Easiest Pineapple Cake

 Ahhhh, General Conference, my second favorite (and bi-annual!) holiday of the year! Technically it isn't a holiday, but it sure feels like one. We get to stay home from church in our jammies (or brand-new comfy jeans, yay!), bake lots of treats and listen to our church leaders speak to us (on TV, radio, or internet) on every subject under the sun. I love how my home feels during Conference. I love that my boys already have a favorite apostle. And I love how much I learn. I don't talk about my faith very often on here, that isn't really one of my goals. But if you're ever intrigued, I do have a link to more info over there on the left! Now I will leave you with this cake and go make rice krispie treats. :)

Easiest Pineapple Cake (adapted from Bunny's Warm Oven)
Printable Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar

zest from 1 lemon
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 - 20 oz can of crushed pineapple (undrained) in it's own juice - not syrup
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional: and if you love nuts, go ahead and double them!)

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c confectioners' sugar

pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet to toast in the oven while it heats. (You can skip this step if you want, but I think it makes a huge difference!) 

Combine all cake ingredients and HALF of the nuts in a large bowl and mix till combined. (That's it, can you believe it??) Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan and bake at 350 for 35 - 40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes while you make the frosting.

For the frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla together until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and salt. Frost the cake while still warm (but not HOT) Sprinkle with the rest of the nuts and serve!

This is not a Pinterest-pretty cake. This is a quick and easy, simple and scrumptious, homey and humble one-bowl cake. Sometimes that is all you need!

I love the warm-frosting thing. It melts into the cake and drips down the side, creamy and sweet and fabulous. Tell me that doesn't look awesome!!

Texture-wise, this is closer to banana bread or a dense carrot cake. Its hefty and sweet, stuffed with toasty nuts and tangy pineapple, with the zip of lemon zest to accent the pineapple. This one is going on my repeat list, I loved it!! It's a good thing I only saved myself one piece before whisking it off to the office!