Few desserts are as satisfying as the kind that turn two pantry staples into something unexpectedly light, fruity, and crowd-pleasing. This style of easy fruit-and-cake dessert has long been popular in American home kitchens because it skips the extra mixing bowls and complicated steps, relying instead on the natural sweetness and moisture of canned fruit to transform a boxed mix into a simple baked treat.
Serve these bars chilled or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar, a spoonful of whipped topping, or a side of fresh berries. They also pair nicely with coffee after dinner, or with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt if you want to dress them up a bit for a potluck or casual weekend dessert table.
Oven Baked 2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Bars
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 box (16 oz) angel food cake mix
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and set out an ungreased glass 9x13 baking dish. Angel food cake batter rises best when it can cling slightly to the sides of the pan.
2. Pour the entire can of crushed pineapple with its juice into the baking dish, then add the dry angel food cake mix.
3. Stir gently until the mixture is fully combined and foamy, making sure there are no dry pockets of cake mix left. The batter will puff up as you mix.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center springs back lightly when touched.
5. Let the dessert cool completely before slicing into bars. For cleaner slices, chill it for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Chilled dessert style: These bars are especially nice served cold. The texture becomes slightly more set after refrigeration, making them easy to slice and ideal for warm-weather gatherings.
Do not overmix: Stir just until the dry mix disappears. Overmixing can knock out some of the airy structure that helps angel food cake bake up light.
Pan choice: A glass 9x13 dish works well for this recipe and makes it easy to monitor browning around the edges. If using metal, start checking a few minutes earlier since baking times can run a little shorter.
Simple toppings: A light dusting of powdered sugar, a spoonful of whipped topping, or a few berries can add contrast without overpowering the pineapple flavor.
Storage: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The bars stay moist thanks to the pineapple, so they make a handy make-ahead dessert for casual entertaining.