There’s something magical about Hawaiian-inspired desserts—the bright, tropical flavors, the rich coconut and pineapple notes, and the way they transport you straight to a beachside luau.
If you love desserts that are both stunning and delicious, these Hawaiian cake ideas will become your new favorites. Whether you’re craving a creamy coconut dream, a fruity passionfruit delight, or a decadent macadamia nut masterpiece, this list has something for every sweet tooth.
Get ready to indulge in cakes that taste like paradise.
1. Classic Hawaiian Haupia Cake
This cake is a coconut lover’s dream. It features soft, fluffy vanilla cake layers filled with silky haupia, a traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding. The light, creamy texture combined with the delicate coconut flavor makes every bite feel like an island escape. Topped with whipped coconut cream, it’s simple yet irresistible.
2. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A timeless classic with a tropical twist. This cake is rich, buttery, and incredibly moist, thanks to caramelized pineapple slices that melt into the batter as it bakes. The brown sugar glaze adds a deep, caramelized sweetness, making this a perfect blend of fruity and indulgent.
3. Guava Chiffon Cake
Light, airy, and bursting with the floral sweetness of guava, this chiffon cake is a favorite in Hawaiian bakeries. The ultra-soft texture, combined with a delicate guava glaze or frosting, makes it a melt-in-your-mouth experience. It’s the perfect balance of refreshing and decadent.
4. Coconut Dream Cake
If you love coconut, this is the cake for you. Moist vanilla or coconut cake layers are soaked in creamy coconut milk and layered with whipped coconut frosting. Finished with a toasted coconut topping, it has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with its soft and tender crumb.
5. Passionfruit (Lilikoi) Cheesecake
A tropical twist on classic cheesecake. The smooth, creamy filling is infused with bright, tart passionfruit, giving it a refreshing zing. The buttery crust adds the perfect crunch, balancing out the luscious texture. Each bite is a delightful mix of tangy and sweet.
6. Chocolate Haupia Pie Cake
Imagine the famous Hawaiian chocolate haupia pie—now in cake form. This decadent dessert layers moist chocolate cake with silky coconut haupia, creating a rich, creamy contrast of flavors. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, it’s pure indulgence.
7. Mango Mousse Cake
Soft sponge cake layers meet a velvety, tropical mango mousse in this refreshing dessert. The natural sweetness of ripe mangoes shines through, making this cake light yet satisfying. It’s like a taste of summer in every forkful.
8. Kona Coffee Tiramisu Cake
Hawaii’s famous Kona coffee takes center stage in this dessert. Layers of espresso-soaked cake are filled with a creamy mascarpone mixture, creating a bold, rich, and slightly sweet flavor profile. It’s the perfect pick-me-up with an island-inspired twist.
9. Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake
This cake is ultra-moist and bursting with tropical flavors. A fluffy vanilla cake is infused with pineapple juice, then topped with a luscious coconut cream frosting. The juicy pineapple flavor seeps into every bite, making it absolutely irresistible.
10. Banana Macadamia Nut Cake
Bananas and macadamia nuts are a match made in heaven. This cake is soft, moist, and naturally sweet, with crunchy macadamia nuts adding texture and buttery richness. A drizzle of caramel or cream cheese frosting takes it over the top.
11. Ube Coconut Cake
A stunning, vibrant purple cake with a sweet, nutty flavor. Ube, a purple yam commonly used in Hawaiian and Filipino desserts, adds a unique depth of flavor, while the coconut enhances its creaminess. The result is a cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
12. Papaya Lime Cake
Sweet, tropical papaya pairs beautifully with a hint of zesty lime in this light and refreshing cake. The citrusy brightness cuts through the natural sweetness, creating a dessert that feels indulgent yet light at the same time.
13. White Chocolate Coconut Cake
A luxurious cake that combines the creamy sweetness of white chocolate with the tropical notes of coconut. The result? A smooth, silky cake with a velvety crumb and a flavor that lingers on your palate. It’s pure decadence with a tropical flair.
14. Hawaiian Butter Mochi Cake
Chewy, buttery, and slightly crispy on the edges—this unique cake has a delightful texture, thanks to sweet rice flour. The coconut milk adds a rich, creamy flavor, making it a favorite among Hawaiian dessert lovers. It’s a perfect balance of chewiness and sweetness.
15. Strawberry Guava Cake
A fruity delight with layers of fluffy cake infused with sweet guava and fresh strawberry flavors. The combination of these two fruits creates a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor that’s light, refreshing, and incredibly addictive.
16. Pineapple Carrot Cake
A tropical twist on classic carrot cake. The addition of crushed pineapple keeps the cake extra moist while adding a subtle fruity sweetness. With warm spices, crunchy walnuts, and a rich cream cheese frosting, this cake is the perfect mix of cozy and tropical.
17. Coconut Tres Leches Cake
A Hawaiian-inspired take on the beloved tres leches cake. This sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, creating an ultra-moist and creamy texture. It’s topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut for an extra layer of flavor.
Final Thoughts: Bring a Taste of Hawaii to Your Kitchen
These Hawaiian cake ideas are more than just desserts—they’re an escape to a tropical paradise. With flavors like pineapple, coconut, macadamia, and passionfruit, each cake brings a little bit of the islands into your home.
Which one are you excited to try first? Sign up for our newsletter to get even more delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
