Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe

As I was whisking together this tropical sunshine in a bowl, I couldn’t help but feel like I was about to bake my own little piece of paradise—these pineapple-infused cupcakes are the perfect escape! 🌴🍍✨

These Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes are the essence of simplicity. A yellow cake mix forms the base, combined with sweet, juicy crushed pineapple.

There is nothing more tropical, more bright, and more flavorful than these little cups of sunshine. The cupcakes deliver a perfect pineapple punch and are definitely not a pale copy of the tropics.

They are indeed island-worthy cupcakes.

Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe Ingredients

• Yellow cake mix: Provides carbohydrates for structure and sweetness.
• Crushed pineapple: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and tropical flavor.
• Eggs: Supply protein and help bind ingredients for a fluffy texture.
• Vegetable oil: Contributes moisture and a tender cupcake crumb.

Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 box of yellow cake mix (approximately 15.25 ounces)
• 1 can (20 ounces) of crushed pineapple in juice
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil

How to Make this Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe

1. Set your oven to bake at 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cupcake pan by placing paper liners in each of the wells.

2. In a big mixing bowl, mix together the yellow cake mix, crushed pineapple with its juice, eggs, and vegetable oil.

3. Blend the components together with an electric mixer or a whisk until they reached a state of smoothness and seamless combination.

4. Separate the batter into the cupcake liners evenly, filling each about two-thirds full.

5. Put the pan of cupcakes into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

6. After they have been baked, take the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in their pan for approximately 5 minutes.

7. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack with care, for the sake of their delicate structure, and allow them to cool completely.

8. If you like, you can frost the cupcakes with your favorite icing, or you can just eat them plain like I did for a “cupcake in a mug” version of the simpler fall treat.

9. Any leftover cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for up to three days.

10. These light and fruity cupcakes are meant to be served and enjoyed!

Cupcake ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup milk; 1 cup (about 1 large) mashed banana; and 1/2 cup (about 1 1/2 large) chopped strawberries.

Total time: 45 minutes.

Time to prepare: 20 minutes.

Time to bake: 25 minutes.

Yield: 12 cupcakes.

Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Cupcake pan
3. Paper cupcake liners
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Electric mixer or whisk
6. Measuring cups
7. Spatula
8. Toothpick
9. Wire rack
10. Airtight container

FAQ

• Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?You can indeed use white or even pineapple-flavored cake mix as a substitute for something with a different spin.
• Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?Using fresh pineapple is an option, but for this recipe, the ideal choice is canned pineapple. This is because canned pineapple provides an extra level of moisture as a result of the juice it contains, which is perfect for this recipe.
• Can I make these cupcakes egg-free?Absolutely, it is possible to substitute eggs with something like applesauce or a flaxseed mix, if one is looking for an egg-free alternative.
• How can I store these cupcakes?Keep these cupcakes in an air-tight receptacle at room temp for up to 3 days or in the chill box for up to 7.
• Can I add additional toppings or fillings?Definitely! Adding cream cheese icing, coconut flakes, or chopped nuts can make for an even more delightful experience.
• Is it necessary to drain the pineapple?No. For the best moisture and flavor, use the pineapple that has been crushed, along with its juice.
• Can I make a cake instead of cupcakes with this recipe?You can just pour the batter into a greased cake pan and then bake it for less time than I indicate if you want to make cake rounds. If you want to make a cake in a pan, adjust the baking time so that the cake rounds are done when the timer goes off.

  I use a layer cake for this recipe, but if you want to bake a cake in a pan, use the same batter in a lower pan that can go in the oven.

Four Ingredient Pineapple Cupcakes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Should you lack yellow cake mix, you can replace it with white cake mix or whip up your own using these ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
If you would rather, you can replace crushed pineapple with an equal amount of diced or finely chopped fresh pineapple.
Substitute melted butter or canola oil for vegetable oil, and you’ll get a slightly different flavor. But if you want to stay close to the recipe’s intended taste, that’s what you should stick with.

Pro Tips

1. Pineapple Flavor Boost For an extra burst of pineapple flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of pineapple extract to the batter. This will enhance the fruity taste without altering the texture.

2. Moisture Maximizer Substitute half of the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce. This will add moisture and a bit of natural sweetness, making the cupcakes even more tender.

3. Topping Texture Sprinkle shredded coconut on top of the batter before baking. This will give the cupcakes a deliciously chewy and tropical topping once baked.

4. Zesty Twist Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet pineapple, adding complexity to the flavor profile.

5. Frosting Pairing These cupcakes pair wonderfully with a light cream cheese frosting. The slight tanginess of the frosting complements the sweetness of the pineapple cupcakes beautifully.