Lush, sweet, and impossible to forget, Elvis Presley Cake is a dessert that lives up to its legendary name. This rich, nostalgic treat starts with a simple yellow cake base and ends with an unforgettable pineapple glaze and creamy frosting.
It’s a dessert rooted in Southern comfort, offering a perfect harmony of flavors and textures—tender cake, fruity glaze, and velvety frosting. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s a fan favorite.
The Main Stars Behind Elvis Presley Cake
- Yellow cake mix – The foundation for this classic dessert, offering warmth, moisture, and a beautiful golden crumb with very little effort.
- Crushed pineapple in juice – Sweet and tangy, this tropical fruit soaks into the cake, infusing each bite with juicy brightness and an irresistible glazed finish.
- Granulated sugar – Enhances the pineapple glaze, balancing the tartness and helping it caramelize slightly as it sets into the cake.
- Cream cheese – Rich, tangy, and silky, it forms the heart of the frosting, giving it an indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Salted butter – Adds a touch of salt to offset the sweetness while helping create a smooth, spreadable frosting.
- Powdered sugar – Light and sweet, it blends effortlessly into the frosting, ensuring a soft, fluffy finish with every spoonful.
- Chopped pecans (optional) – For a delightful crunch and nutty contrast, these Southern staples add a final touch of personality to the topping.
How to Make Elvis Presley Cake – A Quick Look
Start by preparing your boxed yellow cake mix as directed and baking it in a 9×13-inch pan. While the cake bakes, simmer crushed pineapple and sugar into a warm glaze. Once the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the top and pour the hot pineapple mixture over it, allowing the glaze to soak in.
Let the cake cool completely. Then, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, gradually mix in powdered sugar, and stir in the chopped pecans. Spread this dreamy frosting generously over the cooled cake and chill it for at least two hours before slicing.
Frosting Secrets & Flavor Twists
The frosting is the showstopper here—rich, creamy, and just the right amount of tangy. For extra flair, you can swap pecans with toasted coconut or even a sprinkle of crushed banana chips, nodding to Elvis’s love of peanut butter and banana.
Don’t skip chilling the cake before serving. It allows the pineapple to fully meld with the cake, and the frosting to set beautifully, making for a firmer slice and a more flavorful bite. If you’re looking to take it further, try adding a layer of thinly sliced bananas under the frosting for a fruity surprise.
Keeping the King’s Cake Fresh
To enjoy every bite of your Elvis Presley Cake, store it covered in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to five days. If you want to freeze it, do so without the frosting, then thaw and frost just before serving for the best texture. When reheating isn’t necessary, simply allow a chilled slice to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for maximum flavor.
The Ultimate Elvis Presley-Inspired Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Ingredients required to prepare boxed cake typically eggs, oil, and water
- 20- ounce can crushed pineapple in juice avoid heavy syrup
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
- 1 cup sugar
- 8- ounce block cream cheese softened to room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the yellow cake mix as directed on the packaging, incorporating the specified eggs, oil, and water, then pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake accordingly.
- As the cake bakes, combine the crushed pineapple with its juice and sugar in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves, which takes approximately 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Once the cake is baked and still hot, perforate the surface evenly using a fork.
- Distribute the warm pineapple glaze across the top of the cake, smoothing it out to ensure even coverage.
- Allow the cake to cool thoroughly to room temperature before proceeding with the frosting.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until the texture is smooth, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, adding it in small portions while mixing until a creamy consistency is achieved. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure even mixing.
- Fold in the chopped pecans, if using.
- Spoon the frosting in generous dollops over the cooled cake, then use a spatula to spread it evenly over the entire surface.
- Cover the frosted cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
