COCONUT PINEAPPLE LOAF CAKE

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When the winter chill is well set in and its bone rattling cold, do you dream of summers (even if it is for a few moments) despite enjoying a delicious comforting bowl of hot soup or a cup of steaming coffee snuggled up inside that warm comforter? I do. Coz I am an out and out summer person and I only happen to enjoy the initial onset of winter chill. I absolutely loathe (strong word there but that’s how I feel about the winters) the harsh winter spell especially because there is no central heating system available in India. The temperatures difference between the indoors and outdoors isn’t much and a room heater is pretty incapable of offering much solace.

That’s when I dream of summer – I dream of ice-creams n kulfis, of plump juicy lychees and of sweet juicy mangoes trickling down my elbows, of refreshing chilled beverages, of crunchy salads, of spicy barbecued food and of crisp cotton saris and Fabindia chikan kurtis. I dream of tropical flavors – pineapples, fresh coconut water, cucumbers, falsas, mulberries!! Despite the dry sweltering heat, I still prefer the north Indian summer over winter; at least I do not have to bother about the frost bite (I know those in favour of winter would be pointing out to heat strokes and sun burns but I can manage that, trust me) and neither do I have to deal with an ear ache when I am out in the freezing cold winds and last but not the least, I can feel my toes and fingers!!

I really shouldn’t be complaining about the winter chill though since I am currently living in Mumbaithank God for the small mercies! We lucky souls in Mumbai, happen to enjoy a lovely weather during winter time. Actually there is nothing as winters here since the temperature hovers around 20 – 30 degree C but the locals love pulling out their cardigans and caps when there is just a wee bit of nip in the air! I find it so funny & ridiculous!! But I suppose they just try to get the ‘feel’ of winter.

Therefore, hot piping soups, comforting one pot meals, spiced hot chocolate milk and warm puddings are simply not happening here. My craving for something tropical led me to whip up this mean pineapple cake. Coconut and pineapple are classic partners and if I may say so, they are an apt depiction of tropical flavors – fresh, clean, sweet scented and cheerful. Don’t be fooled by the unsophisticated appearance of this loaf cake. The texture is soft and crumbly. We are not so particular about a glaze over our loaf or sweet breads but for this post, I chose to use the tart raspberry jam and it paired beautifully well. It is an absolute family favourite and never lasts long in the house. Call it an addiction since we never seem to get tired of it!

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For the cake,

1¾ cup Flour

¾ cup Desiccated Coconut

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda (bi-carb)

500 grams Pineapple rings (I used canned – drain & squeeze excess water )

120 grams Butter

1 cup (scant) Sugar

3 large Eggs

1 tsp Pineapple essence

For topping/glaze,

3 tbsp Raspberry Jam (adjust the amount to taste)

Final.

Preheat the oven at 180 degrees C.

Prepare an 8 inch loaf pan by greasing with oil or butter and dusting with flour. Keep aside.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add the desiccated coconut and mix the ingredients well with a spatula or whisk. Keep aside.

Using a food processor or blender roughly crush the pineapples ensuring that they do not turn to pulp. Keep aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and butter till light and fluffy (5-7 minutes). Add the pineapple essence and also the eggs (one at a time) beating after each addition till incorporated.

Add the flour mix to the wet mixture, in batches, ensuring to just incorporating it.

Finally, fold in the pineapples and decant the mixture in the prepared loaf pan.

Bake till cake turns golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Once the cake cools, apply the jam all over the top and serve.

Note: The 500 grams weight is the drained weight of the pineapples.

Note: Do not be over zealous while mixing the dry ingredients to the wet ones.

Note: Do not open the door of the oven for at least the first 20 minutes.

Note: I had to use a heaped teaspoon of confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar) to tone down the tartness of the jam.

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Serves: 6-8

You may also like:

Tropical Coconut Loaf

Banana Bread w/ Strawberry Compote

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39 thoughts on “COCONUT PINEAPPLE LOAF CAKE

  1. I have never experienced a harsh winter. And I really wish to experience some snow 🙂

    Love the combination of pineapple and coconut. Cake looks so soft and yum!

  2. I wouldn’t mind some of that cold if I send up some heat!
    But regardless of weather, I would love to try your loaf cake, it is so tropical and has a great crumb 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  3. I’m with you…I loathe winter!! Our temperatures are 20 – 30 F and the wind chile this year has been below 0F on several days. On days like that, making a beautiful cake or bread is one way to stay warm and counter the chill. I can already smell this lovely cake bake in the oven!

  4. It started snowing here from November and I am longing for some sunshine to do some blog posts :(. The cake looks so soft and moist. I loved the color combo of yellow cake and the raspberry topping.

  5. Oh, your tropical inspired loaf sounds marvelous! I love both pineapple and coconut and would surely gobble up this cake. I’m dreaming of summer, too….

  6. I pinned it even before I read or commented on this wonderful cake. Ok, I’m seriously trying to cut out my cake and chocolate for this month. I will be making this soon. Love it.
    Enjoy Mumbai.

  7. You are so lucky. Even though Greece doesn’t have the harsh winters of other countries, this year we have already had two snowfalls. True, coconut and pineapple match perfectly and this cake looks very fluffy and moist!

  8. Oh I love the cold, I know I’m a little strange that way. And I also love this cake, coconut and pineapple are meant for each other.

  9. Woow this cake looks so delicious, topped with my fav jam. I gotta try this soon. Pinned and thank you for such a lovely recipe.
    BTW: I do not like winters too 🙁

  10. What a beautiful cake! I, like you, am NOT a big fan of cold weather. That’s part of the reason I moved away from the Northern USA to the Southern USA, because the weather is much warmer! But even the winters here get chilly (about 30-40 degrees F is normal), so I do love cozying up with soup, stew, or hot tea. Right now, I’d love a slice of your lovely cake with a nice cup of tea. =)

  11. LOL
    Luckily we are not in Delhi ha? 😉
    It’s 17-18 in goa these days. It’s ok, europe is worse but the Indian cold is different to the european cold (as an example). I am not the only one saying this, just met some people from my country the other day who felt the same way. I feel with you Taruna, I don’t like the cold anyway.
    For the cake I can just say that I love the look of it just because you have added raspberry jam on top. It’s calling out my name.

  12. Awee…what a beautiful loaf…lovely texture and crust. Even we are lucky in Chennai…except that the weather here is hot..hotter and hottest 🙂

  13. What a gorgeous cake! And so comforting in the cold weather we’re having. I do like winter, but one gets tired of it after a bit, doesn’t one? This is the perfect antidote, though — so tasty! Thanks for this.

  14. That looks so decadent!! And the photography is amazing! Yum!

    Anyhoo, I stumbled upon your page through a fellow blogger, and thought I would stop by and say hi! It would totally make my day if you did the same.. or better yet, keep in touch! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

    1. Hello Shelia, thanks for your feedback. A few reasons I feel could have resulted in the cake not rising are: pan size being different, watery pineapples, the raising agents nearing expiry date or being old and over mixing of batter. I hope this is helpful.

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