Why Hawaiian Wedding Cake?
Hawaiian Wedding Cake is often chosen for its light, refreshing flavor profile, making it an excellent choice for warmer weather or a tropical-themed celebration. The combination of pineapple and coconut provides a natural sweetness, while the chopped pecans or walnuts add a wonderful crunch, making each bite a satisfying experience.
What makes it even better is the frosting. Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting is an ideal topping because it combines the richness of cream cheese with the lightness of whipped cream. It’s fluffy, not too heavy, and complements the tropical flavors in the cake without overpowering them.
How to Make Hawaiian Wedding Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or use non-stick baking spray with flour).
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and coconut extract (if using). Beat until well combined.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Begin adding the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice). Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
- Add the Pineapple, Coconut, and Nuts: Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans or walnuts (if using). Make sure the pineapple is well distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you’re using one larger pan, you may need to extend the baking time by 10-15 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.