Pineapple Poke Cake
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Pineapple poke cake is an explosion of pineapple made with a cake mix, crushed pineapple, juice and cool whip topped with pineapple tidbits!
This pineapple poke cake recipe is our go-to summer cake because it is fresh and bright and amazingly pineappley! We usually make this one with loaded potato salad and Cheez-it chicken.
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Pineapple Poke Cake
Pineapple Poke Cake
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Why you’ll love this recipe
📌 Burst of pineapple flavor in every bite!
📌 Made with a simple boxed cake mix.
📌 It’s a great make ahead recipe.
Pineapple Poke Cake Ingredients
- Cake mix – Butter cake mix plus ingredients needed to make it.
- Pineapple juice – Divided, swap the water in the cake mix ingredients for pineapple juice.
- Pineapple – Crushed pineapple.
- Pudding – Instant vanilla pudding.
- Milk – Skim, whole or anything in between, cold.
- Cool whip – Thawed.
- Garnish – Pineapple tidbits.
How do you make a pineapple poke cake? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, prepare the boxed cake mix according to package directions, substituting pineapple juice for the water. Mix half the drained crushed pineapple into the cake batter. Bake in a baking dish according to package directions.
⭐ Next, cool the cake slightly and poke holes in the cake evenly using the back of a wooden spoon or chopstick. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding, cold milk and pineapple juice until the mixture has started to thicken.
⭐ Then, pour the mixture over the cake and use a spatula to evenly distribute the pudding mixture, making sure it gets into all the holes. In a separate bowl, mix together the cool whip and the remaining crushed pineapple. Carefully spread the whipped topping over the top of the cake.
⭐ Finally, sprinkle pineapple tidbits over the top of the Cool Whip. Chill the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make pineapple poke cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so this is a great make ahead dessert.
What should you use to poke the holes?
A fork works great for making the holes in your poke cake, but if you want larger holes or your cake is deeper than the prongs of a fork, try using a chopstick or skewer. The end of a wooden spoon works great too!
Storage and leftovers
Do you have to refrigerate the leftovers?
Leftover pineapple poke cake should be refrigerated for best results. Otherwise the cool whip may become runny and unappetizing.
How long do leftovers last?
The leftover cake will last in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days. Keep tightly covered with a lid, plastic wrap, or foil.
Can you freeze pineapple poke cake?
To freeze pineapple poke cake you will want to do so before applying the Cool Whip and pineapple tidbits. Allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least an hour and then transfer it to the freezer in a covered freezer-safe container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before topping.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add some shaved coconut or our toasted coconut to the top for added flavor!
✅ Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a great topping as well.
✅ Make sure to use crushed pineapple for mixing into the Cool Whip and batter. Crushed pineapple is different from pineapple tidbits.
✅ We used butter cake mix for this recipe but yellow cake or white cake will also turn out great.
✅ Top with cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting instead of Cool Whip for a different flavor profile.
What to enjoy with your pineapple poke cake dessert
This easy poke cake is a great recipe to serve for any occasion! Serve it as dessert after taco rice, nacho fries, or slow cooker ribs.
More delicious pineapple recipes
- Pineapple delight
- Pineapple bundt cake
- Pineapple dump cake
- Pineapple fluff
- Pineapple ice cream
- Pineapple margarita
- Dole whip popsicles
- Pineapple tea
- Pineapple Pretzel Salad Recipe
- Bacon wrapped pineapple
- See all our easy pineapple recipes!
Other awesome poke cakes
- Banana pudding poke cake
- Lemon poke cake
- Strawberry poke cake
- Recipe Key Lime Poke Cake
- Cinnamon toast crunch poke cake
- See all our easy poke cake recipes!
Tools we love
- Glass casserole dish – I love when a dish comes with a lid. Perfect for popping leftovers in the fridge.
- Spatula – These ingredients are ooey gooey and sticky. You for sure want to be using a spatula to make sure you’re properly measuring and using all your ingredients.
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Pineapple Poke Cake
Pineapple Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box butter cake mix plus the ingredients needed to make it (substitute pineapple juice for the water)
- 1 can crushed pineapple (20 ounces) drained
- 1 box box instant vanilla pudding (5.1 ounces)
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup pineapple juice (can use the drained juice from the crushed pineapple and tidbits)
- 8 ounces cool whip
- optional garnish: pineapple tidbits
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, substituting pineapple juice for the water. Mix half of the drained crushed pineapple into the batter. Bake in a 9x13 inch dish, according to the directions on the box.
- Once the cake has cooled a little bit, poke holes evenly all over the top using the back of a wooden spoon or a chopstick.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding, 2 cups of cold milk and 1 cup of pineapple juice until the mixture has started to thicken. Pour over the cake and use a spatula to evenly distribute the pudding mixture and making sure it gets into all the holes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cool whip with the remaining half of crushed pineapple. Carefully spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake.
- If desired, sprinkle pineapple tidbits over the top. Chill the completed cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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I love all the tropical flavor in this poke cake, too. It’s so nice and moist without being soggy, which is always great when you’re making a poke cake.
This recipe is a home run! So easy to follow and every one loved it!
I made your Pineapple Poke Cake for dessert last night, and it was incredible! The cake was so moist, and the pineapple flavor was perfect. Everyone had seconds!
This was so easy to make and turned out so good! Everyone in my family loved it!
This dessert offers a burst of pineapple flavor in every bite, perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.
what size can of crushed pineapple?