Dolly Parton Pineapple Coconut Cake

Whip up a tropical treat with this easy 3-ingredient Dolly Parton Pineapple Coconut Cake! Bursting with bold coconut flavor and juicy pineapple, it’s a simple, delicious dessert perfect for summer—or any time you're craving something sweet and sunny.

Doctoring up Dolly

Sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it? “Doctoring up Dolly.” But that’s exactly what I did with this simple cake recipe. I started with a simple box of Dolly Parton Coconut cake mix. It’s really, really important that you use the Dolly Parton brand of coconut cake because it has a delicious strong coconut flavor. 

Add to that mix just a couple of interesting ingredients and you’ll end up with a cake you’ll be proud to serve, and not just on a hot summer’s day!

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you’ve probably already figured out that I love the Dolly Parton cake mixes. My Dolly Parton Coconut Cookies with Lemon glaze aren’t just a personal favorite. . .they’re a fan favorite! They are over-the-top delicious! 

And can we talk for a moment about my Dolly Parton Banana Bread Cookies? They start with a box of Dolly’s Banana cake mix. 

One thing that sets Dolly’s mixes apart is their flavor profiles. That coconut cake tastes like coconut. Not in an artificial way, either. You can skip the optional coconut flakes in this recipe if you don’t have any on hand because the coconut flavor is absolutely perfect, as is! 

Without further ado, let’s dive in! I’m going to show you just how simple it is to make this delicious 3-ingredient cake! 

Dolly Parton Pineapple Coconut Cake Ingredients

You will find a full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need to make this simple cake! 

• 1 box Dolly Parton Coconut Cake
• 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple 
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup coconut flakes (optional)

As I mentioned above, the coconut flakes are totally optional! 

How to Make Dolly Parton Pineapple Coconut Cake

This comes together so easily you don’t even need a mixer, friends! Just a simple mixing bowl will do. 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Prep a bundt pan with non-stick baking spray. Set aside. 

Add cake mix, 1 large egg, and a full 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple (with juice) to a mixing bowl. 

(If you’re adding the optional coconut flakes, add those, too!)

Stir until everything is fully incorporated. 

Spoon the (thick) batter into the prepared bundt pan. 

Smooth out the batter. 

Place in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake springs back to the touch. 

Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. 

After 10 - 15 minutes, turn out the cake directly onto the wire rack to continue cooling. 

Before serving, you can sprinkle with powdered sugar or add a simple glaze. 

Here’s the glaze I went with: 

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon coconut extract

If you prefer, you can reserve a bit of pineapple juice to use in place of the water and coconut extract. 

I didn’t have any coconut on hand or I would have sprinkled some on top of the cake. 

Slice and serve! 

Store leftovers in the refrigerator. You can freeze this cake to thaw later, if you prefer. 

What to Expect from this Recipe

This is a simple doctored cake mix, just three ingredients (maybe four, if you opt to add additional coconut). And trust me when I say, this is one of the most delicious tropical cakes you’ll ever taste! It’s over-the-top delicious, without any additions. But toss in pineapple and your taste buds will be zinging and your heart will be singing, I promise! 

There’s something so tropical, so bright about this flavor combination! I’ll be honest: I’m on a diet right now (avoiding carbs like the plague) but I did have a bite of this one. Just so I could tell you how it turned out, of course. I love the addition of coconut in the glaze on top, so you might consider that addition, as well. All in all, I’d say this is a simple but perfect easy dessert. (Thanks, Dolly!) 

Variations to this Recipe

You know me, folks: I can’t leave recipes alone. I love to add to them! Here are some ways to dress this one up: 

1. Flavor Enhancers:

• Coconut extract (in the batter) – for even deeper coconut flavor.
• Pineapple extract – a few drops will intensify the tropical vibe.

2. Texture Boosters:

• Toasted coconut flakes (on top or folded in) – for crunch and added flavor.
• Chopped pecans or macadamia nuts – for a buttery, nutty contrast.

3. Toppings & Finishes:

• Cream cheese glaze – slightly tangy and rich, it pairs beautifully with pineapple and coconut.
• Whipped cream and a cherry – channeling piña colada vibes!
• Fresh pineapple chunks or pineapple rings – arranged on top for visual appeal and flavor.

4. Fillings or Layers (if you split it):

• Pineapple curd – spread between layers or drizzled over slices.
• Coconut pudding or pastry cream – for a creamy middle layer.

5. Presentation Ideas:

• Serve with vanilla or coconut ice cream – for an indulgent dessert.
• Dust with powdered sugar and lime zest – for a bright, zippy finish.

Other Pineapple Favorites from Out of the Box Baking

Pineapple Coconut Cake with Lime (a different fruity twist that’s similar. . .but different!) 

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: A traditional doctored cake mix, just like grandma used to make! 

Pineapple Upside-Down dump cake: This easy Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake is cobbler-like in texture and it's truly one of the most flavorful desserts you'll ever eat. 

That’s it for this post, friends! 

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you're at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.