingredients until it's smooth and easy to spread.

Be sure to take a teaspoon of two as a sample, just for quality control. You never can be too careful....

Recipe variations & tips for you:

• Add additional chopped walnuts to the top of the frosted cake, if desired.
• Add about ½ cup raisins to batter if you'd like.
• Substitute pecans for the walnuts
• Make the cake recipe into carrot cake cupcakes.
• When you cut the cake, drag the knife all the way through. This will keep crumbs from popping up and adhering to your frosting.

This pineapple carrot cake makes 15 generous sized servings.

If you love carrot cake flavors but want something a little more grab-and-go, my carrot cake cookies are always a hit.

Can I Make This Carrot Cake Without Pineapple?

You can, but the texture will be slightly different. Pineapple adds moisture and sweetness that gives this cake its soft, tender crumb.

More dessert recipes

If you like this recipe, you'll also love

Pumpkin Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Mom's Apple Slab Pie

Scotcheroo Bars

If you make this old fashioned carrot cake with pineapple, leave a recipe rating or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

Recipe