Amish Pineapple Cake

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This is cake is a common confection found in Amish cookbooks. In fact, it is so common that it often goes by the name "Amish Cake."

So, the question is, why is this "Amish Cake?"  This is a cake recipe that can be found in a gazillion Amish cookbooks, in Amish bakeries and, yes, in Amish homes.  I've tasted this cake a time or two and it is delicious.

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• 🍍 Amish Pineapple Cake
• 📋 Instructions
• 🍍 More Amish Pineapple Recipes
• 🖨️ Full Recipe

When I've asked Amish cooks why this is called "Amish cake" it is usually met with a collective shrug.  Often something will just "catch on" in an Amish community but its reasons and genesis will become lost to history.

For instance, you'll be met with the same collective shrug if you visit the Berne, Indiana Amish community and ask why the buggies there don't have a roof.   The reason for the tradition has long been lost to history. 

I'm sure this particular cake was appealing because of it is simplicity and the reality is that you could - and can - buy a can of pineapple at most Amish bulk food stores.   So the citrus splash added to the cake was probably historically a fun, inexpensive way to brighten up a gloomy winter day or add a squirt of summer to a day.

The ingredients for this are very basic, which is true to Amish tradition: canned pineapple, vanilla, and a handful of other ingredients. You can use a stand mixer, an electric mixer, or a good old-fashioned wooden spoon.

The cake is great by itself, but the homemade cream cheese frosting really is what sets it apart. If you really feel a need you could sprinkle some walnut pieces into the frosting. Or, if you are like my children, you can add some colorful sprinkles to the cake. They like to add sprinkles to almost everything.

This cake serves a lot of people and is very moist and flavorful. You can add some brown sugar to the cake or add some pineapple juice to the frosting if you really are wanting to get a taste of citrus.

🍍 Amish Pineapple Cake

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1- 1 pound 4 ounce can pineapple
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup nuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ pound butter or margarine
• 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

📋 Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and can of pineapple (not drained). Add eggs, vanilla and nuts.
2. Pour into baking pan and bake.
3. Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes Temp: 350° F Pan Size: 13x9x2
4. Cream Cheese Icing. Mix 8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ pound butter or margarine, 1 ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread over cooled cake.

🍍 More Amish Pineapple Recipes

Amish Pineapple Bread

Pineapple Cream Cheese Gelatin Salad

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

🖨️ Full Recipe