Pineapple Delight Cake

Original Recipe from:  Kay Johnson-Tomblin

This cake is just delicious!  Served cold, it has a light, refreshing taste that will delight your taste buds.  A potluck favorite with all my friends, frequently requested by the host/hostess. 

I have always made this cake exactly as directed; however, Pam has come up with a few variations. Pam likes to make cupcakes and then top as the original recipe states.  She has also makes it with sliced strawberries instead of the pineapple and cherries.  Through her experimentation I know realize that you could put any kind of fruit on the top and it would be just as awesome.  Try it like it is, or experiment a little….make it your!  Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 yellow cake (box cake or from scratch, whichever you prefer)  Check out my Yellow Cake recipe.

1 small package vanilla Jell-O Instant Pudding (I use sugar free)

1 cup milk

9 ounce Philadelphia Cream Cheese (I use Neufchatel, 1/3 less fat), at room temperature

8 ounce Cool Whip, thawed

1 small can crushed pineapple (in natural juice)

10 Maraschino Cherries

Directions

Bake and cool the cake as directed in a 9”x13” baking pan.  Keep cake in the pan. 

Blend cream cheese and milk with mixer on medium speed.

Add pudding and mix thoroughly for 2 minutes. 

Fold in Cool Whip

Spread frosting over the cake.  Set aside.

Drain pineapple well.

Slice maraschino cherries in half.  Place on top of frosted cake.  I do five rows of four cherries in each row, but you can arrange them however you like.

Sprinkle crushed pineapple around the top of the cake.

Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Cupcake Variation:  We often make this recipe as cupcakes.  Perfect for a child’s birthday party.  Make the recipe as directed, pour into cupcake tins and bake.  After cupcakes are chilled, frost and top with a maraschino cherry and some pineapple.

Strawberry Variation:  My daughter just made the cupcakes and topped them with sliced strawberries.  She reports they were awesome and the kids actually liked them better than the pineapple and cherry version.  They look delicious….I’ll have to try strawberries next time!