Easiest Ever Pina Colada Cake Recipe

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Have you ever had Pina Colada Cake?

Me neither.

Until a month ago at my mother’s house.

I bribed her to get the recipe. (Check out all of our easy dessert recipes while you’re here. )

It’s so simple.

It’s so delicious!

But you must follow her spastic directions to a ‘T’. (My mother cracks me up!)

[Tweet “My mother’s Pina Colada Cake recipe. #recipes #dessert “]

Ingredients:

Prepare your yellow cake mix as the box instructions.

Spray the inside of a 9×13 cake pan with non-stick spray.

My mother says you MUST use a metal cake pan.

I used a glass pan and my research shows the cake tastes just fine either way.

Pour in your cake batter.

Bake according to the box directions.  Likely at 350 degrees for 30’ish minutes.

Immediately when the cake comes out of the oven, use a toothpick to poke holes in the cake.

Lots and lots of holes.

I asked my mother if you could use a fork to poke the holes, she said no.

You MUST use a toothpick AND it MUST be done as soon as the cake comes out of the oven or the cake will self destruct.

(She is a little dramatic.)

Shew, I followed directions.

Next, open a can of cream of coconut. My mother says it is really important that the can is blue with a ship on it.

My can was blue with a parrot on it.

Close enough.

Shake the can well before you open it.

Once open, pour the entire can over the cake.

Now, let the cake cool 100%.

Once the cake is cool, grab your thawed, but still in the refrigerator, whipped cream.

Smear one tub, or 3/4 of the tub because your children got into it, over the top of the cake.

Make it smooth.

Sprinkle coconut flakes over the cake.

My mother uses an entire bag, which is close to 2 cups. That is a little much for me.

I end up using about 1 cup.

And my cake did not implode.

(Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.)

Slice and plate it up.

Best when eaten after playing outside in the hot Texas heat.

Use a fork or simply shovel it into your mouth by hand.

No matter what, devour every bite.

Then take a bath.

[Tweet “Convert a yellow boxed cake mix into Pina Colada Cake! #recipes #desserts “]

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Easiest Ever Pina Colada Cake Recipe

Easiest Ever Pina Colada Cake Recipe

This recipe for pina colada cake is so super easy, moist, and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow cake mix or coconut cake mix
  • ingredients listed on your cake mix box (likely eggs, water and oil)
  • 1 can cream of coconut
  • 8 oz thawed whipped cream that has defrosted in the fridge
  • 1-2 cups shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Pre pare your boxed cake mix according to the package directions.
  2. Once cooked through poke holes throughout the entire cake using a toothpick.
  3. Shake the can of coconut well and pour over the top of the cake.
  4. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  5. Once the cake is cool top with a thick layer of cool whip and sprinkle with coconut.

63 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing this recipe with such great instructions and photo’s.
    Shows us just how easy peasy it can be to make delicious treats!

    1. Heidi, my mother…. she is wild. We always tell her she is out of control!

  2. That looks awesome! Enjoyed the part about self destructing too LOL

  3. Kim Idell says:

    Melinda made this cake for their party Sunday. If I remember correctly, she also used a glass pan. Thank goodness it came out ok. šŸ™‚

  4. I have never had pina colada cake before but that won’t last long. I will definitely be making this when I go home to visit. My friend will love it!
    Holy Cannoli Recipes

  5. what is so spastic about her directions? they seem very detailed. i like. yum!

  6. LOL…you know I love your mom even if she is a little bossy @ times (look who I am telling)! Great receipe and definitely will try it next time we have a luncheon @ work or church. My hubby doesn’t like coconut either….hmmmm I guess that means MORE for ME!!! šŸ™‚

    1. Becki, you get a crown for putting up with her every day at work. šŸ™‚

      Hope you enjoyed the cake.

  7. This looks so good. I’m having a recipe only link party “Cast Party Wednesday”. This would be a perfect addition to my party. I would love it if you came by and shared some of your recipes with us.
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!

  8. I love coconut! This looks delicious!!!

  9. Lovely! Cute little cake tester too!

    I’m going to have to give this recipe a try.

    I’m here via Sweet Tooth Friday. šŸ™‚

  10. Hi Crystal,
    Adorable photo of your baby and precious memories. That cake recipe looks so easy and the outcome so delicious, that is the kind I love. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and sure hope to see you again real soon!
    Miz Helen

    1. Thank you Miz Helen. He is a love bug for sure. And a lover of cake.

  11. Mmm….boy do I love me some Pina Colada and this cake just looks fantastic. Marking in my fave’s file. Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe!

  12. That pina colada cake sounds so yummy and tropical for summer! Every week I host a recipe swap and I’d love for you to stop by and show off a recipe. Have a good day šŸ™‚
    Katie

  13. found you over on sugar & dots.

    gotta make this.

    and poke accordingly.
    ship not parrot.
    but parrot will do.
    got it.

    thanks for the tips! šŸ˜‰

  14. That looks beyond delicious! I love Pina Colada everything–maybe I’llhave a Pina Colada party just so I can make this cake. šŸ™‚

  15. Sounds delish! Cute kid enjoying it, too! Stop over to enter Vintage Linen Giveaway!

  16. Shanaka @ Mama Bee Does says:

    Yum! I will be trying this out next week. Thanks!

  17. Hi! I’m featuring your recipe on It’s a Keeper Thursday this week! I’d love if you stopped by and grabbed a button.

    And, feel free to link up another great recipe this week too!

    Cheers!
    Christina @ It’s a Keeper
    Follow me on Facebook and Twitter

  18. This is so cool! I am a new follower. Stopping by to invite you to link up to Thrifty Thursdays. Blessings!

    Johnnie

  19. I make this cake too with the addition of 1 can of sweetened condensed milk poured over cake along with the cream of coconut. It is so rich and yummy!

  20. Congratulations Crystal!
    You are featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. You are welcome to pick up your Featured Red Plate.
    Miz Helen

  21. This looks DELICIOUS! Yum, totally trying this. Thank you for linking up to EBTKS!

  22. Candi @ Keene in the Kitchen says:

    Hi there – I just recently made a pina colada cake for someone’s birthday. It was my first time making. Mine was much different than this one, but this one still sounds good. Just one question, though… is there any pineapple in this cake or is it just a coconut cake?

  23. I sooooooooo love coconut, I’m definitely trying this (if it wasn’t close to 11pm, I’d make it right now).
    Emily
    domesticdeadline.blogspot.com

  24. Hi there- found you through the hop and am a new follower. This recipe sounds so good! Unfortunately, I can’t get cool whip here, and I’m not sure about the coconut cream. I hope you have time to follow my life in South Africa by http://withoutcomplexities.blogspot.com

    I hope you are having a great week!

  25. I can’t wait to try this and I love the humor in this post.

  26. when do you add the pineapple tidbits?

    1. ts- there is not any pineapple in this version, but I bet that would be yummy. I would fold them in (drained) after you prepare the batter and before you pour it into the pan.

      Let me know if you try it. Thanks for reading.

  27. I have made this cake for years and everyone loves it. I add a small can of crushed pineapple (drained) to the cake mix.

  28. I just this cake today and had to search for the recipe. I’m pretty sure this is it, except that the coconut on top was toasted and she added pecans on top as well. OH MY GOSH!!!!! Seriously delicious.

  29. I cannot wait to make this. I love coconut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  30. Sarah Carletti says:

    I love this idea. I love coconut!!! I would really love if you could link up to my Thursday Food Fest! I hope to see you there. Sarah

  31. Looks delicious! I have used that cream of coconut stuff in a Pina Colada punch recipe before… it is thick and gooey… should be a wonderful cake!

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Sally.
      My mother will be happy to know you find it looks wonderful.

  32. Yum! I love that flavor! I definitely need to add some coconut to my next cake.:)

  33. That sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it, it’s perfect for summer.

  34. Tara@Tales of a Trophy WIfe says:

    Sounds like the perfect summer treat!

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  37. VERA LIMA says:

    Crystal, This Pina Colada Cake is awesome. Your son is so cute and your mom is very wise on her directions. My mom thinks like your mom too.
    Very unique recipe. Congrats !!

  38. It’s missing rum. What’s PiƱa Colad without rum? Would it hurt to add a little to the batter or would the cake implode?

    1. No clue. Try it and let me know. Wear goggles in case the cake implodes.

  39. Pina Colada translates to pineapple and coconut. Although this sounds like an amazing Coconut cake the name Pina colada cake is completely misleading.

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