Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake

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5 from 42 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

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Pineapple Poke Cake is a moist, fruity, tropical cake that you will find irresistible. It has a wonderful flavor, is a tender cake, and you will get the texture of the pineapple in each bite.

A slice of Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake on plate with a fork on the side.

This pineapple poke cake is a creamy tropical cake filled with lush pineapple and smothered in coconut. It’s a light, flavorful, and indulgent poke cake dessert. Packed with all those summer flavors we crave all year long. If summer had a taste it would be this delicious poke cake.


MORE POKE CAKE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Pina Colada Poke Cake | Oreo Poke Cake | Christmas Poke Cake


What We Love About This Recipe

This recipe is so easy because it starts with a boxed cake mix. Poke cake is just a regular cake recipe that is 100 times better because we poke some holes in it while it’s still warm and then add some filling. In this cake, we’re adding pineapple and pudding, but in some recipes you add whipped cream, sauces, fruit filling, etc.

  • 30 Minute Meal: Just follow the package directions and then add a few extras to make a wonderful coconut cake.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the fridge to make this yummy dessert.
  • Family Friendly: This moist cake makes you feel like you are on a tropical vacation.
  • Adaptable: Can make with different cake mixes for different flavors.
  • Great for Parties: Great recipe for a family reunion or summer cookout, it is a real crowd pleaser.

It goes great with the Best Piña Colada Recipe!

Ingredients needed to make the coconut poke cake recipe.

Ingredient Notes for the Simple Dessert

  • Yellow Cake Mix: Plus the ingredients needed to make cake as directed, soft butter, eggs and water
  • Crushed Pineapple: One can, you can use pineapple in its own juice or in a syrup
  • Sugar: White sugar
  • Vanilla instant pudding: One box of instant vanilla pudding mix
  • Cold milk: Whole milk is best for this recipe
  • Eagle brand condensed milk
  • Cool whip topping: thawed, try low fat or sugar free versions to save a few calories
  • Coconut: One bag for on top of the entire cake. Toasted will truly up the flavor.
A slice of Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake on a small plate with a fork on the side.

Equipment Needed for the Homemade Pineapple Cake

How to Make Coconut Pineapple Poke Cake

These are the basic steps for making Coconut Poke Cake Recipe. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions for this easy dessert recipe.

STEP 1: BAKE CAKE

First, in a large bowl follow the preparation directions on the box for the cake mix. Pour cake batter into a prepared baking pan sprayed with cooking spray and then bake.

a collage of 3 images showing how to make the coconut poke cake.

STEP 2: POKE

Next, take the cake from the oven and use the end of a wooden spoon to carefully poke holes in the cake. Do this while the cake is still warm.

a collage of 3 images showing how to prepare the pineapple for the pineapple and coconut cake.

STEP 3: PREPARE PINEAPPLE

Then, in a small saucepan boil the crushed pineapple with the sugar for about 2 or 3 minutes. Pour the pineapple syrup over the still warm cake and let the cake cool at room temperature. When the cake is cooled, mix the pudding with milk and condensed milk. Spread the mixture on top of the cake when it’s done being mixed and is soft set.

a collage of 3 images showing how to make the topping for the pineapple and coconut cake.

STEP 4: FINISH

Spread the cool whip on top of the layer of pudding. Finally, add coconut on top of the whipped topping. Refrigerate the cake and let it get nice and cold before serving.

Prep and Storage Tips for the Easiest Cake Recipes

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

A poke cake is moist and therefore can get soggy fast. You can make the cake in advance and wrap well in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

The cake can be frozen for up to six months, ideally without the toppings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER?

It is possible to save a few calories in this recipe by using fat free or lower fat versions of the ingredients. Also, you can use a sugar replacement for the pineapple topping.

CAN I DECORATE WITH DIFFERENT FRUIT?

Of course, you can finish with some maraschino cherries or fresh pineapple chunks for even more pineapple flavor, and to make the delicious pineapple poke cake festive.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO POKE HOLES IN A POKE CAKE?

The ideal amount of holes should be about an inch apart, using the handle of a wooden spoon is ideal for this task.

a slice of Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake on a small plate with a fork on the side.

Expert Tips for Making This Recipe

  • No Wooden Spoon: Try using a straw to poke the holes in the top of the cake.
  • Toast: Toast the coconut in the oven for a wonderful flavor to the cake.
  • Variation tip: You can use a vanilla cake mix, a white cake mix or even a pineapple cake mix.
  • Dietary consideration tip: Try using a sugar free cake mix.

What to Serve with Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake

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5 from 42 votes

Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake

Yield: 12 Servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Pineapple Poke Cake is a moist, fruity, tropical cake that you will find irresistible. It has a wonderful flavor, is a tender cake, and you will get the texture of the pineapple in each bite.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow cake mix, ingredients needed to make cake as directed, soft butter, eggs and water
  • 20 ounce can crushed pineapple
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5.1 ounces vanilla instant pudding, 1 box
  • 2 ½ cups cold milk
  • ½ cup Eagle brand condensed milk
  • 8 ounces Cool whip topping, thawed
  • 14 ounce bag coconut

Instructions

  • The first thing we need to do is prepare the cake mix. You’ll follow the directions on the back of the box. They can vary slightly between brands so just follow the directions for whichever type you bought!
  • Next, take the cake from the oven and use a wooden spoon to carefully poke holes in the cake. You can do it randomly or go in rows like I do, either way will work. Do this while the cake is still warm.
  • The next thing we need to do is boil the crushed pineapple with the sugar for about 2 or 3 minutes. You’ll pour this over the still warm cake after you have finished simmering it for a few minutes. You can prepare this during the last 10 or so minutes of bake time on your cake if you like!
  • Let the cake cool completely. Then make the pudding with milk and condensed milk. We will spread that on top of the cake when it’s done being mixed and is soft set.
  • Next up we have the whipped topping. Spread the cool whip on top of the layer of pudding.
  • Finally, top all of that with coconut! It looks incredible and you’ll want to dive right in but you should let the cake get nice and cold before serving…trust me the flavors all need just a little bit of time to come together!
  • Refrigerate the cake and let it get nice and cold before serving.

Expert Tips

  • No Wooden Spoon: Try using a straw to poke the holes in the top of the cake.
  • Toast: Toast the coconut in the oven for a wonderful flavor to the cake.
  • Variation tip: You can use a vanilla cake mix, a white cake mix or even a pineapple cake mix.
  • Dietary consideration tip: Try using a sugar free cake mix.
 

Estimated Nutritional Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American

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2 thoughts on “Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake”

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    Reply

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