Pina Colada Cake Recipe

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Published: February 17, 2022Author: Contributor
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We have always loved the flavor combination of coconut and pineapple. Our Pina Colada Cake brings out those flavors in every delicious bite. We'll just say "you're welcome" right now, because your family will be thanking you for this cake!
Pina Colada Cake Recipe

Every now and then you get a recipe that you love to make over and over again. Pina Colada cake is one of those amazing dessert recipes.

It’s so easy to make, and every bite is moist and bursting with coconut and pineapple flavors. The mixture you pour into the holes is just the right amount of sweetness.

This cake is a family favorite and was given to us by our Grandma Char’s cousin – Maxine. It shows up at a lot of family gatherings. Close your eyes and you’ll be in a tropical paradise with every bite.

WHAT IS A POKE CAKE?

Poke cakes have been around for many years. They are so fun to make and serve to guests. Each slice looks so pretty on a plate.

A poke cake is true to it’s name – a cake you poke holes in after baking.

Each of those holes are then filled with some type of filling or liquid. Many are sweet to add flavor to the cake. Filling ingredients are often sweetened condensed milk,  chocolate, pudding, cream, jello. The options are endless.

Filling the holes with some type of filling adds so much flavor to every bite of cake.

HOW DO YOU STORE PINA COLADA CAKE?

We store Pina Colada Cake in the fridge to help the mixture set up that was poured into all of the holes.

Pina Colada Cake is also covered with real whipping cream, so that will need to be refrigerated.

The cake is fine to set out for an hour while serving and eating it. What isn’t eaten within the hour should then be placed back in the fridge.

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CAN YOU MAKE PINA COLADA CAKE AHEAD OF TIME?

Pina Colada cake is best when made the same day as it is served. You could make it the night before, but the bottom tends to be a little soggy after it sets for a long time. The sweet bottom of the cake is actually the part that our kids love the most.

Whenever you make a poke cake, whatever you place in those holes is naturally going to sink to the bottom of the cake. It does create a moister cake, but with each passing day will get a little soggy on the bottom.

Pina Colada cake is a crowd favorite. It is best to poke your holes only 1/2 way through the cake, this will help with the liquid puddling in the bottom of your pan.

HOW TO MAKE PINA COLADA CAKE

  • Make the yellow cake according to directions on box for a 9 x 13 inch pan. We used a glass baking pan for our cake.
  • When cake is done baking, poke holes all over the cake with the handle end of a wooden spoon while the cake is still warm.
  • Mix the pineapple juice that has been reserved from the crushed pineapple needed later on in this recipe, along with the sweetened condensed milk, and coconut cream.
  • Spoon this mixture over the top of the cake. Try to get it into all of the holes.
  • Then let the cake cool completely.
  • Top the cake with the drained crushed pineapple. Try to cover the whole cake as best as you can.
  • Combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar together and beat until it can form stiff peaks.
  • Spread whipped cream over the crushed pineapple.
Serves: 20

Pina Colada Cake Recipe

We have always loved the flavor combination of coconut and pineapple. Our Pina Colada Cake brings out those flavors in every delicious bite. 
Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix 1 box
  • 1 cup water (called for on box)
  • 3 eggs (called for on box)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (called for on box)
  • 15 ounces crushed pineapple 1 can, (drain and reserve juice)
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
  • 8 ounces cream of coconut
  • 1½ cups shredded sweetened coconut

Sweetened Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Spray the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
  • Make the yellow cake according to directions on the box.
  • When it is done baking, remove from oven and poke holes all over the entire top of the cake with the other end of a wooden spoon. Do this while the cake is still hot. Pressing the holes about halfway through the baked cake.
  • Mix together the pineapple juice reserved from the crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut together. Whisk until well stirred.
  • Spoon the mixture over the top of the cake trying to pour it into the holes.
  • Let the cake cool completely.
  • Top the cake with the well drained crushed pineapple.
  • In another bowl mix the sweetened whipped cream by beating the whipping cream and powdered sugar in a bowl until thick and it can stand on it's own.
  • Spread carefully over the crushed pineapple.
  • Top with shredded coconut.
  • Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

  • We store Pina Colada Cake in the fridge to help the mixture set up that was poured into all of the holes.

Nutrition

Calories: 369 kcal · Carbohydrates: 34 g · Protein: 5 g · Fat: 25 g · Saturated Fat: 17 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 79 mg · Sodium: 162 mg · Potassium: 208 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 25 g · Vitamin A: 503 IU · Vitamin C: 3 mg · Calcium: 128 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch Baking Pan
  • Non-stick Cooking Spray
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Medium Mixing Bowl (2)
  • Whisk

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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Pina Colada Cake on a plate with a fork

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  1. Sunshine - www.cancerinthecity.com says:
    February 26, 2013
    I must try this!

    www.cancerinthecity.com
    Reply
  2. Georgie Porgie says:
    February 26, 2013
    We make this for Easter every year (sans the pineapple) and color the coconut green. Occasionally we'll add some jelly beans for "easter eggs". It's the most delicious cake!
    Reply
  3. Michael Ann says:
    February 26, 2013
    This looks absolutely amazing. I've shared the link on The Big Green Bowl FB page. Can you use Cool Whip instead of whipping cream and powd. sugar?
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      February 26, 2013
      Yes. It just won't be as rich and creamy as real whipping cream.
      -The Six Sisters
      Reply
  4. cambric cotton, pins and needles says:
    February 26, 2013
    Hi, I'm from Australia and would love to make this, but I need some help. What is Yellow cake mix with pudding in the mix?
    Reply
    • branbrumom says:
      February 26, 2013
      You can use a regular cake mix and just add dry instant vanilla pudding in with it.
      Reply
      • jomarie says:
        April 22, 2016
        thank you for the tip!
        Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      February 26, 2013
      Some cake mixes come with pudding in the mix. It will say it on the front of the cake mix box. A yellow cake mix will work just fine too. -The Six Sisters
      Reply
  5. Tamsin says:
    February 26, 2013
    I'm from Australia too and this sounds good but just need a substitute cake mix, looks like I may have to try working on it myself...
    Reply
  6. Chandra Sirois says:
    February 27, 2013
    I want to face plant right in the middle of this cake! I love how easy it is and oh my the fun possibilities! This is a must make!
    Reply
  8. Christina @ It's a Keeper says:
    February 27, 2013
    Ooooh! I can't wait to try this recipe!! Coconut tickles my fancy!

    Christina @ It's a Keeper
    Reply
    • Paula Woodward says:
      June 10, 2020
      I only used half the"sauce"as it looked like plenty. I kept the rest to make Pina coladas with this weekend. It was plenty. I think it would have been really soggy with the full amount. I also added a tablespoon of coconut rum. Yummy cake!
      Reply
  9. KC Coake says:
    March 1, 2013
    Looks so light and fluffy and yummy!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Real Family Fun!
    KC
    Reply
  10. jrnnifer says:
    June 16, 2013
    Does this have to be refrigerated?
    Reply
    • Cyd says:
      June 17, 2013
      It should be refrigerated with the whipping cream in the frosting. It will be fine left out an hour or so while serving and eating it. Hope this helps. -The Six Sisters
      Reply
  11. Caroline says:
    July 22, 2013
    I made this tonight for a church supper. Every crumb was eaten, and I received so many compliments! Thanks for a great recipe; it's a keeper for me!!
    Reply
  12. Shirley Funk says:
    August 29, 2013
    Can this be made a day ahead?
    Reply
    • Linda says:
      June 15, 2014
      Did you ever get any feedback about making the cake a day ahead?? Thanks.
      Reply
      • Cyd says:
        June 17, 2014
        This cake can be made a day ahead. It may start to get a little soggy on the bottom from being a poke cake and draining all the liquid in the holes. Be sure to store it in the refrigerator.
        Reply
  13. Linda Martin says:
    June 15, 2014
    This cake is easy and absolutely delicious!!! My question is the same as the previous one....can this be made the night before or will it get too soggy?? Thanks!
    Reply
  14. Jamee says:
    April 19, 2015
    So we made this this morning and ate it late afternoon and it tasted good. But in prep after reading the comments I made sure to drain the pineapple well. Still turned out soggy :( .... when you poke holes are you suppose to poke all the way down, or try and only go half way? And if you cut out some of the sweetened condensed milk would that be okay, it was a little too rich for me. Sorry for all the questions I'm no whiz in the kitchen! Haha
    Reply
    • Cyd says:
      April 20, 2015
      Don't poke the holes all the way to the bottom. Just about halfway to 3/4 down. Sorry it was soggy for you. It is very moist with all of the ingredients added into the holes.
      Reply
  15. TAMMY says:
    April 25, 2015
    In theory this cake should be amazing! However, it is way too soggy. I only poked 3/4 of the way down and squeezed all the juice out of the pineapple with a lime juicer. I'm going to try using the cream of coconut and pineapple juice and leaving out the sweetened condensed milk next time. Wish me luck.
    Reply
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