Every family has those “hidden gem” recipes—the ones never found in glossy cookbooks but always present at holidays, potlucks, or cozy Sunday lunches. Pineapple Bake is that treasure in my home. Sweet, buttery, and wonderfully simple, it tastes like something straight out of a nostalgic Southern diner.

Think of it as a cross between bread pudding and pineapple cobbler: golden edges, a custardy center, and juicy pineapple that makes you reach for just one more spoonful.

 

I first learned this recipe from my grandmother, who kept it scribbled on a worn index card. She’d bake it for Easter brunches or special gatherings, but just as often on an ordinary weekday—“because the pineapple was on sale.” That’s the charm of Pineapple Bake: humble enough for everyday baking, yet elegant enough for the dessert table.

As it bakes, butter, sugar, and pineapple fill the kitchen with a sweet, irresistible aroma. Once out of the oven, the crisp top gives way to a tender, tropical interior. Serve it warm with ice cream or chilled the next morning for breakfast (yes, dessert for breakfast is absolutely allowed). Pineapple Bake is comfort food that never goes out of style.

Pineapple Bake Recipe
Ingredient Amount Notes
Crushed pineapple 1 can (20 oz / 560 g), undrained —
Unsalted butter ½ cup (115 g), melted —
Granulated sugar 1 cup (200 g) —
Eggs 4 large, beaten —
White bread 5 slices, cubed (about 2½ cups) —
Vanilla extract 1 tsp —
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease an 8×8-inch (or similar) baking dish.
Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine pineapple (with juice), melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Stir until smooth and fully blended.

Add the Bread
Gently fold in bread cubes until evenly coated.
Bake
Pour mixture into prepared dish.
Bake 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
Cool & Serve
Let rest 5 minutes before serving warm.
Serving Ideas
🍽️ As a side with baked ham
🌞 Sweet brunch casserole
🍨 Dessert topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
✨ Simple, nostalgic, and comforting—Pineapple Bake is proof that the best recipes are often the ones passed down quietly through generations.