Easy and Indulgent Granny Cake Recipe

Introduction

There’s a reason Granny Cake has stood the test of time—it’s bursting with homey flavors, features a moist, dense crumb, and is ridiculously easy to prepare. This cake brings together sweet pineapple, a crunchy brown sugar and pecan topping, and a warm caramel glaze, making each bite pure comfort. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dessert without a lot of fuss.

Why This Granny Cake is Easy and Indulgent

What makes this recipe truly shine is its simplicity and classic Southern flavors. The combination of canned crushed pineapple and pantry staples means you can whip up this cake any time, no special trips required. The pecan and brown sugar topping bakes right on the cake, creating a decadent, slightly crispy crust, while the warm glaze soaks in and keeps everything incredibly moist. It’s a treat that tastes like hours in the kitchen, but is delightfully doable even on your busiest days.

How to Achieve the Moistest Granny Cake

The key to Granny Cake’s irresistible texture is starting with crushed pineapple in juice—don’t drain it! The extra moisture from the juice seeps into the cake, ensuring a soft, tender crumb. After baking, pouring the warm brown sugar glaze over the hot cake helps it soak in and intensifies the flavors. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature—you’ll be amazed at how each bite just melts in your mouth.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Treat

Granny Cake is delicious on its own, but you can dress it up for special occasions. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra indulgence. For gatherings, slice and serve on a pretty cake stand, and watch as guests return for seconds. This cake travels well, making it an ideal choice for potlucks, school events, or gifts for neighbors and friends.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 12 hearty slices. Each piece averages 350-400 calories, depending on your portion size and any extra garnishes like ice cream or whipped cream. With fruit, nuts, and a made-from-scratch glaze, it’s a sweet treat perfect for sharing.

Easy and Indulgent Granny Cake Recipe (Recap)

A classic Granny Cake is proof that simple pantry ingredients can yield spectacular results. Its moist texture, sweet crust, and gooey glaze make it the ultimate comfort dessert—and a reliable crowd-pleaser for any event.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the undrained crushed pineapple and eggs. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
4. Sprinkle the brown sugar and chopped pecans evenly over the batter.
5. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the topping is golden.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Bring to a gentle boil and let simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
7. While the cake is still warm from the oven, slowly pour the hot glaze over the top, letting it soak in.
8. Let the cake cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

Granny Cake is the ideal make-ahead dessert for your weekly meal plan—it stays fresh for days and pairs well with a variety of meals. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when you’ll bake it and instantly generate a smart shopping list that consolidates your dessert and dinner ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically totals ingredient volumes across all your planned recipes
– Organizes your groceries by section for quicker shopping
– Reduces the risk of forgetting ingredients or overbuying
– Simplifies meal prep and ensures nothing goes to waste

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to compare this recipe’s eggs, sugar, or nuts against your week’s other plans—your shopping list will combine quantities, saving time and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes