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Home / Dessert

Preacher Cake

4.84
/5
55 minutes
47 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 06/30/2016

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever!  You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl… no mixer needed!

Who doesn’t love a great cake?  However, some cakes can be complicated and fussy to make… but not this one!  This preacher cake uses staple ingredients, requires NO mixer, and is way less time consuming than most cakes.  Try it and see!

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.comI have to confess… I LOVE cake!  Probably not too much of a shock, seeing as how I label myself the “chunky” chef, right?  As much as I love to eat it, making a big, impressive layer cake takes way more time and attention to fine detail than I’m usually able to handle.

When I want a dessert… I don’t want to have to spend hours and hours creating it!  Sure, layer cakes have the impressive curb appeal, but I think sheet cakes are making a comeback!

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

There’s something so home-y, and so comforting about a classic sheet cake… reminiscent of birthday parties and family gatherings.  This recipe isn’t really mine… I found it years ago on South Your Mouth‘s blog.

Seriously, some great food on there… check it out.  I’ve made this cake numerous times for my family (both immediate and extended), and it ALWAYS gets rave reviews!  I make a few tweaks, which I’ve included in my recipe below.

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

I think summer is the perfect time for a cake like this preacher cake.  It’s light, moist, tropical… not to mention, fuss-free!

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

You might be wondering why I’m calling it a “Preacher Cake”, right?  Honestly, before reading the original recipe, I’d never heard of such a thing.

But from what I can tell, and correct me if I’m wrong, but the name stems from back in the day, when the preacher would call and ask to stop over for a visit.  Naturally, you’d want to be a good host/hostess and serve him something to eat… and that’s where this preacher cake comes into play.

It’s easy and uses regular ingredients you probably have in your fridge/pantry, so you could whip up a homemade dessert with minimal effort 🙂

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

I hope you give this one a try this summer!  It would go perfectly with a meal of Pepper Crusted Bacon Cheeseburgers, Bacon and Brown Sugar Baked Beans, and Mediterraean Pasta Salad.

Some tools I used for this recipe:

Stainless Steel 3pc Mixing Bowl Set with Rubber Grip Handles – I LOVE these mixing bowls and use them daily!  The rubber on the bottom keeps them secure on the counter, and the handles and pour spouts make things really convenient.

Cake Boss 13×9″ Baking Pan – I was leery of this, because I felt like I was just paying for a name, but this is without a doubt, the best cake pan I own!

OXO Good Grips Offset Spatula – Perfect for all your frosting needs!

Baker’s Joy Cake Pan Spray – All of my cakes and baked goods pop right out of the pan with this spray… ZERO sticking!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

Preacher Cake

4.84 from 12 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1 20- oz can crushed pineapple with juice (do NOT drain)
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts divided
  • 1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
  • CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
  • 8 oz package cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2-4 Tbsp heavy cream (amount depends on personal preference heat, and humidity in the air - start with 2 and go from there)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted or whisked to remove lumps

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9" baking pan with non-stick spray (I use Baker's Joy), and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon).
  • In a larger mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to combine well. Mixture will be creamy.
  • Sprinkle in dry ingredients and stir together until just incorporated (when no more streaks of flour remain). Mixture will be very dry and sticky.
  • Add in crushed pineapple, walnuts and coconut and mix until combined. The liquid from the pineapple will transform the mixture into a normal batter consistency.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes. When done, cake should be set in the center, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Set cake pan on a cooling rack and cool the cake, in the pan, until completely cool.
  • MAKE THE FROSTING:
  • In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, butter and vanilla and whisk or beat with electric mixer (if desired), until light and fluffy.
  • Alternate drizzling heavy cream and adding powdered sugar, whisking/beating after each addition, until all sugar is incorporated into the frosting. If frosting is a little thick, add a bit more cream. If frosting is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  • Use an offset spatula to spread frosting over the top of the cake.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup walnuts and a bit of flaked coconut if desired.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

1. If you prefer, you can omit the coconut.
2. Recipe from South Your Mouth

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

Preacher Cake | This light, moist, and tropical preacher cake is the easiest dessert ever! You mix it together with a wooden spoon, in one bowl... no mixer needed! | http://thechunkychef.com

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Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Shirley says

    Posted on 4/19 at 7:31 pm

    It sounds delicious & I’m going to bake it tonight. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Willie says

    Posted on 12/13 at 4:00 am

    Can I use butter instead of oil

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/13 at 8:34 pm

      I’ve only tested this recipe as written. So without testing and retesting it myself, I can’t say for certain if that would work. If you try it, I’d love to know how it turns out!

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    Posted on 11/26 at 5:47 am

    Perhaps it is called Preacher Cake because it is so OMG Good?

    Reply
  4. richelle sickerott says

    Posted on 12/18 at 11:37 pm

    hi, i willtry soon. and if its goid, definitely i will messege u and everyone need to try it…

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    Posted on 12/31 at 7:32 am

    I made this cake yesterday. My first time making and eating a preacher cake. I’m a sucker for these tropical flavors. I made it as a two layer round cake with chopped walnuts on top and coconut on the sides. Huge hit! Thank-you! -Erin

    Reply
  6. Dee's Bake Studio says

    Posted on 9/20 at 12:56 am

    owsm cake!!! Thanks for Sharing !!

    Reply
  7. Shirley Bentley says

    Posted on 9/4 at 1:48 pm

    Can I add small can mandrian oranges 6-8 oz with making to too runny ?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 9/4 at 2:25 pm

      That should work just fine… I’d drain them first though.

      Reply
  8. online cake delivery in Pune says

    Posted on 6/30 at 2:15 am

    i made this cake yesterday and it was so good.i definitely recommend it .
    This looks delicious, and I will be making them for my upcoming housewarming party!

    Reply
  9. Patricia Daniel says

    Posted on 6/24 at 12:41 pm

    I’m about to start this cake for my grown daughters visiting Indiana from Virginia. Hope it’s as easy as you say cause I’m NO baker! Looks scrumptious.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 6/24 at 3:10 pm

      Hi Patricia 🙂 I hope you and your daughters LOVE the cake 🙂 Baking can be complicated, that’s why I like easier cakes like this one 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sarah says

    Posted on 10/26 at 2:25 pm

    So excited to find this recipe! My grandma used to make this. It was called macaroon cake but we referred to it as funeral cake… unfortunately named after the receptions she was often bringing it to. Can’t wait to try it!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/21 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Sarah 🙂 I’ve heard it called that before, as I’ve been to quite a few funerals where it was served. I hope you try it and are reminded of your Grandma 🙂

      Reply
  11. Brandy Myers says

    Posted on 7/8 at 10:04 am

    No mixer? No complications? Looks amazing! You have made a hit with this one!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you Brandy!! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    Posted on 7/6 at 2:56 pm

    This is creative!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:11 pm

      Thanks Megan! 🙂

      Reply
      • Susan Johns says

        Posted on 2/23 at 7:52 pm

        The preacher cake looks and sounds yummy.Do you think bananas in this cake would work.many thanks

        Reply
        • The Chunky Chef says

          Posted on 2/24 at 8:40 am

          Hi Susan.. I think mashed bananas could be a great addition! I believe that makes it into what is commonly called a Hummingbird cake 🙂

          Reply
  13. Beverley says

    Posted on 7/3 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve never heard of the Preacher Cake but so glad I have now. It looks and sounds so moist and delicious. Can’t wait to try it xoxo

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you Beverley! 🙂

      Reply
  14. eat good 4 life says

    Posted on 7/1 at 10:42 am

    This cake looks superb. I need to make something like that for the weekend!! What a great contender.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:44 pm

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Lauren @ Hall Nesting says

    Posted on 7/1 at 7:52 am

    I have a long list too. I think I need to add this to it!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:44 pm

      Glad I’m not the only one with a list 😉

      Reply
  16. Sandi (@fearless_dining) says

    Posted on 7/1 at 12:51 am

    This cake looks heavenly…love all of the coconut!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you Sandi!! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says

    Posted on 6/30 at 10:22 pm

    Oh my!!!!This cake looks so amazing!!! All of the coconut — yum

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks so much Becky! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    Posted on 6/30 at 7:55 pm

    I’ve never heard of a preacher cake but I love the story behind it….and the cake itself. It looks extremely delicious!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you Renee!! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Sheena says

    Posted on 6/30 at 7:55 pm

    I’m such a sucker for anything with cream cheese frosting! Looks like such a tasty cake!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:42 pm

      Thank you Sheena!! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    Posted on 6/30 at 2:14 pm

    I LOVE desserts of any kind (the more butter the better, lol.) This cake looks so lovely, I would probably give my right arm for it!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks Kacey! Desserts are always the best 🙂

      Reply
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