The Chicago Area Blog

Pineapples

Native to South America, the first pineapples were planted in Hawaii on this day in 1813. Now 10% of the world’s pineapples are grown in Hawaii, where it first became a commercial crop. It is also widely grown in Central America and Asia. Kids will love this delicious recipe from www.allrecipes.com.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and baking soda. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, vanilla and crushed pineapple, with liquid from can. Mix well to blend. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. To make the frosting: in a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, confectioners sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat until creamy. Spread on warm cake.