This Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake is like a dessert stay-cation. A super simple vanilla cake is filled with a coconut cream pudding and crushed pineapple then chilled. Frosted with whipped topping and sprinkled with toasted macadamia nuts it packs a tropical vibe that dessert fans will love..
Popular Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake Recipe
The poke cake phenomenon reached a fever pitch at one point. It seemed that poke cakes in every single flavor you could imagine were everywhere. Perhaps it's the simplicity of preparation or the fun of coming up with creative new flavor combinations. Nonetheless, poke cakes remain. If you aren't familiar, poke cakes can be filled with any flavor of pudding, caramel, mousse, custard, sweetened condensed milk, jello and a plethora of other fillings too long to list. All of them are delectable!
Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake
Poke cakes, are one of those simple to make luscious desserts that seem to appeal to the masses. This island inspired version remains ever popular with website visitors. Since they're made in sheet cake form, they're perfect potluck fare as they can be packed up and taken to office parties, picnics or backyard soirees. As much as I try, I just can't turn this into gourmet, it's just not meant to be. Have fun with this cake, it's not too terribly serious, and bakers of all skill levels can be successful making any flavor. Other flavors you may like to try is this peanut butter lovers Reese's Poke Cake or summer ready Ice Cream Poke Cake. See the other poke cake flavors I have on my website in the recipe index here.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Hawaiian Pineapple-Coconut Poke Cake
Servings: 16 pieces
Calories: 411kcal
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 oz French vanilla or Butter cake mix plus ingredients to prepare
- 2 3.4 oz coconut cream instant pudding mix
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained
- 4 cup half and half
- 16 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- ½ cup macadamia nuts toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. [Tip: If using a box mix, use the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple adding water until the total amount called for on the package is met.] Bake according to directions.
- Remove the cake from the oven and use the handle of a wooden spoon or similar to poke holes over the entire cake. The holes need to be fairly large.
- Use a hand mixer and whip together both packages of pudding with 4 cups of cold half & half. Whip until the pudding begins to slightly thicken but is still pourable.
- Mix 1 cup pudding with the crushed pineapple. Pour this over the cake and spread into the holes while the cake is still hot.
- Immediately spread the remaining pudding on top. Place into the refrigerator and cool to the touch then frost with whipped topping.
- Sprinkle with macadamia nuts and flaked coconut. Store chilled.
Notes
To toast the nuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 432mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
Desiree Suhar
I make a cake that has these exact ingredients just layered. I however, omit the water from the cake mix ingredients and add the entire can of crushed pineapple. And I also use either the cutter cake mix or yellow cake mix. I use toasted coconut and candied pecans on the top! This cake has be deemed "THE CAKE" for all of our church events
Bev Davis
Wow! Thanks for posting this amazing recipe on Pinterest today. I look forward to trying it. When I do, I'll post a pic on my blog with a link to your recipe. Although cornbread is my passion, I enjoy making a variety of great food.... especially desserts! http://www.CornbreadMillionaire.com.
Melissa
Thanks so much I appreciate it!
Isabella
Hi Melissa. Question regarding this Hawaiian-Pineaplle Coconut Cake. Are you saying after whisking up pudding, take out 1 cup of pudding mixture and mix this 1 cup with pineapple and then pour in poked cake and rest if left-over pudding mix, pour over the cake and finally top with whipped cream with coconut flakes and nuts? Please reply as I do want to make this cake. Thanks.
Melissa
Yes you got it! Mixing the pineapple with 1 cup of the prepared pudding allows you to spread it into the holes more easily, then pour the remaining pudding on top. Top with whipped cream, coconut and nuts then chill. Happy baking!
Heidi Miller
This looks delicious! Is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened?
Melissa
Hi Heidi, it's the sweetened flaked coconut you buy in the baking section of the grocery store. I love Bakers but your favorite brand will do. I've updated the recipe to clarify. Thanks for visiting!
Sandra
I have made this several times, in fact I just made it. Everyone is absolutely crazy about it. Thank you for a great recipe and it is easy.
Melissa
Wonderful, I am thrilled you love this one. [I do too! ☺]
Courtney
were you supposed to make the pudding as directed on the pkg then add half and half? I mixed the 2 pkgs of pudding and half and half but could never get it thick. What did I do wrong?
Melissa
It sounds as if you followed the directions on the pudding mix using milk and then adding half & half? Instead you should mix the pudding mix with the half & half only as stated in the recipe. Here are the directions from the recipe. "Use a hand mixer and whip together both packages of pudding with 4 cups of cold half & half." That's why it didn't thicken.
Queenie
Hi: Making the cake now. Wouldn't it be better to put the pudding without the pineapple down first, so that it went into the holes easier. Then top with the combo pineapple and pudding?
Thanks;
Queenie
Melissa
It works perfectly fine just as the recipe is written. It's up to you if you'd like to do it differently.
Marguerite
Is the amount of half and half really 4 cups?
Melissa
The half & half is for the pudding and it is indeed 4 cups. If you prefer whole milk you can use that instead.
Ashley
I'm in the process of making your cake now! Substituted a ripe mashed banana instead of the butter that the cake mix called for. I couldn't find coconut cream pudding. So I got the French vanilla, but I am mixing with coconut milk to get the right flavors. So far it seems to be working!! Cake is baking mad looks awesome. I can't wait to try the finished product
Rosemary Millar
could coconut milk and regular milk be substituted for the half and half?
Melissa
Probably, although, I can't attest to the results personally. Let me know how it works if you try it.
Melissa
Hello Annie,
Half & half is half heavy cream and half whole milk. You can easily make this yourself, although here in the US it's sold as such. 1 stick of butter is equal to 1/2 cup or according to an online conversion chart 113.4 grams.
Annie
What's half and half? What could I use as a substitute in its place here in Australia? Cake looks awesome, would love to have a crack at making it. Could someone please tell me what is a stick of butter (how many ounces/grams), some recipes say one stick etc; and I'm clueless on how much it equates to. Thanks in advance.
CAROLIN MEADORS
one stick of butter is 4 ounces, you can make half and half using half whipping cream and half skim milk.
Marcy
A stick of butter is. 1/2 cup
Half and half is half cream and half whole milk
Melissa
Hi Mary, so happy you enjoyed this cake!
Mary
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I used this recipe for a project at school and everyone loved it! It was kinda hard to make, but in the end it was totally worth it!! YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS IT IS THE BEST CAKE EVER!!!!
Melissa
I love your idea about toasting the coconut, terrific!
Anonymous
Just made the cake haven't tried it yet but looks delicious can't wait!! I did however toast the coconut a Lil twist smells soo good thanx for this receipe:-)
Melissa
Hi Pat, it's super simple, happy baking!
Gypsy Heart
I'm starving! I love everything in this cake and can't wait to try it.
Thanks so much for sharing!
xo
Pat