Gluten-Free Coconut Cream and Pineapple Cream Puffs

Coconut and pineapple go together like peanut butter and jelly, if you ask us. In this just-so-happens-to-be gluten-free dessert, the tropical teammates star in the filling. In between two cloud-like cream puff halves, add a scoop of silky coconut cream, pieces of sweet-tart grilled pineapple, and toasty flaked coconut.

Pineapple Upside-Down Coffee Cake

In other breakfast-or-dessert news, allow us to introduce you to what might just be your new favorite coffee cake recipe. This mash-up creation takes showy pineapple upside-down cake and fuses it with a warmly spiced morning cake batter that’s infused with pineapple juice for even more tropical flavor.

Test Kitchen Tip: Feel free to make this a day in advance; the sweet caramel topping sets up beautifully and it can hang out on the counter at room temperature for up to three days.

Pineapple-Filled Macarons

We always feel like we’ve teleported to Hawaii when we snack on these gluten-free French macarons. The sandwich cookies feature so many ingredients that remind us of those tropical islands: macadamia nuts, coconut, and pineapple (crushed and juice)—and no plane ticket or time zone change is required to make them yours. There's also no need to be intimidated by the appearance of these delicate desserts; we’ll coach you through how to make both the delicate toasted nut- and egg white-based cookies and the luscious creamy pineapple filling. 

Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops

Skip the store-bought ice pops and freeze up your own. You’ll save money, sugar, and with this pineapple dessert recipe in your back pocket, you’ll also be able to cool off with a treat that can double as a hydration-booster. Coconut water, fresh mint, lime juice, and fresh pineapple team up to make these pops an all-natural water and electrolyte amplifier. We’ve received glowing reviews from fans who declare these the sticks of summer.

Hummingbird Cake with Caramel Frosting

In Jamaica, where this dessert is said to have been created, this is called a doctor bird cake (after the national bird, a scissor-tail hummingbird). Stateside, this cake recipe has been particularly popular in the South since the 1970s, where we know and love this banana and pineapple spice cake as hummingbird cake. This feels like a very apt name considering it flies off any dessert spread we share it on—especially when we top the moist crushed pineapple- and mashed banana-infused cake with swooshes of salty caramel cream cheese frosting.

Double-Coconut and Pineapple Cream Tart

Coconut cream pie is one of the most popular coconut desserts for great reason. The sweet and nutty fruit and the fluffy, toasty meringue are irresistible partners. Here, we make the dessert even more dreamy and tropical by starting with a macadamia nut tart crust and adding crushed pineapple to the cream of coconut filling.

Pineapple-Carrot Cupcakes

With crushed pineapple, shredded carrots, and walnuts in the mix, we often convince ourselves that this pineapple dessert is nutritious enough to eat for breakfast. That said, the warm baking spices and cream cheese filling and frosting help these petite pineapple-carrot cakes step into decidedly dessert-y territory.

Test Kitchen Tip: To keep the cupcake batter consistency light in texture and not too juicy, drain the crushed pineapple in a fine-mesh sieve and use a wooden spoon to press out the excess moisture.

DIY Pineapple Whip

This theme park favorite can now be yours at home any time of year. It’s actually such a breeze to freeze a batch of this pineapple dessert that we find ourselves whipping it up during the heat of summer and the chill of winter when we’re in the mood for some warm weather energy. Crushed pineapple, lemon and lime juice, pineapple juice, and frozen whipped topping are all you need to get going on this frozen dessert.

Pineapple Chiffon Cake

Richer than angel food yet lighter than pound cake, chiffon cake has a sweet spot in our hearts for being the goldilocks of cake consistencies. Chiffon cakes like this call for egg whites, egg yolks, and oil, and this pineapple dessert comes by its tropical moniker honestly. The cake itself includes unsweetened pineapple juice while the buttercream highlights crushed pineapple.

Pineapple Galette

Think of a galette like pie’s free-form, less fussy cousin. These pastry-lined creations can be filled with sweet or savory elements. On the sweet side, berries or stone fruit often get the glory, but we’re firm believers that it’s high time that pineapple had its turn. Alongside brown sugar and vanilla, pineapple slices make this sunshine-y dessert stand out and earn rave reviews at brunches, potlucks, and after dinner.

Pineapple Cake Roll

If we could turn back time…oh wait, we can thanks to this retro recipe that originally appeared in a 1960s edition of the Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book! The clever method—the crushed pineapple “filling” bakes right with the cake—and the delicious results of this cake roll prove that some things are timeless.

Hummingbird Bread

This quick bread recipe is equally delicious for breakfast or dessert. Each bite is loaded with crushed pineapple, mashed bananas, coconut, and toasted pecans. A cream cheese icing adds the perfect amount of sweetness.

Million Dollar Cake

The combination of pineapple and mandarin orange adds just the right amount of fruit flavor to this nostalgic dessert. Start with a boxed mix and you can have this easy pineapple dessert on the table with just 25 minutes of prep.

Banana Split Yogurt Bark

Reimagine the classic ice cream shop dessert as a grab-and-go snack. The base layer is made with Greek yogurt and vanilla pudding mix. Top with jam, canned pineapple, banana, peanuts, and chocolate. Don't skip the maraschino cherries on top!

Million Dollar Pie

This pineapple dessert is best served the day after you make it. As the pie sits in the fridge, the flavors of coconut, pineapple, and orange before more intense and delicious. Top with a combination of toasted coconut and pecans.

Banana Split Bread

This bread machine loaf is filled with the flavors of a classic banana split. In addition to pineapple, toss in chocolate chips, chopped cherries, and mashed banana. Serve the finished loaf with your favorite jam and butter.

Hummingbird Dump Cake

A dump cake is an easy dessert that's made with fruit filling and cake mix. The fruit mixture is made with crushed pineapple, bananas, and chopped pecans. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.