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Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake

February 3, 2022 by Marcie Leave a Comment

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​Indulge in the ultimate gluten-free treat with our Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake. This cool and creamy dessert is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make!

Slice of Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake with shredded coconut, pecans, and a cherry on top.

This delicious cake is made up of three delectable layers. The bottom layer is an easy store bought gluten-free vanilla cake mix…doesn’t get easier than that!

Then, topping the cake is a sweetened cream cheese pineapple pudding mixture (it’s finger licking good). Finally, it’s topped off with Cool Whip and sprinkled with sweetened coconut shavings and chopped pecans.

Oh, and don’t forget the optional, but very appropriate, cherry on top!

Up close picture of a fork with some Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake on it.

Whether it’s a special occasion or just a craving for something sweet, this pineapple dream dessert is sure to become a family favorite! You’ll love how quick and easy it is to whip up and how budget friendly it is, too!

Making Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake

Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9×13″ baking dish, set aside.

Cake Layer (Bottom):

Drain pineapple and reserve the juice.

In a bowl, dump in cake mix, eggs, melted butter, juice, and water and blend on medium/high speed until mixture is combined and smooth.

NOTE: If using another brand of cake mix, follow the instructions on the back of package but still use 2 eggs and enough juice and water to equal 1 1/2 cups.

Pour batter into a 9×13″ baking dish and bake at 350° degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool completely before adding the filling layer.

FILLING LAYER (MIDDLE):

Mix together the cream cheese, pudding, and milk until smooth. Fold in pineapple.

Spread filling on cooled cake.

Top Layer:

Dollop Cool Whip all over the top of pudding layer and carefully spread around with a spatula.

Sprinkle unsweetened coconut shavings and chopped pecans on top of the cake. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving.

Optional: Have maraschino cherries on hand so you can add a cherry to each slice of cake.

Slice of Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake with a cherry on top.

Want more summery dessert options? Try these:

Raspberry Pretzel Salad

Easy Lemon Fruit Dip

Classic Lemon Bars

Refreshing Lemonade Cake

Blueberry Cobbler

​Gluten-Free Blueberry-Peach Cobbler 

Fruit Pizza

Gluten-Free Lemon Cupcakes With Raspberry Frosting 

Gluten-Free Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake

Gluten-Free Hawaiian Dream Cake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Chill Time 4 hours hrs
Servings: 16
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 101
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:
  • 1 pkg. Bob's Red Mill gluten-free vanilla cake mix, see note below*
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 c. butter, melted
  • 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, use reserved pineapple juice ONLY for the cake
  • 1/2 c. water
Filling:
  • 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 3.4 oz. pkg. vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 c. milk
  • crushed pineapple from the 20 oz. can
Topping:
  • 1 8 oz. container Cool Whip whipped topping
  • sweetened shredded coconut, as much as desired
  • chopped pecans or walnuts as much as desired

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 casserole dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9×13" baking dish, set aside. 
Cake Layer (Bottom):
  1. Drain pineapple and reserve the juice.
  2. In a bowl, dump in cake mix, eggs, melted butter, juice, and water and blend on medium/high speed until mixture is combined and smooth.
  3. Pour batter into a 9×13" baking dish and bake at 350° degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.
  4. Let the cake cool completely before adding the filling layer. 
Filling Layer (Middle): 
  1. Mix together the cream cheese, pudding, and milk until smooth. Fold in pineapple.
  2. Spread filling on cooled cake.
Top Layer: 
  1. Dollop Cool Whip all over the top of pudding layer and carefully spread around with a spatula.
  2. Sprinkle unsweetened coconut shavings and chopped pecans on top of the cake. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving.
  3. Optional: Have maraschino cherries on hand so you can add a cherry to each slice of cake. 

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2.3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Notes

NOTE: If using another brand of cake mix, follow the instructions on the back of package but still use 2 eggs and enough juice and water to equal 1 1/2 cups.

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Copyright © The Tickled Tastebud. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to like back to this post for the original recipe and directions.

Filed Under: Desserts, Gluten-Free

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