Moist and flavorful Preacher Cake is made with pineapple, coconut and pecans and topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting.

Preacher Cake is a beloved southern recipe that is perfect for serving company. The tender cake is sweetened with coconut and pineapple and topped with cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.

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Every good southern cook has a go-to dessert recipe for serving to company. Every great southern cook keeps the ingredients on hand in the pantry so it can be made at a moment’s notice. 😉

A Preacher’s Cake, or sometimes called a Preacher’s Delight Cake, is a southern recipe that was traditionally prepared when the preacher was coming over for a visit.

Preachers used to come calling without a lot of warning, so this was a last-minute type of dessert.

I grew up as a preacher’s daughter in the south, and therefore was the fortunate recipient of many delicious dishes and desserts prepared by our parishioners.

Sometimes these were served when they hosted us in their homes, sometimes brought to our home as a special delivery, and sometimes served at church potluck dinners.

I’ve also heard some people refer to this cake as a funeral cake because it’s a good recipe to make and take to grieving loved ones.

No matter what you call it, this is a delicious recipe you’ll want to keep tucked up your sleeve!

More Old-Fashioned Dessert Recipes to Bake Today:

• Granny Cake
• Buttermilk Texas Sheet Cake
• Pineapple Snack Cake
• Tomato Soup Cake
• Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting
• Old-Fashioned Canned Carrot Cake
• Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookie Bars
• Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Easy Butterscotch Cake
• Miss Betty’s Banana Sheet Cake
• Vanilla Wafer Cake

Is Preacher Cake The Same As Hummingbird Cake?

This preacher cake recipe is similar to another southern delicacy–the beloved hummingbird cake. However, preacher cake does not have bananas in it, as the hummingbird cake does.

If you aren’t a fan of bananas or don’t have any on hand, this cake is a great alternative because it’s essentially a hummingbird cake without the bananas.

How to Make Preacher Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy southern cake is so flavorful and comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Granulated sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Crushed pineapple
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Shredded Coconut
• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Whipping cream

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Make the Batter. First, you’ll combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.

Then, combine sugar and oil in a stand mixer. Add in the eggs and mix until combined. Add the pineapple and nuts and mix well.

Gradually adding the dry ingredients and mixing up until fully incorporated.

Bake the Cake. Next, you’ll pour the batter into a prepared cake pan and bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frost and Serve. Last, you’ll make the frosting while the cake cools. Combine butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the whipping cream and mix until the frosting is fluffy.

Smooth the frosting over the cooled cake and top with chopped nuts before serving.

Notes and Adaptations:

• You can use walnuts or pecans, or you can leave the nuts out if you prefer a nut-free cake.
• You can leave out the coconut without compromising the recipe.