Storage Options
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The cream cheese frosting makes longer storage at room temperature unsafe.
- Refrigerator: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days. The cake actually improves after a day in the refrigerator as the flavors meld.
- Freezer: Freeze individual slices or the entire unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. The frosting can be frozen separately. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Serving From Cold: For best flavor and texture, remove the cake from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
Summary
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Frosting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours
Servings: 12-16 slices
Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses simple, readily available ingredients
- Incredibly moist cake that stays fresh for days
- Perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors
- Starts with a boxed mix but tastes completely homemade
- Make-ahead friendly for parties and gatherings
- Transportable for potlucks and celebrations
- Appeals to both kids and adults
- Creates a showstopping dessert with minimal effort
- Versatile recipe that can be adapted to different preferences
- Carries a fun conversation-starting backstory
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
- Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
- Fork or wooden skewer (for poking holes)
- Offset spatula or knife (for frosting)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (typically eggs, water, and oil)
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
For the Frosting:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box (typically 350°F/175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix with the ingredients called for on the box (typically eggs, water, and oil).
- Add pineapple: Drain the crushed pineapple, reserving the juice. Add 1 cup of the drained pineapple (about half the can) to the cake batter and stir until well combined.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake according to the cake mix box directions, usually 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the pineapple topping: While the cake is baking, combine the reserved pineapple juice, remaining crushed pineapple, and 1 cup granulated sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Poke the cake: When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and while still hot, use a fork or wooden skewer to poke holes all over the surface, about 1 inch apart.
- Add the pineapple topping: Slowly pour the hot pineapple mixture over the warm cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Allow the cake to cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Make the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Add topping: Sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Success
- Make sure to drain the pineapple well before adding to the cake batter to avoid adding too much liquid.
- Poke enough holes in the warm cake to allow the pineapple mixture to penetrate throughout.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- For the smoothest frosting, ensure both the cream cheese and butter are properly softened to room temperature.
- The cake tastes even better the day after baking, as the flavors have time to meld together.
- Use an offset spatula for the most even and professional-looking frosting application.
- For clean slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe dry between cuts.
- If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar to 3 cups.
Additional Tips or Variations
- Coconut Addition: Add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the batter or sprinkle on top of the frosting for a tropical twist.
- Banana Variation: Add a layer of sliced bananas between the cake and frosting for an Elvis-approved flavor combination.
- Rum Infusion: Add 2 tablespoons of dark rum to the pineapple mixture for an adult version.
- Vanilla Bean Upgrade: Use vanilla bean paste instead of extract in the frosting for more intense vanilla flavor and attractive specks.
- Lighter Version: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and light butter in the frosting, and substitute part of the sugar in the pineapple topping with a sugar substitute.
- Cupcake Format: Adapt the recipe to make 24 cupcakes—poke several holes in each cupcake and spoon the pineapple mixture over them individually.
- Layered Celebration Cake: Bake in two 9-inch round pans, split each layer, and use the pineapple mixture and frosting between layers for a special occasion cake.
- Topping Options: Try toasted coconut, toffee bits, or maraschino cherries as alternative toppings.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
Based on 16 servings:
- Calories: Approximately 380
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 58g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 45g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 8% DV
- Vitamin C: 4% DV
- Calcium: 4% DV
- Iron: 4% DV
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is it called Elvis Presley Cake?
A: While there are several stories, the most common belief is that this was one of Elvis’s favorite desserts served at Graceland. The combination of sweet flavors and rich frosting reportedly appealed to his famous sweet tooth.
Q: Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
A: Fresh pineapple can work, but you’ll need to crush it yourself and may need to add some pineapple juice since you won’t have the canned juice for the topping. Canned pineapple produces more consistent results.
Q: Can I make this cake gluten-free?
A: Yes, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and verify that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Q: My cake seems too wet after adding the pineapple mixture. Did I do something wrong?
A: The cake should be very moist but not soggy. Make sure you’re poking enough holes for even distribution and allow sufficient cooling time for the liquid to be absorbed.
Q: Can I make this cake a day ahead?
A: Absolutely! This cake often tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Just keep it refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting.
Q: How ripe should the bananas be if I’m adding them to the cake?
A: If adding bananas between the cake and frosting (Elvis-style), use firm but ripe bananas that aren’t overly spotted to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
Conclusion
The Elvis Presley Cake stands as a testament to the joy of nostalgic southern baking—unpretentious yet unforgettable. This beloved dessert captures the essence of comfort food while delivering a unique flavor experience that keeps people coming back for “just one more slice.” The genius of this recipe lies in its perfect balance: the sweet pineapple-soaked cake provides a moist, fruity foundation while the creamy frosting adds a rich, tangy counterpoint.
What makes this cake particularly special is how it transforms simple, accessible ingredients into something that tastes truly exceptional. You don’t need to be an experienced baker to create this impressive dessert. The combination of convenience products with fresh touches results in a cake that tastes completely homemade and will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
Beyond its delicious taste, the Elvis Presley Cake carries with it a sense of cultural heritage and shared experience. Whether or not the King himself actually enjoyed this specific recipe, making and sharing this dessert connects us to American baking traditions and the joy of gathering around food with stories to tell. There’s something genuinely heartwarming about continuing this sweet tradition in our own kitchens.
So the next time you’re looking for a dessert that’s sure to impress without requiring professional skills or exotic ingredients, remember the Elvis Presley Cake. Simple to make yet spectacular to serve, it’s the kind of recipe that might just earn a permanent place in your own family’s collection of favorites. After all, any dessert that’s stood the test of time for decades, bringing smiles to generations of dessert lovers, deserves its legendary status.