35 Pineapple Desserts That Will Take You To The Tropics
This must be just like living in paradise. And I don't wanna go home.
Digging into our favorite pineapple desserts makes us feel like we've got the wind in our hair, sand in our sandals (and car, and beach bag, and...), and that we're on a faraway tropical island. Which is why we've rounded up our favorite pineapple treats that will take you to that island state of mind. Because, let's be real, when it comes to pineapple, we'll take it any way you cut it: chopped in a sundae, sliced for a pineapple upside down cake, or blended into a refreshing Dole Whip. After you check out all 35 of these pineapple desserts (like pineapple upside-down cheesecake and fried piña colada rings), you'll be feeling like you're living on island time.
If your pineapple is less than ripe, don't worry. Grilling pineapple is the best route for achieving a caramelized, juicy result, lackluster pineapples included. Add a dollop of homemade ice cream to make a grilled pineapple sundae, and no one will be the wiser. Intimidated by cutting a whole pineapple? No sweat, we've got all the easiest tips and tricks for cutting up a pineapple. And if you just simply don't want to bother with one, we totally support you skipping chopping up a pineapple all together. Many of these recipes require canned pineapple over fresh (especially if you're baking). Win!
Got leftovers? It would be a crime to not blend it up for a batch of our favorite classic piña coladas, or add it to one of these savory pineapple dinners.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A retro dessert that's still perfect today. Flipping the cake may seem difficult, but as long as you do it while it's warm, you'll be golden. Want another chance to go visit the upside down? Try our citrus upside-down cake.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Piña Colada Cookie Cups
The filling tastes like a cross between a slice of cheesecake and a piña colada. If you're bringing these to a party with little ones, feel free to skip the booze.
Get the Piña Colada Cookie Cups recipe.
Pineapple Coconut Cake
This fluffy coconut cake is filled with an easy pineapple curd and finished with a cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut flakes. We love the bigger, unsweetened flakes, but if you prefer sweetened coconut for the outside, it works just as well. The cake uses coconut milk to get extra flavor and it makes the cake quite rich. Since the cake batter uses oil instead of butter it stays soft and is easy to whisk together too!
Get the Pineapple Coconut Cake recipe.
Dole Whip Cupcakes
Dole Whip is the most refreshing thing after waiting in insanely long lines all day. Well, now you don't have to travel to Disney for it, and the cupcake version is even better.
Get the Dole Whip Cupcakes recipe.
Piña Colada Truffles
We much prefer dessert over cocktails, but luckily these easy truffles are the best of both worlds. They taste just like your favorite piña colada and are the perfect way to end a summer evening.
Get the Piña Colada Truffles recipe.
Copycat Dole Pineapple Whip
This iconic frozen treat will make all your Disney dreams come true.
Need even more Dole Whip fun? Try our Dole Whip mimosas.
Get the Copycat Dole Pineapple Whip recipe.
Granita
Hailing from Sicily, classic granita ranks among the most refreshing desserts ever, up there with snow cones and Popsicles. Simple to make and easily modified, it’s perfect on its own as a light palate cleanser or dressed up with whipped cream and toppings. This pineapple version is big on tropical flavors, with heavy notes of vanilla and toffee thanks to a splash of rum and a scoop of dark brown sugar.
Get the Granita recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake
Because these two desserts belong together. The creamy cheesecake layer makes this classic cake perfectly decadent. You're going to flip for this cheesecake.
Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars
You just might want to put this pineapple curd on everything this summer. One bite will transport you to the beach, piña colada in hand. 😎
Get the Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Boozy Dole Whip Pops
Dole Whip is one of our favorite ways to get through the summer heat. But turning it into both a boozy and easy handheld treat? We had to go there.
Get the Boozy Dole Whip Pops recipe.
Grilled Pineapple Sundaes
Grilling helps caramelize the sugars in pineapple before topping with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream. Say "aloha" to your go-to summer dessert.
Get the Grilled Pineapple Sundaes recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
We love bringing this kitschy, retro fruit salad to all our summer BBQs. This is not your grandma's ambrosia!
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Our world would be literally upside down without a classic pineapple upside-down cake on our BBQ table. We also love this Neapolitan Bundt cake!
Fireball Grilled Pineapple
We've taken one of our all-time favorite boozy snacks, Fireball Pineapple, and made it even more fiery. The smoky flavors from the grill plus a pinch of cayenne makes this boozy snack insanely addictive. Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Fireball Grilled Pineapple recipe.
Fried Piña Colada Rings
Meet our favorite new way to eat pineapple: Fried pineapple rings are soaked in rum and then dredged in coconut milk and shredded coconut to taste just like your favorite piña colada.
Get the Fried Piña Colada Rings recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Pancakes
We love pineapple upside-down cake, so we took that love and turned it into pancakes! The brown sugar will make the bottom nice and caramelized, just like it would in the cake! We love that it makes the pancake a little crunchy.
Dole Whip Pops
Cool off with these 3-Ingredient Dole Whip Pops. The best part is that the recipe works with your favorite frozen fruit, like strawberries or mango, for a different flavored pop.
Get the Dole Whip Pops recipe.
Banana Split Kebabs
This fun dessert is a healthy, kid-friendly spin on a classic. You could even grill these before topping with chocolate for a smoky-sweet char.
Get the Banana Split Kebabs recipe.
Kitchen Sink Sundae
A 28-ingredient ice cream sundae that couldn't be easier to assemble (and eat)?! Be still, our hearts.
Get the Kitchen Sink Sundae recipe.
Banana Split Lasagna
This no-bake dessert is hands down the most fun way to eat a banana split. So easy to customize, we love swapping in different homemade ice creams and adding a layer of magic shell.
Get the Banana Split Lasagna recipe.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
