Thinking fondly about spring and summer with this layered pina colada dessert recipe. From the taste of the delicious pineapple, coconut, and cherry flavors, you will be longing for those warm days.
If you are itching for summer to come back, you might just be able to fool yourself a bit with our layered pina colada dessert recipe. Once you take a bite, your tastebuds will bring you soaring back to those days of sitting on the beach drinking pina coladas or at least make you imagine you could do that. Haha.
This lush dessert recipe is one of those super easy dessert recipes that you don’t even have to bake. It all sets up beautifully without any heat needed, but you can always toast your coconut if you want to!
When you make this pina colada cake the ingredients bring so much flavor to the cake that when you take a bite will explode in your mouth. And of course, instantly becomes a dangerously delicious dish, as if you are anything like me, you will be having an internal battle trying to justify just one more piece!
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make Layered Pina Colada Dessert (Lush), you will need the following ingredients:
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Butter, melted
- Sugar
- Cream cheese
- Crushed pineapple, drained
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Instant coconut cream pudding mix
- Cool Whip, thawed
- Sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How To Make Layered Pina Colada Dessert (Lush)
- In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9×13″ baking pan. Place the crust in the fridge while you make the next layer.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese, pineapple and powdered sugar together. Stir in the vanilla extract. Remove the prepared crust from the fridge and spread cream cheese mixture onto crust.
- Rinse out the bowl and then use it to mix together the milk and pudding mix. Whisk until it starts to thicken up (it will take about 2 minutes). Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip, then spread the pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top as the final layer.
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut and place dessert in the fridge to set up (let it stay refrigerated for at least 2-3 hours).
- If desired, top each piece with a maraschino cherry when serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by preheating the oven to 325ºF. Then place shredded coconut in a single layer on a large baking sheet that has been lined with a baking mat or parchment paper.
Then put the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake the coconut for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, open the oven and gently stir the coconut with a spatula.
Continue to bake the coconut until it is golden brown, which should take about 3–4 more minutes (watch carefully because once it starts to brown, it can burn very quickly!).
Then remove the coconut from the oven and let it cool completely, then use it as a topping for your dessert.
Lush desserts are usually layered desserts that are rich and creamy! Some call them “Dessert Lasagnas” because all of their layers look like lasagna layered in a pan.
They are some of the simplest desserts to make, but always taste fantastic.
Another great way to set your desserts apart from others is by using homemade vanilla extract. While the process to make it simple, it does take a while for it to be ready to use.
But, I promise you that it does make a difference in dessert. Plus, it can be alot cheaper to make homemade vanilla than buying at the store and it can make for great gifts.
Storage Suggestions
If you manage to have any leftover cake, these can store well if prepped appropriately. Once the cake has cooled completely, here is how you can store it:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Enjoy More Delicious Eclair Cakes and Lush Recipes
Some days there’s nothing we want more than a slice of chocolate cake. Check out our comprehensive list of cake recipes here.
- Eclair Cake
- Layered Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert Recipe
- Eggnog Eclair Cake
- Strawberries and Cream Cake Recipe
Layered Pina Colada Dessert Recipe (Lush)
Ingredients
- 2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 package cream cheese, (8 ounces), room temperature
- 1 can crushed pineapple, (8 ounces), drained
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cup milk, (I used 2%, whole milk works great too)
- 1 package instant coconut cream pudding mix, (3.4 ounces)
- 1 carton Cool Whip Whipped Topping, (8 ounces), thawed and divided
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
- maraschino cherries, optional topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9×13" baking pan. Place the crust in the fridge while you make the next layer.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese, pineapple and powdered sugar together. Stir in the vanilla extract. Remove the prepared crust from the fridge and spread cream cheese mixture onto crust.
- Rinse out the bowl and then use it to mix together the milk and pudding mix. Whisk until it starts to thicken up (it will take about 2 minutes). Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip, then spread the pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top as the final layer.
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut and place dessert in the fridge to set up (let it stay refrigerated for at least 2-3 hours).
- If desired, top each piece with a maraschino cherry when serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Can I use vanilla pudding instead?
Of course! Obviously it will change the taste, but you can absolutely use it.
Do I bake the crust or just refrigerate?
Just refrigerate the crust after assembling