Pineapple Paradise Cake (WW Low-Point Version) 🌿🍍
This Pineapple Paradise Cake recipe is a delightful, tropical treat that has been converted into a Weight Watchers (WW) friendly version, ensuring that you can indulge in the flavors of paradise without sacrificing your wellness goals. A moist, flavorful cake with the refreshing taste of pineapple, enhanced with the unique twist of pistachio pudding mix, is sure to be a hit at any gathering. This optimized version is designed to be lighter while still maintaining the cake’s delicious appeal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
WW SmartPoints (per serving): 3-4 points (depending on your WW plan)
Ingredients (WW-Friendly Version)
To create this Pineapple Paradise Cake, we need a few key ingredients that contribute both taste and texture, but we will be making adjustments to keep it lower in SmartPoints.
1 box of Angel Food Cake Mix (standard 16 oz box)
1 3.4 oz box of sugar-free pistachio pudding mix
20 oz can of crushed pineapple, packed in its own juice (do not drain)
1/2 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt (optional, for added creaminess)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for a deeper flavor)
Optional topping: 1/2 cup of sugar-free whipped topping
These ingredients provide the perfect balance of sweetness, flavor, and texture, while the sugar-free pudding mix and angel food cake contribute to the lightness of the recipe.
Equipment Needed
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
9×13-inch baking dish
Oven
Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pineapple Paradise Cake
Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is at the perfect temperature to bake the cake evenly.
Prepare the Angel Food Cake Mix
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the angel food cake mix as per the instructions on the box, which typically involves adding water and beating the mixture until light and fluffy. Angel food cake is already a low-calorie base for many WW-friendly recipes, making it a perfect starting point for our creation.
Add the Pistachio Pudding Mix
Open the sugar-free pistachio pudding mix and stir it directly into the prepared angel food cake batter. The pistachio flavor pairs wonderfully with pineapple, adding a subtle nutty creaminess to the cake. Stir until the pudding mix is fully incorporated.
Mix in the Pineapple with Juice
Open the 20 oz can of crushed pineapple and pour the pineapple, along with its juices, into the batter. This gives the cake a moist, tropical sweetness. Make sure that the pineapple is evenly distributed throughout the batter by gently folding it in with a spatula. The pineapple’s natural juices will help keep the cake moist and add to the overall flavor.
Optional Step: Add Greek Yogurt & Vanilla Extract
For added richness and creaminess, you can mix in 1/2 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt. This ingredient is not only creamy but also adds protein, making the cake even more filling. If you’d like to intensify the flavor, add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the batter. This will provide a deeper, more complex flavor that enhances the tropical notes of pineapple.
Pour the Batter into a Baking Dish
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, pour the cake batter into the dish. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the dish to ensure an even rise while baking.
Bake the Cake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should rise beautifully due to the angel food cake mix. Keep a close eye on it to avoid over-baking.
Cool the Cake
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the baking dish for about 10-15 minutes. This cooling period helps the cake to settle and ensures that it doesn’t fall apart when sliced.
Optional Topping
If desired, top the cooled cake with sugar-free whipped topping for a creamy finishing touch. The whipped topping adds a light, fluffy texture that complements the tropical flavors of the cake. Spread it evenly over the top of the cake, or serve it on the side for individual portions.
Slice and Serve
After the cake has cooled, slice it into 12 equal portions. Each slice should have a soft, moist texture with a hint of pistachio and a burst of pineapple flavor. You can serve it as-is or with a dollop of whipped topping on top
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Here’s the breakdown of the nutritional values for each serving of the Pineapple Paradise Cake. This analysis is based on 12 servings per recipe and includes only the ingredients mentioned above (excluding optional toppings):
Calories per serving: 140
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 26g
Protein: 2g
Sodium: 250mg
WW SmartPoints Breakdown
The SmartPoints system is based on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein. The breakdown for this Pineapple Paradise Cake is as follows:
Freestyle Points: 3 SmartPoints per serving
Blue Plan Points: 3 SmartPoints per serving
Green Plan Points: 4 SmartPoints per serving
Purple Plan Points: 3 SmartPoints per serving
Depending on the toppings used, such as the whipped topping, the SmartPoints per serving could increase slightly. However, the cake itself remains a relatively low-point treat!
Tips for a Successful Pineapple Paradise Cake
Use Sugar-Free Pudding Mix: Make sure to opt for sugar-free pistachio pudding mix to keep the recipe within WW’s low-point range. The flavor of the sugar-free mix still complements the pineapple beautifully.
Don’t Drain the Pineapple: Keeping the pineapple juice in the batter helps maintain the moist texture of the cake while preventing it from drying out during baking.
Experiment with Flavor Variations: If pistachio isn’t your flavor of choice, you can try other sugar-free pudding mixes such as vanilla or butterscotch for different flavor combinations.
Control the Portions: This recipe yields 12 servings, making it easy to portion out. Be sure to stick to a single serving to keep it within your SmartPoints.
Top with Fresh Fruit: For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fresh pineapple chunks, berries, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut as a garnish.
Conclusion
This Pineapple Paradise Cake is the perfect balance of tropical sweetness, light texture, and low WW points. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something refreshing and flavorful, this recipe ensures you don’t have to compromise on taste while staying within your healthy lifestyle goals. With minimal effort, you’ll create a cake that’s sure to please both your taste buds and your SmartPoints tracker.
Feel free to customize this cake to suit your personal preferences, and enjoy a little slice of paradise today!