Elvis Presley Cake Recipe (Jailhouse Rock Cake)

If you’ve ever wanted to taste pure nostalgia wrapped in creaminess and crunch, this Elvis Presley Cake will be your go-to. Also lovingly called “Jailhouse Rock Cake,” it’s a decadent mix of sweet pineapples, fluffy cream cheese frosting, and a generous crunch of pecans that will rock your taste buds. Whether you’re an Elvis fan or just love a good dessert, this one will have you saying, “Thank you, thank you very much!”

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
The base of this cake is light, fluffy, and subtly sweet. Follow the package instructions for the batter. A little tip: swap water for milk for added richness!
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
This adds the tropical sweetness Elvis himself would approve of. Drain well but keep a tablespoon or two of juice for extra flavor.
1½ cups chopped pecans
A nutty crunch to balance out the sweetness. Toast them lightly in a pan to really bring out their flavor.
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Key to that creamy frosting. Make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth blending.
2 cups powdered sugar
Adds the perfect sweetness to the frosting without making it too heavy.
1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Keeps the frosting airy and light.
Extra pecan halves for garnish
Optional, but they make the cake look extra fancy!

How to Make the Elvis Presley Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix your white cake batter according to the instructions on the box, then bake it in the prepared pan. Let it cool completely before moving on to the topping.

Step 2: Add the Pineapple Layer

Once the cake has cooled, spread the drained crushed pineapple evenly over the top. If you saved some juice, drizzle it over the cake for an extra punch of pineapple goodness.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and blend until creamy.
Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until everything is fully combined and fluffy.

Step 4: Frost and Decorate

Spread the cream cheese frosting over the pineapple layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
Sprinkle the chopped pecans generously over the frosting. For that signature “Elvis” touch, add pecan halves on top for garnish.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let all the flavors meld together.
Slice, serve, and enjoy the rock ‘n’ roll of flavors in every bite!

Equipment Needed

9×13-inch baking pan – Perfect for even baking.
Mixing bowls – You’ll need at least two for the batter and frosting.
Electric mixer – Makes whipping up that cream cheese frosting a breeze.
Spatula set – For smoothing and spreading the frosting like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Absolutely! While white cake mix gives this dessert its classic flavor, yellow or butter cake mix would work wonderfully, too.

Do I have to use canned pineapple?
Nope! If you have fresh pineapple, feel free to use it—just finely chop it or crush it before spreading on the cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake tastes even better the next day, so feel free to prepare it the night before serving.

What if I don’t have whipped topping?
You can whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar as a substitute.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Sure thing! Just use a gluten-free cake mix and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Do I need to refrigerate leftovers?
Yes, since the frosting contains cream cheese, keep the cake refrigerated. It should stay fresh for 3–4 days.

Can I add other toppings?
Of course! Shredded coconut or maraschino cherries would add a fun twist to this classic recipe.

Conclusion

I hope you loved making (and eating!) this Elvis Presley Cake as much as I do. It’s the perfect blend of tropical sweetness, creamy frosting, and nutty crunch, all in one bite. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends on Facebook or save it on Pinterest for later. Let’s keep the rock ‘n’ roll spirit alive—one slice at a time!