Elvis Presley Cake

I can’t help falling in love … with this decadent cake! Elvis Presley cake is a step above an ordinary sheet pan cake since it has a layer of sweetened pineapple, which adds flavor and moisture, as well as a thick topping of cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans. Crowd-pleasing desserts like this cake are handy for summer parties or to take to office potlucks. You’ll be tempted to keep this sweet cake to yourself, but don’t be cruel: Cut a big slice of this Elvis Presley sheet cake recipe for me!

What is Elvis Presley cake?

Elvis Presley cake—also known as Jailhouse Rock cake—is part of the family of 13×9 potluck desserts and is also a type of poke cake. The recipe starts with a boxed yellow cake mix that’s baked and then poked all over with a skewer. Next, a layer of hot sweetened crushed pineapple soaks into the cake. It’s finished with cream cheese frosting and plenty of chopped pecans.

How exactly this cake came to be named for the King of rock ‘n’ roll is unclear, as it does not appear on lists of Elvis Presley’s favorite recipes. My best guess is that this association between Elvis and pineapple came from his 1961 movie Blue Hawaii, where he played the reluctant heir to his family’s pineapple packing company. There’s plenty of pineapple talk in the movie and even a line in one of Elvis’s songs: “I’m a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple.” Another nod to Elvis: This cake has pecans and cream cheese frosting, two components of many favorite southern cake recipes.

Ingredients for Elvis Presley Cake

• Boxed cake mix: Pick up your preferred yellow cake mix brand, and don’t forget to get the ingredients called for on the package, like eggs and oil.
• Crushed pineapple: The star of this dessert is the canned crushed pineapple that’s poured onto the cake while it’s still hot so the flavor can soak in.
• Brown sugar: A small amount of brown sugar simmered with the pineapple makes the fruit syrupy before it graces the top of the cake.
• Rum: This is an optional ingredient, but it’s one that pairs beautifully with the pineapple. Use light rum for a mild flavor or dark rum for a stronger flavor.
• Cream cheese: Soften the cream cheese first so it will blend smoothly into the frosting with no lumps.
• Butter: Butter is part of the creamy frosting, and it should also be softened to room temperature before it’s added to the mixer bowl.
• Confectioners’ sugar: When making frosting, this type of sugar is ideal because it dissolves quickly and smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: This ingredient completes the frosting. Your favorite vanilla extract brand will do the trick.
• Chopped pecans: Add them as they are or toast the nuts first to bring out their flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the cake

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter into the baking dish. Bake the cake as directed on the box or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 2: Cool and poke

Move the baking dish to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely. Then, use a skewer to poke holes over the entire cake.

Step 3: Add the pineapple layer

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Pour the crushed pineapple and brown sugar into a small saucepan. Stir the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Continue stirring the pineapple constantly for another minute or two until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum (if using).

Immediately spoon the hot pineapple mixture over the top of the cake so that the juices seep into the holes. Distribute the pineapple pieces evenly over the surface. Allow the cake and pineapple to cool to room temperature.

Step 4: Make the frosting

Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until they’re smooth and creamy, two to three minutes. Then, beat in the vanilla extract. Add the confectioners’ sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Once all the sugar is in, beat the frosting on high for two to three minutes until it’s light and smooth.

Step 5: Frost and chill

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Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the pineapple layer of the cake. Some pieces of pineapple will get pulled to the top; that’s okay. Finally, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the cake. Cover the cake with storage wrap and refrigerate it for at least four hours or overnight. Then slice and serve.

Editor’s Tip: Chilling makes this cake moist and melds the flavors, so allow enough time for this step.

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Elvis Presley Cake Variations

• Add toasted coconut: To complete the tropical theme, toast coconut in the oven. Let it cool, then blend it into the frosting. You can also sprinkle it over the top.
• Try other cake mixes: You can make the cake with a white cake mix instead or a fruit-flavored cake mix like pineapple or orange.

How to Store Elvis Presley Cake

The Elvis Presley cake recipe tastes the best when it’s kept cold and covered. Wrap the baking dish with storage wrap or transfer leftover cake to an airtight container. Store the cake in the refrigerator.

How long does Elvis Presley cake last?

When stored in the fridge and tightly covered to keep the cake and fruit moist, your Elvis Presley cake will last up to five days.

Elvis Presley Cake Tips

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Can I make an Elvis Presley sheet cake recipe into a layer cake?

Yes, you can make Elvis Presley cake into a tall layer cake for a more festive presentation. Divide the cake batter between two greased round cake pans and bake them according to the package directions. Let the cakes cool and then remove them from the pans.

To make the cakes easier to handle and decorate, skip the poking step and add the toppings in a different order. Make the pineapple-sugar mixture and let it cool. Place the first cake layer on a platter or cake stand and frost it with the cream cheese frosting, add the pecans and then spread the cooled pineapple filling over the top. Add the next cake layer, frost it and top it with pineapple. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top. Cover the cake and chill it before serving.

Can I make Elvis Presley cake ahead of time?

This Elvis Presley cake recipe is one of the best overnight refrigerator desserts since it tastes best when it’s thoroughly chilled. After frosting the cake and adding the nuts, cover the cake pan tightly with storage wrap and place it in the fridge. You can do this up to two days in advance. Serve slices of the cake while they’re cold.