16 Substitutes for Pineapple in Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is one of the most delicious and popular cakes out there.

But what do you do if you don’t like pineapple or if you can’t have it for some reason?

There are many substitutes for pineapple in carrot cake, such as applesauce, grated carrots, shredded coconut, raisins, or chopped nuts. For a milder flavor, you can also use mashed ripe bananas, diced pears, or pureed apricots.

Read Also: Take your carrot cake to the next level with these 50 toppings

In this post, we’ll go over 16 substitutes for pineapple in carrot cake that will guarantee a delicious result!

16 Substitutes for Pineapple in Carrot Cake

Some of the most common substitutes for pineapple in carrot cake are grated apples, grated zucchini, and mashed bananas. These ingredients will add the same moistness to your cake as pineapple would without changing the flavor too much. You could also experiment with other fruits like mango or papaya, or even use raisins or dried cranberries.

Here are 16 more options:

1. Blueberries

Blueberries are a favorite choice of many bakers because they have a similar sweetness to pineapple and they can be used in many different ways.

You can add them to your batter as you would any other dried fruit, or you can serve them alongside the cake after it has cooled.

Blueberries are also delicious with whipped cream or ice cream, so if you’re looking for a way to make this cake even more decadent than it already is, try adding some blueberry topping!

2. Cherries

Cherries are another great choice for replacing pineapple—they’re sweet and taste wonderful with cinnamon-sugar topping!

You can use fresh cherries if you want to go all out, but canned cherries will work just fine too (just be sure not to drain them too much).

Canned cherries are usually available year-round in most grocery stores.

3. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a great substitute for pineapple because they have a similar consistency, but they’re less sweet and more savory.

You can use them in the same way as pineapple—in both the cake and the glaze—and they’ll add a nice texture.

4. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is another good choice if you want a similar taste and texture to pineapple without all that added sweetness.

You can use pumpkin purée in place of pineapple in your recipe, or mix it with butter or oil to make a glaze instead of using sugar.

It adds lots of moisture without being overly sweet, which makes it a great option for this type of dessert!

5. Applesauce

Applesauce is another great substitute.

You can also use it to make your carrot cake more moist and flavorful.

The only downside is that the flavor will be different from traditional carrot cakes, so you might want to try it out first before making a large batch of cake.

6. Pears

Pears are another great way to make your carrot cake taste like pineapple without having to buy an entire pineapple.

Add 1/2 cup diced pear to your carrot cake batter, which will increase its sweetness and moistness without changing the texture too much.

7. Raisins

If you’re looking for something sweeter, try using more raisins than pineapple in your recipe.

You can also use them in place of pineapple if you want to add more sweetness.

If you’re not sure about how much to use, start by adding a few tablespoons at first, and then adjust as needed after that.

8. Cranberries

If you like cranberries but want to avoid the tartness they can sometimes have, try using dried cranberries instead of fresh ones in your carrot cake recipe.

You can also try adding them to your batter or soaking them in water before adding them to the batter.

9. Apple Juice

Apple juice is a great option if you’re looking to add some sweetness and flavor without adding too much moisture or changing the texture of your cake.

It’s also an excellent way to get rid of leftover apple juice from your fridge that might be going bad.

10. Orange Juice

Orange juice can work as well, though it will change the color of your cake slightly.

If you’re looking for a more subtle effect, try mixing half apple juice and half orange juice together instead of using just one or the other.

11. Mango Puree

One of the simplest and most delicious ways to add a tropical flare to your carrot cake is with mango puree.

Mango puree is made by mixing together blended mangos with a little water until it’s thick like applesauce, then adding it to your recipe.

It can be used in place of either pineapple juice or fresh pineapple chunks.

12. Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice is another alternative, but it has a different flavor than fresh pineapple chunks or mango puree.

It’s also much more expensive if you want a lot of juice for baking purposes!

If you do use pineapple juice instead of fresh fruit, make sure that it’s 100% fruit juice with no added sugar or artificial ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup.

13. Carrots

Carrots add a little more crunch to the carrot cake than pineapple does, which is nice if you’re looking for something to chew on.

14. Banana

Bananas can be used as a substitute as well. Simply mash up some banana and use it in place of the pineapple!

It will add a very subtle sweetness to your carrot cake that will pair nicely with the carrots and other spices used in this recipe.

15. Dried Apricots

If you like the texture of dried apricots in carrot cake, then you can use them as a substitute as well.

You’ll need to soak them in warm water for several hours before using them in your recipe.

To make sure that they stay firm enough to bake with, cut them into smaller pieces before adding them to the batter.

16. Dates

If you want more of the fruitiness that comes from fresh pineapple, try using dates instead.

Chop the dates into small pieces and add them to the batter, mixing until they’re well incorporated.

The taste will be sweeter than using dried apricots alone, so remember to adjust any other ingredients accordingly!