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square piece of pina colada cake on a white plate frosted with white frosting and toasted coconut. a pineapple and another piece of cake can be seen in the background.
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5 from 66 votes

Pina Colada Cake (Pineapple Coconut Cake)

This Pina Colada Cake is loaded with all the amazing flavors you'll find in a Pina Colada cocktail! Delicious and easy, this pineapple coconut cake recipe starts with a box mix but tastes like it's from a bakery - so good!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword pina colada cake, pina colada cake recipe, pina colada poke cake, pineapple coconut cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 253kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

Cake

  • 15.25 ounce cake mix white, vanilla or yellow cake mix will work (1 box needed)
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple do not drain, spoon from the can into the measuring cup
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 3 large eggs room temperature

Pina Colada Filling

  • 15 ounces cream of coconut not coconut cream and not coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk can be substituted
  • ½ cup pineapple juice
  • 2 teaspoons rum extract

Frosting

  • 3.4 ounces instant coconut cream pudding mix vanilla or french vanilla instant pudding can be substituted
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 8 ounces whipped topping
  • ½ cup crushed pineapple well drained
  • cup toasted coconut for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with square edges with baking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, crushed pineapple, vegetable oil and eggs. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed for about 30 seconds and then increase the speed to medium and continue mixing for another 2 minutes.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top so the cake bakes up evenly.
  • Bake for 28 to 33 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
  • Using a fork, gently poke holes all over the cake. Try not to crumble the top of the cake the best you can.

Prepare the Pina Colada Filling

  • Whisk together the cream of coconut, pineapple juice and rum extract in a medium size bowl. Slowly and carefully pour over the top of the cake allowing it to fill in the holes and absorb into the cake. Let the cake rest until the liquid is fully absorbed and the cake has completely cooled.

Pina Colada Frosting

  • Combine pudding mix and milk in a large bowl and whisk until it thickens, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the whipped topping and fold in until no streaks remain. Add the pineapple (making sure it has been well drained) and fold into the mixture until evenly combined.
  • Gently smooth the frosting over the top of the cooled cake with an offset spatula keeping it as even as possible. If you like, top the cake with toasted coconut. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Storage Information
You can store leftovers of this cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze this recipe! Let the cake cool fully then seal in a freezer safe container and store for up to 3 months. Let the cake thaw in the fridge before serving. You can even freeze the cake in individual slices, so you only have to defrost a piece at a time when you’re craving a sweet treat but don’t want a whole cake!

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg