Now, let’s get to the fun part—making the cake! Follow these simple steps to create a delightful dessert your family will love:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. In another bowl, mix the crushed pineapple, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, eggs, and sour cream until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine!
5. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cakes should be lightly golden on top.
7. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add the vanilla extract and enough milk to achieve your desired consistency.
9. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top, then place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
10. For a final touch, you can garnish with some extra crushed pineapple or coconut flakes if you like!

As I was making this cake for the first time, my kids were buzzing around the kitchen, helping me mix the batter and sneak bites of pineapple. It turned into one of those beautiful moments where cooking becomes a shared experience, full of laughter and sweet chaos.