Easy Pina Colada Poke Cake with amazing coconut and pineapple flavors! So easy to prepare you will not believe it uses a boxed cake mix.
Pina Colada Cake Recipe
I'm sorry. I should apologize because this cake is so dang delicious that it will not last long. This Pina Colada Poke Cake Recipe was a hit and disappeared as soon as I started serving it.
Whenever I serve this delicious poke cake, I see my guests return to the kitchen and come back with more on their plates. John kept sneaking bites each time he walked through the kitchen.
I am going to fully admit to doing the same thing. This cake is heaven on a plate! DELISH!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Piña Colada Poke Cake! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Yellow Cake Mix + Ingredients Needed on the Box (eggs, water, vegetable oil)
- Crushed Pineapple
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Whipped Topping
- Shredded Coconut / toasted coconut
Equipment Needed
- 9x13 or 8x8 Baking Pan
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon/hand mixer
- Non-stick cooking spray
If you want to make this even more Pina Colada Cocktail in flavor you can also drizzle real rum over the cake and let it soak in.
How to Make Piña Colada Poke Cake
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Prepare cake mix
- Mix pineapple into the cake batter, and bake
- Poke holes along the top of the warm cake in 1-inch intervals, and pour sweetened condensed milk over the top of the cake evenly. Allow to cool.
- Spread Cool Whip whipped cream over the cake top for the frosting and sprinkle with coconut and remaining pineapples.
Don't forget to preheat the oven!
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: Make-ahead Piña Colada Poke Cake Recipe is super easy! Follow the directions through the end of step 2, then prepare the rest of the cake within three days.
Storage: Since Piña Colada Poke Cake contains fruit, it has a shorter shelf life than poke cakes that don’t contain ingredients that are quick to perish. Enjoy any leftovers within three days, and always refrigerate them in an airtight container for freshness.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Cakes freeze exceptionally well, and this tropical cocktail-inspired cake is no exception. Freeze leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three months. Let any frozen portions you want to enjoy thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on your kitchen countertop so you still get a chilled cake.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions: We use a yellow cake mix, but you can use white or French vanilla. A spiced cake mix is also yummy if you enjoy spiced rum in your piña coladas!
I have seen recipes that use coconut cream pudding mix. We have not tried this mixture with the cake.
Vegetarian Option: This is a delicious vegetarian-safe dessert recipe!
Vegan Option: Make this cake vegan-friendly with a vegan cake mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping substitute.
Gluten-Free: Your Piña Colada Poke Cake should be gluten-free if you use a gluten-free cake mix. Check all the labels on your ingredients if you are highly sensitive.
Alcohol-Free Option: Add rum extract to your cake if you want the decadence of rum without the alcohol.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe yields 30 servings using one boxed cake mix. Scale it up or down to your desired number of servings.
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 19 grams of sugar per serving. Use a sugar-free cake mix, crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, and a Cool Whip alternative to make this cake sugar-free.
Tips for the Best Piña Colada Poke Cake
- To make the Pina Colada Cocktail flavor even more robust, drizzle rum over the cake and let it soak in.
- Maraschino cherries are a fantastic cake topping for extra fun and flavor. Add one or two on top of each slice.
What to Serve with Piña Colada Cake
This cheerful tropical poke cake is the perfect sweet bite for your next summertime gathering or tiki feast! Here are some menu pairing suggestions.
Sides: Pineapple Stuffing, Hawaiian Hurricane Popcorn, Watermelon Salad, CrockPot Jamaican Jerk Wings, Hawaiian Mac Salad, CrockPot Spicy Mango Jerk Wings
Main Dishes: CrockPot Teriyaki Chicken, Funeral Sandwiches, CrockPot Hawaiian Chicken, CrockPot Teriyaki Chicken and Veggies, CrockPot Pineapple Salsa Chicken Tacos, CrockPot Hawaiian Pulled Pork
Desserts: Pig Pickin' Cake, Mandarin Orange Jello Salad, Pineapple Angel Food Cake, CopyCat Sonic Coconut Cream Pie Shake, 2 Ingredient Coconut Macaroon Cookies, Bahama Mama Popsicle, Margarita Pie, Key Lime Bars, Coconut Pineapple Drop Cookies
Drinks: Vodka Sunrise, Malibu Sunset, Carnival Rum Jumper Cocktail, Carnival Ting Mojito, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot, Blue Shark Cocktail, CopyCat Carnival Caribbean Breeze Cocktail, Dirty Banana Cocktail, Mai Tai, Guavaberry Colada, Coral Reef Cocktail
When to Serve Piña Colada Poke Cake
- Summer Parties
- Tiki Parties
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
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Pina Colada Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 can Crushed Pineapple drained
- 14 Ounce Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 8 Ounce Cool Whip
- ⅔ cup Coconut Flakes
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to the directions
- Mix ½ can of pineapple into the batter, bake according to the directions
- With a fork poke holes along the top of the warm cake in 1 inch intervals, pour sweetened condensed milk over the cake evenly. Allow to cool
- Top by spreading whipped topping over the cake, sprinkle with coconut and remaining pineapples
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared on March 15, 2015. Updated November 2020, September 2023
Andrew
Ohh pineapple and coconut is one of my favorite flavor combinations! I'm also a fan of 'few' ingredient recipes - this is perfect and sounds great!
Tosh
This looks like my next hit for my upcoming pool party!!! It has to be good since it has my 2 favorite ingredients, pineapple and coconut! yummy!!
Tammilee
So good!!! SO easy to make! I hate to admit how quickly this cake disappeared.
Jenna Wood
Yummy! Pineapple is really big here in SoCal- especially on cakes and pizzas. I'm not much of a pineapple person- I love the flavor but not the texture, so cake is always a great option, especially with coconut.
Daisy
This is such an awesome recipe! I love Pina Colada anything.... but especially this cake!