Easy Pineapple Topping perfect for ice cream sundaes, cheesecakes and more made in just a few minutes with just three ingredients!
You don’t need to buy pre-made dessert toppings to enjoy your favorite ice cream favorites at home including Easy Strawberry Topping, Homemade Cool Whip, Easy Hot Fudge Sauce and Easy Whipped Cream.
Pineapple Topping is such an easy recipe, and you won’t believe how quickly it comes together. You can of course make this recipe with a can of crushed pineapple as we have here. This makes the recipe take less than five total minutes start to finish. However, if you have a sweet ripe pineapple you can make it from a fresh pineapple and make the most amazing pineapple topping ever (which you can bottle and can for later!).
If you want to make this recipe with fresh pineapple, you will have to pulse chunks of fresh pineapple (remove the core) in the food processor. Once you remove the small pieces you can squeeze out about half the juice. You don’t need too much of the juice, if you were to squeeze it completely dry and add the liquids back in it would be roughly ¼ cup of pineapple juice to 20 ounces of fresh pineapple bits.
Serve Pineapple Topping over your favorite Vanilla Ice Cream or Double Chocolate Ice Cream, or add it over a Vanilla Pound Cake or Buttermilk Biscuits to make an easy sweet baked treat. For a fun brunch option you can also serve this over French Toast or Easy Cinnamon Rolls (in 1 Hour!). It’s also delicious on a New York Cheesecake or Carrot Cake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to make this recipe even more fun you can roast or grill your pineapple first before pulsing it in the food processor too. You can add brown sugar to the recipe instead of white sugar.
To add more flavor you can also add vanilla extract to give it a sweeter flavor. You can add a bit of jalapeño to the recipe to add a sweet and spicy flavor to the mix. If you need to make the flavor a little brighter and more of a punch add a bit of lemon juice to the mixture. Or try adding bits of maraschino cherries to make a banana split topping instead of just pineapples.
Any kind! Make this recipe using frozen or canned pineapple as a time saver. Use a food processor to break down the pineapple if you use canned chunks or fresh pineapple.
How to Store Pineapple Topping
- Serve: Pineapple Topping can be served warm or chilled.
- Store: Pineapple Topping will last tightly sealed in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can make the sauce ahead of time as long as you keep it refrigerated in a sealed container.
- Freeze: Freeze Pineapple Topping in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and serve cold or reheat to thicken back up.
Ingredients
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple , undrained
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Continue to cook, stirring regularly, for 2-3 minutes, until thickened.
Nutrition
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Photos used in a previous version of this post.
Whoa! Is it 2.5 cups of fresh pineapple?
Yes!
Do you have to use that much sugar and can you make three cans of tidbits instead of one? Also add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and sugar required per can?
per 20 oz. pineapple. Enjoy!
Love it! No more boughten pineapple topping! ????????
Can powdered sugar be used in place of white sugar
I would not suggest it, sorry.
Absolutely so simple. Made it it’s great. Ice cream here I come!
Could this sauce be frozen?
Yes, store it in an airtight container and leave some room for expansion at the top. It should last up to 3 months. Enjoy!
Gave 5 stars because its a simple recipe, and I can use it on my job. I work in the food service industry also. What is the serving size?
Thanks, Angie. I’d say the serving size is roughly around 2 tablespoons.
How much fresh pineapple would be needed for this recipe?
20 ounces of fresh pineapple bits and 1/4 cup of pineapple juice. I give instructions in the post above as to how to prepare it. Enjoy!
Is a very simple recipe, who doesn’t love that!
I used a fresh picked white Sugarloaf, the amount of liquid in it was perfect. I used Keto brown sugar (1/3 cup), and of course the corn starch.
It came together perfectly!
The pineapple topping is. Rey good on a cheesecake!
Made and had with cheesecake. Delicious.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the 5 stars.
Is canned pineapple sweetened or in its own juices used in pineapple topping recipe?
I used the canned version that in it’s own juices.
Made this it’s very delicious. Had as cheesecake topping. Superb.
Yum!
Can I thicken the sauce and then add the pineapple chunks back in? I like a bite to my fruit, would that work well? And can this be used as a cake filling?
Yes, you can thicken the sauce and put the fruit back in but I think it’ll still be too thin for a cake filling. I hope you enjoy it!
This topping won raves at our ice cream party! Delicious & easy!
Yay!! Thanks so much for the 5 stars.
This topping looks so great and I know it’s to be used as a topping but I may be tempted to just eat it right out of the bowl!
I don’t blame you!
This is such a great and easy topping to be able to whip up at home! I could see keeping a big batch on hand for topping ice cream all summer long!
Yes! Sounds like a great idea!
this is such a perfect easy recipe. pineapple is such a great flavor, i love it on ice cream 🙂
oh! I can’t wait to drip this pineapple topping over pound cake … and vanilla ice cream … and … lots of things! This looks wonderful, thanks for sharing
You’re welcome, Noel!
I love the tropical taste of pineapple. Reminds me of Hawaii every time I have some. 😀 I choose ice cream!
Yes, like a mini vacation with every bite!
This is delicious! I made this to add as a topping to cottage cheese. OH MY! it’s perfection!
How long would you say it’s good for in the fridge?
I’m so glad you love it so much! It’ll stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Make sure it’s in a sealed container.
Would this work as a pie filling or for pineapple squares?
It would work for pineapple squares but I think it’ll be too thin to be used as pie filling. Sounds delicious!