Name: Church Cake with Pineapple, Cream Cheese, and Cool Whip Topping Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (7 oz) Jiffy banana muffin mix; 2 eggs; 2/3 cup milk; 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature; 1 (6 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix; 3 cups cold milk; 1 (16 oz) Cool Whip, defrosted

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Introduction

Church Cake is a delightful, layered dessert featuring a moist banana muffin base topped with creamy pudding, tangy pineapple, and fluffy whipped topping. It’s an easy-to-make recipe perfect for gatherings and potlucks, delivering a sweet and refreshing treat everyone will enjoy.

A close-up of a square piece of dessert with three layers being lifted by a woman's hand from a clear glass dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light tan, spongy textured cake soaked with a syrupy liquid. The middle layer is a smooth, pale yellow custard that looks creamy and thick. The top layer is a fluffy white whipped cream spread evenly with soft peaks. The dessert piece is thick and moist, showing a clear divide between each layer, and the background is softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 (7 oz) Jiffy banana muffin mix
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 (6 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 (16 oz) cool whip, defrosted

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the Jiffy banana muffin mixes, eggs, and 2/3 cup milk until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
Step 3: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish before adding the topping layers.
Step 5: For the topping, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 3 cups cold milk until smooth, then gently fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese until fully combined.
Step 7: Spread the drained crushed pineapple evenly over the cooled cake, covering it edge to edge.
Step 8: Spread the cream cheese and pudding mixture evenly over the pineapple layer.
Step 9: Top the layered cake with an even layer of defrosted cool whip.
Step 10: Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or up to overnight, to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh pineapple chunks for a more natural texture, but be sure to drain excess juice to avoid a soggy cake.
Substitute vanilla pudding with banana or coconut flavor for a fun twist.
For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the cool whip layer before chilling.
If you don’t have a banana muffin mix, a yellow or vanilla cake mix can be used instead for a slightly different flavor.

Storage

Store the Church Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping it chilled helps maintain the creamy texture of the topping. When ready to serve, you can let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Avoid freezing as it may affect the texture of the topping layers.

How to Serve

The image shows a slice of a three-layer dessert on a white plate. The bottom layer is a light tan, crispy, and textured base. The middle layer is a smooth, creamy, pale yellow custard. The top layer is a thick, fluffy white whipped topping with gentle ridges on the surface. In the background, part of the glass baking dish with the remaining dessert is visible on a white marbled surface with a blue and white cloth underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake can be assembled a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to blend beautifully and makes serving easier for busy events.

Is there a way to make this dessert less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, consider using sugar-free pudding mix and light or reduced-sugar cool whip. You can also rinse the pineapple briefly to remove some of the syrup before draining.