Ultra Moist Coconut Poke Cake
With only a few ingredients, this chilled Ultra Moist Coconut Poke Cake is perfect for the upcoming hot weather.
I love a cake recipe that requires minimal fuss for the frosting, and this one sure fits that bill. Bake up a white or yellow cake mix (with coconut extract if you’d like) and let cool. Poke your holes and pour over the can of cream of coconut, cool whip and sweetened shredded coconut. Chill until ready to serve and you are set!
Boxed Cake Mixes
This recipe calls for either white or yellow boxed cake mix. I’ve read in other reviews that yellow was preferred, but white was what I had on hand. Heck, I think even chocolate/devils food might be good!
Optional Coconut Extract
Another frequent comment I had read in reviews was that adding coconut extract to the cake batter really added some great coconut flavoring. If you happen to have that on hand, I would suggest trying it out for a more bold flavor.
Cream of Coconut Notes – Not the same thing as coconut cream!
The similar naming of these 2 products is kind of ridiculous and confusing.
Cream of coconut (what we want) is very sweet with a syrup like texture. Coconut cream is unsweetened and very thick. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the correct product to look out for.
Look for these!
Please note that each of these is a different size and will vary a lot depending on what brand you pick.
This cake is so sweet and refreshing when you have it chilled from the fridge. Do keep in mind that it is very sweet and very moist.
Variations
Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix instead of white or yellow. After poking the holes, pour the cream of coconut over the cake and let it soak in. Top with chocolate whipped cream and shredded coconut.
Lemon Coconut Poke Cake: Use a lemon cake mix instead of white or yellow. After poking the holes, pour a mixture of cream of coconut and lemon juice over the cake. Top with whipped cream and shredded coconut. Garnish with lemon slices.
Almond Joy Poke Cake: Add chopped almonds and mini chocolate chips to the cake batter before baking. After poking the holes, pour the cream of coconut over the cake and let it soak in. Top with whipped cream, shredded coconut, and more chopped almonds and chocolate chips.
Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake: Add strawberry jam or pureed strawberries to the cream of coconut before pouring it over the cake. Top with whipped cream and shredded coconut. Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Looking for more cake recipes?
- No Bake Twinkies Shortcake – another refreshing and easy dessert
- Coconut & Orange “Pig Pickin” Cake – the wonderful flavor combo of orange and coconut
- Strawberry Poke Cake – decorate this however you like, but this can be great for a July 4th dessert if you garnish with fruit to look like an American flag.
Ultra Moist Coconut Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white or yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract optional but good!
- 14 oz cream of coconut
- 2 cups or more sweetened shredded coconut
- 8 oz Cool Whip – If you like more topping go for 16 oz
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare a 13×9 inch cake pan.
- Mix cake mix, coconut extract, and any other required ingredients. Pour into pan and bake.
- Once baked, let the cake cool until it’s slightly warm, then poke holes all over it. I like to use the nearest wooden mixing spoon with a round base.
- Slowly pour cream of coconut over the cake so it soaks into the holes.
- Chill the cake for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Spread Cool Whip on top, sprinkle shredded coconut over it, and chill again until ready to serve.
- Slice and serve the cake, optionally adding additional toppings.