Elvis Presley Cake Recipe
This Elvis Presley Cake is an irresistible retro dessert that celebrates everything indulgent and comforting about classic southern sweets. Imagine a lush yellow cake drenched with tangy pineapple, then topped with a cloud of cream cheese frosting and a shower of crunchy pecans. With every forkful, you taste that harmonious blend of sweet, tart, creamy, and nutty—no wonder it’s called the Elvis Presley Cake! It’s a crowd-pleaser for potlucks, birthdays, or just an excuse to treat yourself to a legend-worthy dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering everything for Elvis Presley Cake is refreshingly fuss-free—each ingredient adds its own magic to the final result. From the sunshine-bright pineapple to the silky cream cheese frosting, these staples pack in flavor, color, and unbeatable texture.
- Box yellow cake mix: The base for this cake—convenience and classic flavor in one go. Be sure to have the eggs, oil, and water as called for on the box!
- Crushed pineapple (with juice): Adds moisture, tang, and a burst of sunny flavor that soaks right into every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Lends just the right sweetness to the pineapple topping, balancing its tartness.
- Cream cheese (softened): For that luxuriously tangy frosting Elvis Presley Cake is famous for—let it reach room temp for easy mixing.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and smoothness to the frosting; soft butter blends best!
- Powdered sugar: Keeps your frosting fluffy and light, melting seamlessly with the cream cheese and butter.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash rounds out the flavors and adds deep aromatic warmth.
- Chopped pecans (optional): Bring a buttery crunch and signature Southern finish to your Elvis Presley Cake.
How to Make Elvis Presley Cake
Step 1: Bake the Yellow Cake
Prepare your yellow cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake it until golden and springy. This reliable shortcut gives you a light, flavorful base—and keeps things easy when a cake craving hits!
Step 2: Cook the Pineapple Topping
While the cake is baking, empty the crushed pineapple (with juice) and granulated sugar into a saucepan. Stir over medium heat, bringing it all to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, letting the mixture thicken just a bit—your kitchen will smell fantastic at this point!
Step 3: Soak the Cake with Pineapple
When the cake comes out, don’t wait—grab a fork or a skewer and poke holes all over the top. Then slowly pour the warm pineapple mixture evenly across the surface. This step is what makes Elvis Presley Cake so uniquely moist and bursting with flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Cool the Cake
Patience pays off here. Let the cake cool to room temperature; this sets the pineapple layer and ensures your frosting glides on like a dream. Slicing too soon is tempting, but hold off just a bit longer!
Step 5: Make the Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting
Blend together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat until your frosting is smooth, fluffy, and irresistible—this is the finishing touch that takes the Elvis Presley Cake to superstar status.
Step 6: Frost and Top with Pecans
Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over your cooled cake, making sure to coat every little corner. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans for that perfect buttery crunch. If you want to go nut-free, it’s just as delicious without.
Step 7: Chill and Serve
Pop your cake into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour—this helps all the flavors meld together and makes each slice beautifully clean. When it’s time to serve, you’re guaranteed smiles and requests for seconds!
How to Serve Elvis Presley Cake
Garnishes
For an eye-catching touch, garnish your Elvis Presley Cake with a few extra pecans scattered on top or along the edges. Fresh pineapple wedges or a sprinkle of toasted coconut are playful, tropical options too. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a pretty, bakery-worthy finish. No matter the garnish, this cake always turns heads!
Side Dishes
The richness of Elvis Presley Cake pairs especially well with something cool and simple on the side. Think a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, a small bowl of fresh berries, or even a generous mug of strong hot coffee. These sides balance out the cake’s sweetness and make every bite feel like a real occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve Elvis Presley Cake as generous squares on a platter for big parties, or use a round biscuit cutter to create elegant circular servings for a slightly fancier vibe. Individual trifle cups layered with cake, pineapple, and frosting make adorable picnic desserts. For birthdays, top each piece with a festive maraschino cherry—the King would approve!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftover Elvis Presley Cake into an airtight container. Refrigerator storage (up to 4 days) is key; it keeps the frosting set and the cake as moist as ever. It’s one of those rare bakes that tastes even better on day two!
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and pop into a freezer bag. The cake holds up beautifully for about 1 to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. For best results, add the chopped pecans after thawing so they keep their delightful crunch.
Reheating
While Elvis Presley Cake is delicious straight from the fridge, you can take the chill off by letting slices rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. If you want a slightly warm treat, microwave individual pieces (without pecans) for about 10 seconds, but keep in mind the frosting should just soften, not melt.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade yellow cake instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite made-from-scratch yellow cake recipe, it can step right in for the box mix. Just be sure to bake it in a 9×13-inch pan so the cake-to-topping ratio stays perfect.
What if I don’t like pecans—can I substitute another nut?
Of course. Walnuts or almonds bring a similar texture, or you can simply leave the nuts off altogether. The cake is still stunning without them, especially for those with nut allergies.
Does Elvis Presley Cake really need to be chilled before serving?
Chilling isn’t strictly required, but it’s highly recommended. The cold intensifies the flavors, firms up the frosting, and makes every slice easier to cut and serve. Most fans agree: overnight is best!
Can I make this cake ahead of time for a party?
Elvis Presley Cake is a host’s dream for make-ahead desserts. You can fully assemble it the day before, chill, and serve when ready—it only gets moister and more flavorful as it sits.
How do I keep the frosting from getting lumpy?
Always start with room-temperature cream cheese and butter, and sift your powdered sugar if it’s clumpy. Beat them together until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl to catch every bit. This way, you’ll have a dreamy, lump-free topping every time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re eager for a slice of nostalgia and pure comfort, Elvis Presley Cake is calling your name. It’s easy enough to whip up any time, but special enough for anyone worthy of a treat straight from the King’s own playlist. Give this cake a try—you’ll see why it’s an enduring favorite and deserves a place in your dessert rotation.
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Elvis Presley Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes cooling and chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Elvis Presley Cake is a delightful retro dessert featuring a moist yellow cake soaked in a sweet pineapple syrup and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. This indulgent treat is perfect for any occasion and guaranteed to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for on the box)
Pineapple Topping:
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Cake: Prepare the yellow cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top if using. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
While the cake is baking, combine crushed pineapple (with juice) and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened. Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the top. Pour the warm pineapple mixture evenly over the hot cake, spreading it to cover completely. Let the cake cool to room temperature.
Notes
- For best flavor, make the cake a day ahead and chill overnight.
- The cake stays moist and flavorful for several days when stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
