Island Papaya Cake

Bring the taste of the islands straight to your kitchen with this moist and tropical Island Papaya Cake. Made with ripe papayas, cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts. This Hawaiian-inspired dessert is perfect for family gatherings, summer parties, or anytime you crave a slice of the tropics. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, it’s a flavorful and decadent tropical treat.

This cake is simple to make using pantry staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, and eggs. Moreover, combined with fresh papaya for a natural sweetness. If you love tropical flavors, you might also enjoy our Hawaiian Pineapple Upside Down Cake — another classic island dessert.

For tips on picking perfectly ripe papayas, check out this guide on choosing ripe papaya. Using fresh, juicy papayas ensures your cake comes out moist, aromatic, and full of tropical flavor.

Pair this Island Papaya Cake with our Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream. You can also, enjoy it alongside refreshing tropical drinks like Hawaiian Iced Tea for a complete island-inspired dessert experience.

Whether you’re baking for a luau, a birthday, or just to treat yourself, this Island Papaya Cake captures the flavors of Hawaii and brings a slice of paradise to your table. Check out our full collection of Hawaiian dessert recipes for more tropical inspiration.

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Island Papaya Cake

It is not too often that I have an abundance of overripe papayas. But once in a while, it happens.  This is a great recipe to make use of any you might have.

Posted By: Deirdre K Todd

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Hawaiian, Local

Servings 12 Serves

Calories 584 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups ripe papayas diced
• 1 cup walnuts chopped

Icing:

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup butter softened
• 3/4 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.In a mixing bowl; whisk together oil, sugar and eggs; adding eggs one at a time.
• Add dry ingredients stirring to combine well.
• Stir in papaya and walnuts.Transfer into prepared pan. Bake 30-40 minutes.
• Cool before icing.
• In a mixing bowl; cream together cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla well.
• Spread icing over cooled cake.

How To Serve:

• Serves 12-14.

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 8gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 554mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 601IUVitamin B1: 0.2mgVitamin B5: 1mgVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 2mg

Keyword island papaya cake, papaya cake recipe, Hawaiian papaya cake, fresh papaya cake, homemade papaya cake

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