This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
Pineapple Bars Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy dessert that tastes like sunshine, these Pineapple Bars are the perfect choice. Made with a buttery cake mix crust and a creamy pineapple filling, they’re sweet, tangy, and incredibly simple to make.
This recipe uses just a handful of pantry staples and comes together in minutes, making it ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, summer cookouts, and holiday dessert tables. The tropical pineapple flavor paired with a touch of lemon creates a rich and refreshing dessert without being overly heavy.
Whether you use a pineapple cake mix, lemon cake mix, white cake mix, or yellow cake mix, these bars always turn out delicious.
Why You’ll Love These Pineapple Bars
- Easy 6-ingredient dessert
- Bright tropical pineapple flavor
- Perfect balance of sweet and tangy
- Great for summer parties and potlucks
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Can be prepared ahead of time
- Stores well in the refrigerator
Pineapple Bars Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) cake mix (pineapple, lemon, white, or yellow)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg
For the Pineapple Filling
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh or concentrated)
Optional Garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make Pineapple Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Crust
In a large bowl, use a fork to combine the cake mix, softened butter, and egg until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
In a separate bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, and lemon juice until well combined.
Pour the filling evenly over the crust layer.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
The center may still be slightly jiggly when removed from the oven. This is normal and helps create a soft, creamy texture.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator before serving.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Tips for the Best Pineapple Bars
Drain the Pineapple Well
Too much liquid can make the filling overly soft. Drain the crushed pineapple before measuring. You can save the drained juice and use it for the 1/4 cup needed in the recipe.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice provides the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice works well too.
Chill Before Cutting
Refrigerating the bars for at least 2 hours makes them easier to slice into neat squares.
Line the Pan
Parchment paper makes removing and cutting the bars much easier.
Cake Mix Options
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is.
Pineapple Cake Mix
Creates the strongest tropical flavor.
Lemon Cake Mix
Adds extra citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with pineapple.
Yellow Cake Mix
Provides a rich, buttery base.
White Cake Mix
Creates a lighter flavor that allows the pineapple filling to shine.
Variations
Coconut Pineapple Bars
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the filling for a tropical twist.
Pineapple Cream Cheese Bars
Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese into the filling for extra richness.
Cherry Pineapple Bars
Top with chopped maraschino cherries before baking for a pineapple upside-down cake-inspired dessert.
Toasted Coconut Topping
Sprinkle toasted coconut over the bars before serving.
Storage
Store Pineapple Bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Because the filling contains sweetened condensed milk and fruit, refrigeration is recommended.
Can You Freeze Pineapple Bars?
Yes.
Wrap individual bars or the entire pan tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pineapple Bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes. The sweetened condensed milk filling stays freshest when refrigerated.
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes. Finely chop fresh pineapple and lightly drain excess juice before using.
Why are my bars still jiggly in the center?
A slight jiggle is normal when the bars come out of the oven. They will continue to set as they cool and chill.
Can I make Pineapple Bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, many people prefer them chilled, making them a great make-ahead dessert.
Can I use canned pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapple?
Yes. Simply chop them into smaller pieces before mixing them into the filling.
What to Serve with Pineapple Bars
These bars pair wonderfully with:
- Fresh whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Toasted coconut
- Fresh berries
These Pineapple Bars are an easy dessert that delivers big tropical flavor with very little effort. The buttery cake mix crust and creamy pineapple filling create a dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings, holiday celebrations, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and refreshing.
If you’re looking for a simple dessert that everyone will ask for again, these Pineapple Bars are sure to become a family favorite.
You May Also Like:
Pineapple Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (pineapple, lemon, white or yellow)
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Pineapple Filling
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh or concentrated)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a 13x9-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with non-stick spray.
- With a fork, stir together cake mix, butter, and egg. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a prepared 13x9-inch baking dish.
- Stir together sweetened condensed milk, pineapple, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the top of the cake mix layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. The center will still be slightly jiggly. Cool completely before cutting. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- What You Get: One 15.25-oz. box of Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Classic Yellow Cake Mix
- Flavors You Crave: Perfectly moist cake even more delicious when topped with frosting and sprinkles
- Celebrate Anytime: Perfect for birthdays, graduations, baby showers, and other celebrations, as well as potlucks, school events, and everyday family desserts
- Easy Prep: Simply add water, eggs, and vegetable oil to this cake mix made with no artificial color dyes¹, then stir, pour, and bake. ¹No FD&C colors
- Versatile Options: Each 15.25-oz. box makes two 8 or 9-inch layer cakes, one 13 x 9-inch sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes—perfect for sharing
- One 15.25 oz box of Duncan Hines Signature Perfectly Moist Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
- Made with real pineapple juice and other natural flavors for intense flavor
- Make a layer cake or pineapple upside down cake for an everyday or special occasion dessert
- Boxed cake mix makes 24 cupcakes or a standard 13 by 9 inch cake
- Add eggs, water and vegetable oil to pineapple cake mix for simple prep and velvety batter
- WHAT'S INSIDE: One 20-ounce can of Crushed Pineapple in Pineapple Juice
- WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: Non-GMO, Non-BPA lining
- NEW LOOK: Your favorite Happy Belly products are now part of the Amazon Fresh family! Packaging may vary, but the product and quality you love are exactly the same.
- HIGH QUALITY, LOW PRICES: Amazon Fresh brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: If you don’t love it, we’ll make it right. Call 1-877-485-0385 and we’ll refund you for any reason within a year of purchase.
- 9x13 INCH: Includes (1) 9x13x2.75 inch glass baking dish with BPA-free plastic lid. This deep baking dish is essential to have in any kitchen as they are versatile in use from prepping to baking and storing.
- GO DEEPER: At up to 50% deeper than the Pyrex basics dishes you know and love, there’s more room to get creative. Deeper size stops spillovers, and more importantly, holds more of the good stuff for your parties and gatherings.
- SNUG FIT LID: Perfectly fitting and BPA-free plastic lid is freezer, microwave, and top-rack dishwasher safe. No need to hold back when warming your food or storing your leftovers for tomorrow.
- GLASS BAKEWARE: High-quality non-pourous glass is pre-heated oven, microwave and freezer safe. Have a peace of mind when storing your food, resisting stains, flavors and odors. Worry less about scrubbing hard to get rid of stains or smells, and enjoy the versatile convenience of this glass bakeware set.
- PYREX IS THE #1 BRAND OF GLASS BAKEWARE*: Loved for generations, experienced cooks and beginners alike have reached for Pyrex brand glassware products, because they’re affordable, durable, and great for all their cooking, serving and storing needs. Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, dollars and units, 12 ME December 2022
- Package Includes: One (1) Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Roll measuring 45 feet long by 12 inches wide (45 square feet total)
- Easy and Quick Cleanup: The 12-inch wide baking parchment paper easily lines most sheet pans and cookie sheets for easy clean-up
- Unbleached and Chlorine-Free: This unbleached parchment paper is made with 75% unbleached fibers and 0% chlorine bleaching
- Dependable, Non-Stick, and Versatile: Reynolds parchment paper can be used for cooking, baking, and in the microwave, and is oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Quality Parchment Paper: Reynolds parchment paper is your go-to solution for easy cooking and clean-up
