Pina Colada Poke Cake is the perfect Memorial Day dessert, or serve it at any summertime potluck or picnic. With flavors of coconut, pineapple, lime, and rum, it’s refreshing chilled and serves a crowd!
Here it is! My go-to dessert for Summer 2024. It’s a refreshing chilled confection that tastes like a tropical vacation. It is uncomplicated, baked in a 13×9-inch pan from which you’ll also serve it. Poke cakes are all about perforating the cake all over with a fork, then adding a flavorful soaking syrup that keeps the sponge moist and delicious. This cake’s syrup is a sweet coconut-lime drench, with a touch of rum flavor (extract or the real thing – you choose!). Just as the title implies, it is inspired by the classic .
Make the Pineapple Cake Batter
First, whisk together flour, leaven, and salt in mixing bowl. Then, combine some eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil in the bowl of an electric mixer. Alternate the flour mixture with a 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple (in its own juice), until a consistent batter forms.
If you’re a studied cake baker, then you already know how moist oil-based cakes can be. And with the addition of crushed pineapple? This is one moist and tender cake!
Pay Attention to the Bake Times
Bake this cake for 45 minutes, then tent the cake with foil. This helps the cake bake through without over-browning the top. Bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until a toothpick tester comes out clean.
Tip: Spritz the foil with a little cooking spray in case it touches the top of the cake. My foil tent sagged onto the cake’s surface and pulled a little of the browned top away when I removed it (see following image). Not that it matters, because it does get covered up. But if you have perfectionist tendencies, you’ll be happier with the end result.
Poke Holes in the Baked Cake
Use a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the warm cake. The fork is my preference, as it perforates the cake’s crumb all over, and helps every single square inch soak up some delicious coconut-lime syrup. Now. About that syrup.
Put the Lime in the Coconut
It’s SO flavorful and delicious! And this is thanks to , a product specifically for Pina Colada cocktails and wet cakes such as this one. I used and recommend Coco Lopez brand. It is a sweet syrupy canned coconut product that should not be confused with coconut cream or coconut milk. Be sure to get the right canned coconut!
Combine the cream of coconut, the juice of one lime, and rum extract (or rum) in a bowl. Whisk together until well combined and then slowly spoon or pour the mixture over the warm cake.
Make the Coconut Pudding Layer
In a large mixing bowl, beat together vanilla instant pudding mix, heavy cream, and coconut extract. Whip until well combined and thickened. The mixture may look slightly grainy – this is normal.
This creates a thick, billowy topping for the cake. Get it on there immediately, as the starch in the pudding mix will begin to firm quickly. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula.
Follow up with some sweetened whipped cream. Which is just heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread it evenly over the coconut pudding topping. Refrigerate until the pudding and whipped cream are set, at least 2 hours. All those layers of tropical flavor? Just, wonderful!
Make it Pretty
Add some maraschino cherries with stems, coconut chips (or flake coconut) and some fresh lime slices before serving. The cake can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator without the garnishes. Or, if you must decorate the cake ahead of time, add only the cherries and coconut. The lime slices will weep juices and the rinds will dry out, so add them just before serving.
This Pina Colada Poke Cake just screams summertime! I love how simple it is to bake up and assemble in a 13×9 inch dish. Everyone that tastes it loves it – and it makes a big cake! So if you have a summer family reunion or potluck, this may serve you (and your guests) well.
Related recipe:
Pina Colada Poke Cake
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Equipment
- 13×9 baking dish
- Colorful cocktail umbrella picks (1-2)
Ingredients
Pineapple Cake
Coconut Soaking Syrup
Coconut Pudding Layer
Whipped Cream Layer and Garnishes
Instructions
Pineapple Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly spray a 13×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the canned pineapple in juice. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again briefly until well combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
- Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, until well browned on top but not yet set in the middle.
- Tent the cake with a large piece of aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, the bake again for 15 additional minutes, until the cake tests done with a toothpick inserted near the center.
Coconut Soaking Syrup
- Place the cream of coconut in a large bowl. If it has separated in the can, stir it together until consistently creamy (a few lumps are okay, or see notes for removing lumps).
- Add the lime juice and rum extract. Whisk together until well combined.
- Spoon or pour the syrup over the warm cake slowly, so that the syrup penetrates into the perforations. Set aside.
Coconut Pudding Layer
- In the large bowl of an electric mixer (I used a hand mixer) add the dry pudding mix and the heavy cream. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to whip the mixture to soft peaks. Add the coconut extract. Beat again until thick and billowy. (Mixture may appear slightly grainy – this is normal).
- Immediately scoop the pudding onto the cake and spread evenly. Refrigerate while you prepare the whipped cream topping.
Whipped Cream Topping and Garnishes
- Place the whipped cream in the large bowl of an electric mixer (again, I used a hand mixer for this). Whip until slightly thickened. Sprinkle in the confectioners’ sugar as you mix. Add the vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Dollop the whipped cream over the coconut pudding layer and spread evenly, leaving about 1/2 inch of the coconut pudding layer showing around the edges. Chill the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Before serving, add the maraschino cherries and coconut. Arrange the lime slices on top, if using.
- Add a fun drink umbrella to complete the theme! Serve during warm weather months for picnics and potlucks – or anytime you crave a tropical treat.
