Two by Two - 2 X 2 Cake

12 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 40 m Total: 50 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Two by Two - 2 X 2 Cake
A quick, easy and delightful scratch cake with pineapple and pecans. Called a 2x2 because all ingredients are an increment of the number 2—2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 2 eggs, you get the idea! Fresh pineapple can be substituted for canned pineapple (and vice versa) in equal measure. Place 1 cup of pineapple chunks in a blender and put it on “chop” setting for 30 seconds. Pour out the crushed pineapple into a separate bowl. In addition, when making pineapple juice in a juicer, you get about 1.5 cups or 11 ounces from 1 pound of prepared pineapple. It takes about 1/3 of a pineapple to make 1 cup of fresh juice. You could also combine one cup fresh and one cup canned.

Ingredients

12 servings
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 2 cups crushed pineapple with juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp baking soda

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large glass bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined and pour into a well-greased 13x9 inch pan.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

A: Absolutely! Use 2 cups of crushed fresh pineapple. To crush it, place pineapple chunks in a blender and pulse on "chop" for about 30 seconds. Make sure to include the juice—it takes about 1/3 of a pineapple to make 1 cup of juice, so you may need to add a bit of the natural juice from crushing.

Q: Why is my cake too dense?

A: Make sure you're using crushed pineapple WITH the juice—the liquid is essential for the cake's texture since there's no added milk or butter. Also, don't overmix; just combine until the ingredients are incorporated.

Tips and Techniques

This cake is incredibly forgiving and moist thanks to the pineapple juice. You can toast the pecans before adding them for deeper flavor. The cake freezes beautifully—wrap cooled slices individually for easy grab-and-go desserts.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • chopped pecans: chopped walnuts or omit nuts entirely
  • crushed pineapple with juice: 1 cup crushed pineapple plus 1 cup applesauce

Equipment Needed

  • Large glass bowl
  • 13x9 inch baking pan
  • Mixing spoon