This is the classic Granny Cake (sometimes called Pineapple Praline Cake or Dump Cake). It’s a beloved, easy Southern-style dessert where you mix the cake, top it with a brown sugar-pecan mixture, and finish with a cooked icing poured over the hot cake.
Here is the full recipe with instructions based on your ingredients:
Homemade Granny Cake
Cake:
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1 ½ cups white sugar
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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2 large eggs
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1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, with juice (do not drain)
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1 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)
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1 cup chopped pecans (for topping)
Icing:
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1 cup evaporated milk
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½ cup white sugar
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the oven and pan.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make the cake batter.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Add the 1 ½ cups white sugar, eggs, and the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice.
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Stir by hand until just combined and smooth. The batter will be thin.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Add the nut topping.
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Sprinkle the 1 cup of brown sugar evenly over the top of the batter.
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Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the brown sugar.
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Do not stir.
4. Bake.
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Bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
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The top will be golden and the brown sugar will have caramelized.
5. Make the icing while the cake bakes.
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In a medium saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, ½ cup sugar, and butter.
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Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
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Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
6. Finish the cake.
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As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, prick the hot cake all over with a fork or toothpick.
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Slowly and evenly pour the hot icing over the entire hot cake, allowing it to soak in.
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Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.
Enjoy! The cake is wonderfully moist with caramelized pineapple flavor, a crunchy pecan layer, and a sweet, creamy icing throughout.