Preacher Cake Recipe

A southern favorite! This jazzed up boxed cake mix is filled with pantry staples. Preacher Cake was a classic cake made when the preacher cake to visit.

There’s nothing like a moist, flavorful spice cake, especially when it uses pantry staples like a cake mix, pineapple, coconut and pecans.

This comforting cake is perfect for picnics, potlucks and hosting visitors in your home.

preacher's cake on a plate

Why you’ll love this cake:

  • easy cake mix recipe
  • pantry staples
  • spice cake flavor
  • sweet pineapple and coconut
  • melt in your mouth coconut frosting

Why is it called preacher cake?

Do you remember days when preachers used to visit on a weekly basis? This cake is a southern classic that is the ultimate in comfort food. It’s easy for the host to make and perfect for serving to the preacher when he stops by…or to other guests.

Have you tried our hummingbird cake? This cake is very similar in flavor!

ingredients for easy preacher cake in a bowl

Ingredients:

  • butter: You can use salted or unsalted, but we almost always use salted.
  • spice cake mix: box mixes are all different weights, but if you choose a cake mix that makes a 9×13 cake, you’ll be just fine.
  • crushed pineapple: choose a pineapple that is in juice so you don’t have extra heavy syrup.
  • coconut: either sweetened or unsweetened will work
  • eggs
  • pecans

Tips for Making the Cake

  • The cake batter takes only one bowl to mix up. Throw everything in and mix away!
  • Don’t add the ingredients on the back of the cake box. Only add the ingredients listed in the ingredients below.
  • You can make this cake in a 9×13 cake pan, or if you’d like a layer cake, use two round cake pans. If you use round cake pans, they’ll take slightly less time to bake so watch them closely.
  • This cake traditionally has a cream cheese frosting on it. You can use a vanilla buttercream or even a whipped cream frosting if you’d like.

Storage Instructions

This cake is a great make ahead cake. The fruit will keep it moist. You can make this up to 3 days in advance and store at room temperature in an airtight container.

You can also freeze this cake. It can be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container. When you are ready to serve it, allow it to come to room temperature before opening the container.

9x13 spice cake with frosting
frosted easy preacher cake on a plate
frosted easy preacher cake on a plate

Preacher Cake

4.69 from 22 votes
A southern favorite! This jazzed up boxed cake mix is filled with pantry staples. Preacher Cake was a classic cake made when the preacher cake to visit.
Servings 15
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
 

For the cake:

For the frosting:

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or you can use a hand mixer), add the butter, cake mix, pineapple (with juice), coconut and eggs. Beat well until blended, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Stir in the chopped pecans.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when you touch it (or a toothpick comes out clean).
  • Allow the cake to cool.
  • To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar together until well blended and smooth.
  • Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
  • Sprinkle with pecans.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cake being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 409mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 447
Keyword box cake mix recipe, old fashioned

About Julie Clark

We are Julie, Maddie, and Kinslee – a mother and daughter team sharing with you the best cakes to satisfy any need or sweet craving that you may have. Welcome to our family’s kitchen!

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5 stars
Could have done without the calorie information 🤦🏻‍♀️But it’s soooo good.