For today's pineapple cake, we didn't use any pineapple extract or pineapple baking emulsion. However, you could if you would like! The crushed pineapple in the cake, along with the juice, gives it a delicious, yet light pineapple flavor. If we weren't using pineapple in the filling as well, I may have added a tiny bit of pineapple extract (1 tsp) to give it an extra boost. However, that wasn't necessary with this recipe because of the homemade pineapple filling. This cake is bursting with pineapple flavor, and is perfectly balanced with the coconut in the recipe! (If I could have gotten away with eating the entire bowl of coconut cream cheese frosting, I would have, it is just that good!) I can't wait for you to try it!