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Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Cream Frosting

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Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Cream Frosting. Birthday cake worthy. Father’s Day worthy. A low day in the middle of the week worthy.

Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting

As I pondered what to make my dad for Father’s Day, several inspirations and considerations were whirling through my head. My Honey Whipped Cream from the Blueberry Honey Pie recipe , Kelly’s stunning Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake; my grain-free Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies; and even more.

In my mind’s eye these were multi-colored, high-speed thoughts … going up and down, left and right at disturbing speeds, much like what one experiences when taking a ride on Space Mountain in Disneyworld. All those thoughts seemed to be accelerating and colliding as I got into bed on Saturday night. In fact, it took quite some time to settle down and go to sleep.

I was hoping the tried and true advice to “sleep on it” would do the trick and it did. Oh, I still waffled a bit on Sunday morning as I was looking for a quick and easy as well as tasty solution, so I queried my gfe Facebook friends that morning. “Should I make a layered version of pineapple upside down cake or a different version of chocolate chip cookies?”

Responses were few; after all it was Father’s Day. Most voted for pineapple cake. One person voted for the chocolate chip cookies and I briefly thought about going that route. Mr. GFE and I love those cookies, but it was Dad’s day, Mr. GFE was away, and I checked the pantry to find only about ¼ cup of chocolate chips.

So pineapple cake it was going to be. That was just fine as my sister had reminded me earlier that pineapple upside down cake is one of my father’s favorites.

I envisioned a pineapple cake slightly larger than my friend Kim’s mini versions … not a full size cake, but not ramekin size either because I also wanted to make my cake a layered one so I could use frosting, specifically coconut frosting. Dad loves all things coconut, too!

With frosting, it wouldn’t have to be a true pineapple upside down cake would it? No, that seemed like such a waste of that pretty, glazed, pineapple-laced surface. The whirling thoughts resumed and I suddenly remembered a pineapple cake I’d made years earlier. I’m fairly certain that the original recipe was one that had been posted on the celiac listserv.

After a few dead ends in locating the recipe, I found it on our oldest computer. I was very pleased to see that the recipe was naturally dairy free, too. A few thoughts and notes later and I had recreated the recipe to be healthier with almond flour, and tastier by using some brown sugar and maple syrup (thank you for that latter idea, Kim!). I also used Kim’s tip on adding coconut oil to my baking dishes and preheating all before adding the batter.

I used my old, but still functional (and highly valued to me) Corning Ware Sidekick dishes, which are 5 inches in diameter. I made two identical pineapple layer cakes and frosted them with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting.

This frosting couldn’t be simpler. It’s a variation of the Coconut Whipped Cream that Diane created last year for our Oscar Progressive Dinner Party. I’ve made this whipped cream numerous times with slight variations and it always works perfectly and really it couldn’t get any easier for homemade gluten-free, dairy-free topping/frosting.

One simply whips the “coconut cream” that forms on the top of a can of coconut milk that has been refrigerated at least overnight and adds sweetener. Honey, agave nectar, confectioner’s sugar, and maple syrup all work well. (I’ve even added spices like cinnamon before to this whipped cream.) This is a very versatile topping that can be used any way whipped cream would be used. I kept with the maple syrup theme following Kim’s guidance and used very little of it as I was adding already sweetened coconut flakes. I followed my friend Ricki’s lead and only frosted the tops of each cake layer so the lovely golden brown sides of the cake show.

Recipes for both the cake and frosting are shown below. One of these cakes disappeared very quickly at Mom and Dad’s house. The reviews?

Dad: “That’s some good cake. Thank you!”

Mom: “That is excellent cake.”

Sister: “Yummy!! Reminds me of Hummingbird Cake.”

Niece: “That’s really good!”

Me: “I should have kept one of these cakes for myself!”

Incidentally, Dad got a really big kick out of the Father’s Day card I gave him, moving it into the living room to re-read more than once after we had finished eating. So I thought I’d share that with you, too.

Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting and a goofy card–both that Dad loved–made for a sweet and memorable Father’s Day! And this cake works for Go Ahead Honey’s June theme of You Love Him, So Spoil Him and my friend Iris’ Birthday Cake Challenge.

Father's Day Card Back

Maybe I’ll even make this cake again for Dad’s birthday. I’m pretty sure he won’t protest. Orrrr I could make it for my own birthday in a few weeks … now that’s an idea!

Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Frosting Recipe

Gluten-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting

Yield: One 5-inch double-layer cake

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pineapple Layer Cake with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Inactive Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

Pineapple Layer Cake Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups almond flour
  • 2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour mix*
  • 1 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 20-ounce can crushed unsweetened pineapple, with its own juice

Maple Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut "cream," from a chilled can of full-fat coconut milk (read more below)
  • 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons maple syrup (adjust to desired sweetness, may need more if using unsweetened coconut flakes)
  • Handful of coconut flakes (I used sweetened)

Instructions

Cake Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. If using small baking dishes, add about ½ tsp coconut oil to each turning them carefully in your hands to ensure oil coats sides. If using a 9 x 13 pan, add about a teaspoon of coconut oil and tilt and coat sides of pan the same way. While mixing ingredients, place your baking dish(es) in preheated oven for 5 minutes.
  2. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. (FYI: A wooden spoon will work fine for all of your mixing.)
  3. Add eggs and mix well.
  4. Add maple syrup and pineapple with juice. Stir the latter just well enough so that ingredients are mixed.
  5. Pour batter into prepared, hot baking dish(es). (Be cautious. It’s easy to forget that dishes are already hot and will burn you if you touch them.)
  6. If using smaller baking dishes, bake for about 25 minutes. If using a 9 x 13 pan, bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. (Check at 30 minutes.)
  7. Remove from oven and cool for about 5 minutes. Use a heat-proof spatula to loosen cake layers, remove layers from dish(es) and place on wire rack. Cool completely.

Frosting Instructions

  1. The day before, chill one can of coconut milk, your mixing bowl, and beaters in refrigerator. (I try to keep 2 cans of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator at all times for making ice cream and whipped cream. I’ve made the frosting without having the bowl and beaters chilled, but it works best if they are.) Skim about one cup of the "coconut cream" off the top ... that's what I'm calling the thick, non-liquid substance that forms when you refrigerate full-fat coconut milk for at least 24 hours in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Add the coconut cream to a chilled bowl. Whip coconut cream with chilled beaters until it reaches its whipped cream state. Gradually add maple syrup. Whip again until it turns to whipped cream with at least soft peaks remaining when you stop whipping. Stir in coconut flakes or sprinkle them on top of whipped cream after spreading on each cake layer.

Notes

Ramekins can be used if you want a much smaller layered cake or even several single-layered cakes with frosting.

If you’d prefer to use gluten-free all-purpose flour, omit the almond flour and use 2 cups of gluten-free all-purpose flour. If using gluten-free all-purpose flour, you may need to add an additional 5 minutes of baking time. When made with almond flour, the cake (or layers) will be thinner than if made with gluten-free all-purpose flour. They will also be denser and moister.

I cheated (as I usually do) and placed my layers in the freezer for a few minutes to expedite cooling. While I’ve never made this cake egg free, I believe it will work with the usual egg substitutions.

I used a new brand of coconut milk, which didn’t yield my usual fluffy whipped cream. Your frosting results may look slightly different and hopefully better!* I still can’t tolerate many of the healthier, gluten-free flours; e.g., sorghum, buckwheat. Therefore, my Two-Ingredient Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Mix uses other ingredients. But feel free to use whichever gluten-free all-purpose flour mix you use most often for your baking.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Shirley Braden
Category: Desserts

Originally published June 21, 2011; updated April 20, 2024.

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Comments

    • Shirley says

      Hey Jen–Great to see you here at gfe! 🙂 Thanks so much, dear. I did love all the flavors in this recipe … especially that frosting. 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

  5. Ina Gawne says

    Awww…lovely story Shirley – you are so lucky to still have your dad with you! What a delightful and delicious looking cake…your dad is lucky to have a daughter and family that love him so!

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Christine–Thank you! It was a fun little cake to make. I think this pineapple cake will make it back into regular rotation now that I’ve rediscovered it. 😉 It’s wonderful plain even or with a sprinkling of confectioner’s sugar (or healthier equivalent). 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  7. Gigi says

    Shirley,

    I LOVE the Father’s Day story. What a sweet post – I’m glad you shared it! And I’m glad you shared that frosting recipe, too. I’m going to pick up the ingredients and give that a try this weekend… I’ve been working on a new frosting recipe and so far, it’s just not what I’m looking for. But let’s be honest… I want cream cheese frosting! 🙂 That is the hardest part of dairy free for me – no frosting for a delish carrot cake!

    xo,
    Gigi

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Gigi–Obviously I’m behind on comments. 🙁 Many thanks for your feedback! Coconut whipped cream is so easy to make and adapt. I’m betting you can make a version that will satisfy your desire for cream cheese frosting. 😉

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

    • Shirley says

      Thanks, AndreAnna! I find it very easy to add a little almond flour in place of gluten-free all-purpose flour. I love the flavor and texture it adds. 🙂

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

  10. Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) says

    What a beautiful post and tribute to your Dad, Shirley! I absolutely LOVE your version of this cake! And thank you for sharing my mini cakes!! Your version sounds perfect, though! I will definitely be making them! 😉 Your Dad is a lucky guy. You are so blessed to still have him around to share Father’s Day with!
    xoxoxoxoxoxox
    k

    Reply

  11. glutenfreeforgood says

    Great post, Shirley! Sniff, sniff. Makes me miss my dad. We are lucky ladies to have such special dads. Love your card. And that cake looks stunning. Wish I had a piece. =)

    I’m crazy about that coconut frosting recipe and chilling the coconut milk first is brilliant. Pineapple and coconut make such a wonderful mix of tastes.

    Off to make a rhubarb pie (I’ll save your recipe for later). Just got a bunch of rhubarb from my CSA. Your sweet treat inspired me!

    Melissa
    xo

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Melissa-Sorry to make you miss your dad. Father’s Days can be so difficult after one’s dad is gone.

      Thanks for all the kind words, dear. I’ll look forward to your pie recipe later. 🙂

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

  12. Tia @ Glugle Gluten-Free says

    Beautiful cake…except the coconut. But that’s just me. A very sweet post. I love all of the pineapple posts going around. Looks like I need to find me some pineapples. 😉

    Not in the same town as my dad this year, so I missed him. But Max and I did our best to spoil Sam.

    xo – Tia

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Tia–I keep forgetting that you don’t do coconut. Easy to leave it out in this recipe though. You can use any topping/frosting. Sorry you didn’t get to see your dad on Father’s Day. Hope you get to see him soon. Love that you spoiled “Max’s dad” instead. 😉

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

  13. Deanna says

    Yum! Iris’ birthday cake challenge is one I meant to do this month, too. But my best friend’s birthday is today and I ended up making the tried and true pumpkin cake for her (which I posted a while ago). I might have to make another cake just for Iris, though. 🙂

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Deanna–I love pumpkin anything, but thre’s still no pumpkin in our stores. 🙁

      Must check to see if you made Iris a cake! ;-0

      Shirley

      Reply

  14. Kay Guest says

    My mouth was watering looking at your photo of your great cake. Please let me know if you ever open a bakery, I will be your best customer.
    Love your Father’s Day card too!
    Kay

    Reply

  17. Maggie says

    Gorgeous cake Shirley! I love the maple-sweetened coconut whipped cream. Mmmm, your Dad is a lucky man. So when exactly is your birthday Ms. Shirley?

    Reply

  20. Krista says

    This is an awesome Cake! I am just coming around to gluten-free due to headaches, and stomach issues. The mixture bubbles from the interaction of the baking soda and pineapple. I added a cup of toasted organic coconut (just place coconut dry in a frying pan and shake it around.) My son loves this cake and doesn’t even need to know that it’s gluten-free. At seven all he knows is that it is sweet and moist and delicious!

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Krista–Welcome to gfe and gluten-free living! 🙂 I’m so happy that you and your son enjoyed this recipe so much. Toasting the coconut is a great idea! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Shirley

      Reply

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