Amazing Elvis Presley Cake: 1 Dreamy Retro Dessert

October 23, 2025
Written By Eleanor Vance

Eleanor "Ellie" Vance is the heart and soul behind DeliceRecipe.com, dedicated to bringing deliciously easy recipes to every American home. Growing up with a rich tapestry of culinary influences from her grandmother's European traditions and her mother's American classics, Ellie developed a profound love for cooking and sharing food. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she channeled her passion and professional skills into creating DeliceRecipe. Her mission is to demystify cooking, making it an enjoyable and accessible experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Ellie meticulously develops and tests every recipe, ensuring they are not only bursting with flavor but also simple to follow using everyday ingredients. She believes that delicious meals shouldn't be complicated, and her approachable style and practical tips have made her a trusted culinary guide for countless American families.

Now, picture this: a retro Southern dessert, the kind that just screams comfort and good times. That’s exactly what you get with this incredible Elvis Presley cake! It’s a total throwback, packed with juicy pineapple, a dreamy cream cheese frosting, and that irresistible pecan crunch on top. Here at DeliceRecipe, we’re all about simple, honest-to-goodness food that brings people together, just like Eleanor Vance believes. This cake is pure, unadulterated joy in a 9×13 pan, and trust me, it’s going to become your new favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Elvis Presley Cake

This cake is an absolute winner for so many reasons! You’ll absolutely adore how ridiculously easy it is to whip up – trust me, it practically makes itself.

Here’s the lowdown on why this Elvis Presley cake is going to be your new go-to:

  • Super Simple to Make: Seriously, just a few ingredients and straightforward steps. Anyone can do it!
  • Unbeatable Flavor Combo: The sweet pineapple, tangy cream cheese frosting, and crunchy pecans are a match made in heaven.
  • Pure Retro Charm: It’s the quintessential Southern dessert that just makes you feel happy.
  • Potluck Perfection: This 9×13 cake feeds a crowd and is always the first to disappear.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Bake it the day before and relax. It’s perfect for busy schedules!

Gather Your Ingredients for the Elvis Presley Cake

Alright, let’s get our game faces on and gather everything we need for this show-stopping Elvis Presley cake! Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you probably have hanging around, or can grab super easily. The magic really starts when you have all your little soldiers lined up, ready for action.

Here’s your shopping list (or pantry raid checklist!):

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (the regular 15.25 ounce kind works perfectly!)
  • 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, and don’t you dare drain that juice!
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, nice and softened – this is key for a smooth frosting
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the frosting, so have that ready!)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – for that little somethin’ somethin’
  • 1 cup heavy cream – this really makes the frosting dreamy
  • 1 cup powdered sugar – for part of that sweet topping
  • 1 cup chopped pecans – crunchy goodness!

See? Nothing too crazy! Having all these prepped makes the actual making of this Elvis Presley cake a breeze.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Elvis Presley Cake

Alright, let’s get this party started and make some magic happen! Following these simple steps will ensure your Elvis Presley cake turns out perfectly moist and totally delicious. It’s really not complicated at all, promise!

Preparing the Cake Base

First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good greasing and flouring, or line it with parchment paper if you prefer. Now, mix up that yellow cake mix according to the box directions. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, and bake it for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick poked near the center comes out clean. Let it cool just a bit in the pan – we want it still warm!

Creating the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake is still warm and getting its beauty rest, grab a medium bowl. Beat that softened cream cheese and the granulated sugar together until everything is super smooth and creamy. No lumps allowed here! Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Next, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream while you keep beating. You want this mixture to get nice and thick, kind of like a pourable frosting. If you want to see my full perfect cream cheese frosting recipe, you can check it out!

Assembling the Elvis Presley Cake

Now for the fun part! While your cake is still warm in the pan, grab a fork or a skewer and poke holes all over the top. Go crazy with it! Then, gently pour that glorious cream cheese mixture all over the warm cake, letting it seep down into those holes you just made. Spread it out evenly to cover the whole surface. For the grand finale, mix the powdered sugar and chopped pecans together in a little bowl and sprinkle that mixture right over the cream cheese layer. It’s going to look and smell amazing!

Tips for the Perfect Elvis Presley Cake

Okay, so you want your Elvis Presley cake to be absolutely, positively perfect, right? Trust me, sometimes a little trick can make all the difference. It’s all about those little details that elevate a good cake to an unforgettable one. We want this retro Southern dessert to be a showstopper!

Let’s chat about a few things that really make this cake sing:

First off, make sure your cream cheese and butter are *truly* softened. Cold ingredients make lumpy frosting, and nobody wants that! Just let them sit out on the counter for about an hour before you start. Also, for the pecans? Toasting them really wakes up their flavor! Just give them a quick toast, kind of like how you’d toast nuts for my homemade granola. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! Oh, and if your cream cheese mixture seems a *tad* too thin for spreading, don’t panic. You can always whisk in a little more powdered sugar, maybe a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just right for spreading over your pineapple poke cake. Think of it like adjusting the consistency of your apple butter – just enough to get it where you want it.

Make-Ahead and Serving Suggestions for Your Southern Dessert

This Elvis Presley cake is a lifesaver when you’ve got a busy week or a big event coming up! Seriously, this Southern dessert is actually *better* when you make it ahead. It gives all those yummy flavors a chance to really meld together. Just bake the cake and let it cool completely, then poke your holes and pour that dreamy cream cheese mixture over it. Sprinkle on the pecan topping, cover it up tight with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge. It’s perfect for your meal planning goals!

For serving, always make sure this baby is chilled. It sets up so nicely and the texture is just *chef’s kiss*. It’s the ultimate potluck dessert because it travels so well and is always a crowd-pleaser. Just slice it up and watch it disappear!

Frequently Asked Questions About Elvis Presley Cake

Got questions about this amazing retro cake? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve rounded up some of the most common things folks ask about this pineapple poke cake to make sure your baking adventure is a total success. It’s always good to have a little extra info for your favorite southern dessert!

Can I substitute the pecans in this Elvis Presley cake?

Absolutely! If pecans aren’t your thing, or you just don’t have them on hand, walnuts are a fantastic substitute and give a similar crunch. Or, if you need to avoid nuts altogether, you can just sprinkle the cake with the powdered sugar alone. It’ll still be delicious!

How long can I store leftover Elvis Presley cake?

This cake is best kept in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese frosting. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and it should stay fresh and yummy for about 3 to 4 days. It’s pretty sturdy, making it a great option for make-ahead cakes!

Is this a true retro cake recipe?

Oh, 100 percent! This Elvis Presley cake is a true classic from the good old days of Southern desserts. It’s got that nostalgic charm and flavor combination – pineapple, cream cheese, and nuts – that just takes you back. It’s definitely a retro cake recipe you’ll want to keep!

Nutritional Information Estimate

Okay, so we all want to know roughly what we’re diving into, right? This Elvis Presley cake is a treat, and like most amazing desserts, it’s a bit of a indulgence! The numbers below are just a ballpark estimate, of course. What you use – like the brand of yellow cake mix or how much frosting you *happened* to spread – can change things a little. But this gives you a good idea of what you’re working with per slice to help with your meal planning!

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving:

  • Calories: ~350
  • Fat: ~18g
  • Saturated Fat: ~8g
  • Protein: ~3g
  • Carbohydrates: ~45g
  • Sugar: ~35g
  • Sodium: ~200mg

Share Your Elvis Presley Cake Creations!

I just *love* hearing from you guys! If you try making this amazing Elvis Presley cake, please, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Did you share it at a potluck? Did your family love it? Snap a pic and tag us on social media – I can’t wait to see your beautiful retro cakes!

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Elvis Presley Cake

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A retro Southern pineapple poke cake with cream cheese frosting and a pecan topping, perfect for potlucks.

  • Author: ellievance
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 35 min
  • Total Time: 55 min
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions for a 9×13 inch pan. Bake and let cool slightly in the pan.
  2. While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over the top with a fork or skewer.
  3. In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually beat in heavy cream until the mixture is thickened.
  5. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the warm cake, spreading it to cover the surface.
  6. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and chopped pecans. Sprinkle this mixture over the cream cheese layer.
  7. Chill the cake for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
  • For a richer flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the topping.
  • Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

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