Coconut Cream Poke Cake
I’m really thrilled to be sharing this next recipe. First of all, because we made it recently to celebrate my Momma’s birthday. Secondly, because it’s another one of those easy cakes to make but tastes outta-this-world good.
Last year my Mom really wanted some Pea Pickin’ Cake to celebrate her special day. And because she loves those tropical flavors so much, I decided to make her a Coconut Cream Poke Cake this year. The cake is so moist and has such a great creamy, coconut flavor that I think even folks who are not coconut lovers will fall in love with this one!
Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix
ingredients needed to make cake (egg whites, oil & water)
1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
1 (8 oz) container COOL WHIP, thawed
1 (8 oz) package sweetened flaked coconut
The original recipe also called for a small can of sweetened condensed milk. I have since found that it really isn’t necessary in this cake. It is already plenty sweet and creamy with just the cream of coconut, but if you’d like, you can certainly add it to your recipe.
You want to use Cream of Coconut – not coconut milk. Cream of Coconut can usually be found in the alcohol aisle of your grocery store. It tends to be near all the margarita mixes. My local Walmart doesn’t currently carry it but I am able to find it at Kroger. When you open the can, you will need to give it a good stir because the cream part tends to separate from the liquid.
Directions:
Prepare and bake white cake mix according to package directions for a 9×13 pan. Remove cake from oven, and while still hot, poke holes all over the top of cake using a large fork.
Open can of Cream of Coconut (making sure to stir it first) and pour over warm cake.
Make sure you evenly coat the whole cake and spread it around so it will soak in. Let cake cool completely then frost with whipped topping.
Then top with flaked coconut. If you like you can toast your coconut first but we prefer it untoasted.
Keep cake refrigerated. I think this cake tastes best after it has cooled for at least a couple of hours. It gives it time for the coconut flavors to really soak in.
Enjoy!.jpg)
Coconut Cream Poke Cake
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 457 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- ingredients needed to make cake: egg whites, oil and water)
- 1 15 oz can cream of coconut
- 1 8 oz container COOL WHIP thawed
- 1 8 oz package sweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
- Prepare and bake white cake mix according to package directions for a 9 x 13 pan.
- Remove cake from oven, and while still hot, poke holes all over the top of cake using a large fork.
- Open can of Cream of Coconut (making sure to stir it first) and pour over warm cake.
- Evenly coat the whole cake and spread it around so it will soak in.
- Let cake cool completely then frost with whipped topping.
- Then top with flaked coconut.
Recipe Notes
If you like you can toast your coconut first. Keep cake refrigerated. I think this cake tastes best after it has cooled for at least a couple of hours. It gives it time for the coconut flavors to really soak in.
Nutrition Facts
Coconut Cream Poke Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 457 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 399mg 17%
Potassium 129mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 74g 25%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 53g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1.5%
Calcium 11.6%
Iron 7.4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Mmmmmm, I adore coconut. And this would be SO perfect on a day like today!
Gorgeous!
I love coconut flavored foods. This looks so delicious!
Hi Brandie! Thanks for sharing this recipe! It's one of my favorites! Blessings from Bama!
I love when you do poke cakes, they always look SO good!
Sooo soft and delicious.
Yum! This cake looks so yummy. You can't go wrong with coconut.
This looks really yummy! I love coconut cake. Makes me want to make one now! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Brandie, first time commenting but long time reader. I made your TACO BAKE last night and it was delicious, thanks for the recipe!!
This cake is so delicious looking. I absolutely adore these poke cakes. You just can't go wrong with them.
That's my girl! =-) Another wonderful doctored up cake from Miz Brandie. I made this many years ago…oh how excellent! Looks divine…
What a great recipe, this cake looks super delicious! 🙂
I love the ease of this recipe and I love coconut. How long will the cake last?
Sounds yummy! I'm going to make this one for sure.
I attended a function in Texas a few years back and they served this cake. The lady who made it gave my Aunt and I the recipe and I have shared it many times.
It is our "favorite" cake! My darling husband thinks he is the luckiest husband in the world when I bake this cake for him. When Papa is happy, Mama is happy!!
Thanks for sharing. Sunny
A beautiful and delicious cake – it looks so luscious!
Mary x
Simple, quick and delicious rules!!
Oh my, that looks good!
I made this last night for my anniversary, and my husband LOVED it!! Keep 'em coming, please!!
Made this and it was delicious. The sweetened condensed milk is not needed. It is perfect just like this!
I am going tomorrow to the store and get coconut and whipped topping
Would you send me the instructions for. the Pineapple cake.?
I want to make 2 for Sunday.
Thank you.;)
Joycie
jdefaye@comcast.net
Oh and I forgot I also add a an of drained crushed pineapple to the top of the cake before spreading on the cool whip.
Oh i make this one too "cool &your creamy coconut cake" yum!!
Now that sounds so so delicious. When I’m at the store, I need to pick up all the items to make this awesome cake.
This was always a family favorite this time of the year, especially for Easter. My aunt would always make it. Now I make it. The only difference in my recipe and yours is I mix a can of sweetened condensed milk to the cream of coconut before pouring over the cake. Oh so gooey and rich! Also my recipe calls for the yellow cake mix with the pudding in the mix (which I never can find anymore of I just use the butter recipe cake mix now).
Okay I officially love you now. This is spectacular.
My daughter has requested a coconut cake for her birtday. This looks like a winner!
Oh, I absolutely LOVE coconut! I'm pinning this recipe and am going to try it out ASAP!
Found you over at The Better Baker who linked up to my linky party today. I'd love for you to link up as well!
Hope you're having a great day!
Oh my goodness, this is the cake for me! I love coconut. Great recipe! I'm off to find some cream of coconut.
Thank you for sharing – this was great.
I am thinking of adding some run flavoring to the cake and maybe a bit of coffee in place of the water in cake mix..as anyone done that?
I just discovered your blog, and Im sooo excited! Trying this one today, and look forward to many more! Thanks!
I just found your blog through pinterest. I make a version of this cake and its always a hit. I add coconut milk powder to a can of condensed sweetened milk because I can't find coconut cream. I also add crushed pineapple to my topping – usually real whipped cream. Its so tropical tasting and delicious.
I made this exactly like you said except I used a dark chocolate cake mix…….delicious just like a Mounds bar
This is Wonderful! Thanks for sharing! Hugs.
I love this cake! I make it all the time and have used white cake, yellow, and strawberriy cake as well. They were all delicious. This cake is amazing!
I make this with a devils food mix and poke holes to the bottom with a wooden spoon and mix the cream of coconut with eagle brand and pour it in the holes, refrigerate and then top with cool whip a yummy summer cake!
Hi! Just found your poke cake recipes! Thanks for sharing! Just wanted to let you know that my family has been making a version of the coconut cake for years. It's one of our favorites! For our version we combine a can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk with the Coco Lopez. I thought you might want to try it! Thanks again!
Hey Brandie – Tonya says hi and so do I. =D Love ya Girl!
coconut is one of my favorite flavors! Thanks for this one!
I love this cake! One of our family favorites, only we call it "Wikki-wikki" cake (quick-quick!). I sometimes add coconut to the cake batter too! And it is so good cold! Thanks ~~Robyne~~
I made this cake for my mom, it turned out very yummy!
I too love coconut. I just discovered your site today and am looking forward to using this recipe.
But I was thinking I might use a chocolate cake mix instead. My favorite candy bar is Mounds; dark chocolate & coconut. Also I find it most annoying when I have to mess around
separating egg whites from the yoke.
Thank you for sharing your delicious sounding recipes.
I want to leave work and go make this right now!I looove coconut and this looks amazing! all your recipes look AMAZING and i'm glad you have printable versions too!
I made this cake today for my family and it was amazing. The only thing I did differently was used a Duncan Hines Coconut Supreme Cake instead of a white cake. It is taking every once of my willpower not to go back into the kitchen and get another piece right now! My husband and family loved it–and we aren't even likers of coconut. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
I just made this cake amazing ! I wil put fresh strawberry's on top ! I tried a small bite Yum !
I have been making this cake for a long time! It is always a hit at our family get togethers!!
I just made this and it was wonderful! I was initially skeptic that it would be too sweet but i was wrong. it was perfect! Thank you!!! I love your recipes 🙂
Hi I just want to say I love your page, and I'm having trouble finding cream of coconut what else can I use?
Try a liquer store.
Look in your groc. store where the adult drink mixes are. . …. Go ask someone that works there they will have it.
I see another person used cream of coconut powder which comes in a packet. A lot of supermarkets stock it. You could add it to the condensed milk.
I've only ever made this with the cream of coconut so I'm really not sure what would be a good substitute. You could maybe make this as a pudding poke cake and use coconut cream pudding. Or maybe you could get some sweetened condensed milk and add some coconut extract to it. 🙂
I made this yesterday morning for a birthday bash for a former neighbor. There were 7 of us neigbhors that helped her celebrate and they all loved it right away. It is such a light cake, absolutely delicious! For those who are having trouble finding Coco Lopez, I found it in the baking section with canned milk. Harris Teeter sells it in 8.5 oz. cans to to make up the 15 oz. I had to open both cans but the second can I only used 6 1/2 oz. of it..Sometimes you will find it in with cocktail mixers..it is thick like sweetened condensed milk. I think out of a 9×13 glass dish, there may be 3 pieces left. I did share two pieces with a neighbor last evening. I'm going to try the oreo poke cake next.
Thank you for sharing. I have always loved anything coconut. I am making this cake today for me and my sister in law who is Filipina. I know we both will enjoy it so much. 🙂
Brought this to a teen bible study group tonight and it was a huge hit! People got seconds, and others tried to, unsuccessfully…disappointed that it was all gone! I too mixed the Cream of Coconut with sweetened condensed milk and thought it was wonderful (though I think it would've been amazing exactly as posted too). Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!
This cake was "out of this world delicious" Everybody asked for a second piece..
I will definately make this often. Would you believe my local Harris Teeter store had Coco Lopez in with canned milk? I looked in all the other stores in aisle where cocktail mixers would be.
BRANDI YOU NEED TO WRITE YOUR OWN COOKBOOK
SO happy y'all have had success with this one!! Thank you for taking the time to come back to let me know. I sure do appreciate it!
Anonymous – that is a dream of mine to write one. Maybe one day!! You are so sweet! ~Brandie
This looks amazing! I am planning to make it soon. How far in advance can you make it?
Thanks!
I gave this a try and it was awesome! Thanks so much for sharing it.
I love coconut, can't get enough of it. And it was a huge hit with all my friends as well!
Idon't have time to look trough all these wonderful and delish sounding recipes….do you have a link to a list of all of them? Thanks.
I try this cake ,and it great. My family love it.
I can't find the cream of coconut where I live so do you know how this would be with coconut pudding? This sounds so wonderful, maybe I can find a site online for the cream of coconut. Thanks for posting all the yummy recipes 🙂
You can use pina colada mix in
a bottle in the liquor store or U
May find coconut cream in a can
There too.
This is a family favorite of ours. Except I make it with dark chocolate cake mix. I like the contrast between the dark cake and white fluffy top. It's a picnic favorite.
Yummy! All your Poke cakes are phenom!!
This is in the oven as I write. Fixin' it for our Easter lunch. Thanks and Happy Easter! paula
Made te cake last weekend. awesome. I did toast the coconut, to make it look prettier. it was a huge hit and it will be a great addition to our father's day gathering! thanks!
I've been making this cake for over 25 years and its a big favorite with family and friends! Love your site, tasty and easy, my kind of cooking.
Can you make it as a layer cake? Need a birthday cake
This was the best coconut cake ever! Thanks so much, I shared it:-)
Could this be done in 2 8-inch round pans, then after cooled, stack it with the whipped topping & coconut in-between? Can't wait to taste this, either way! Thank you SOOO much for sharing the recipe!
Yes, yes you can. And you don't have to 'poke' the cake-if you split the layers in half, pour the coco lopez evenly across all four, then let it soak in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Ananymous – You'd have to be careful trying to stack it with the "Pokes" in it. It may try to fall apart on you. Oh, but it sounds yummy. Going to the store on my way home to pick up coconut and Lopez. 🙂
If you make instant vanilla pudding (according to the package directions), add 1/2 tsp coconut extract, then mix it in with the cool whip, the frosting is better! Toasting the coconut is also a nice touch.
Sounds yummy!
My cake is in the oven right now. Can't wait to try this cake. It sounds yummy and looks even better. Thanks for all these great recipes that use stuff that I normally have around the house. Nothing fancy, just tastes that way.
Thank you so much for that Lynn! I really do appreciate it. Hope you loved this cake!
I recently made a layer cake very similar to this and found it was delicious! I must add that this recipe was shared with me by a friends mother and to be honest I thought it sounded terrible when she told me what we were going to do….LOL…but I was there to help and this is what we did and it turned out to be awesome!
The difference was the following:
Make three 8 or 9" layers, poke holes in all 3.
You will need to make a "filling" using a 16 oz tub of sour cream, approx. 2 cups of powdered sugar and a large hand full of flaked coconut. We didn't measure each of these items exactly, we just judged as we went with it to make a good filling consistency with the amount of coconut we thought would be desirable.
Starting with the first layer pour the cream of coconut over it lightly and allow to "seep" in.
Spread a layer of the "filling" over the cake layer.
Follow with the next two layers in the same fashion.
Once your cake is assembled and the cream of coconut and filling is applied to each layer frost entire cake with whipped topping and garnish with flaked coconut.
I have made this with chocolate cake. Yummy!!
Have you ever made this as a round, layer cake? I think it would make for a prettier presentation at a party.
I didn't have coconut cream, but had coconut milk. When i use coconut milk for this recipe, i add in the sweetened condensed milk with it for a sweeter taste. comes out beautifully.
I have made this cake for years, it is one of my favorite cakes of all time, but I use the cream of coconut and also mix a can of sweetened condensed milk with it and pour over the cake then top with the whipped topping and then shredded coconut. It is always a winner when taken to any family event or get together.
Goya, which is a Spanish/Latino/Hispanic line of products IS carried in Walmart and they have the cream of coconut, under $2.00. This cake is awesome with lots of ohhhs and ahhhh,
I have made this cake many times!! I usually put some coconut into the cake batter before I bake it and then I stir the rest of the coconut into the whipped topping before frosting the cake. It's kind of lumpy looking but keeps the coconut from drying out. If you want, you can sprinkle a little reserved coconut on top so you don't see the lumpy frosting. Once I made a chocolate ganache and spread that over the topping and it tasted exactly like a Mounds bar!! Let the ganache cool some so it doesn't melt the topping though!! Extra yummy and delicious!! 🙂
I made this cake and my husband loved it. I toasted the coconut though.
I make this cake for Christmas every year. I put pineapple juice instead of water in the cake mix and left over fruit from the can on top of the cake before I frost it, and then pecans on top of the frosting. My family insists I make this cake every Christmas. I enjoy reading and trying your recipes. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing, anytime I make a coconut cake I always use coconut milk instead of water in the cake mix, comes out very rich and people wonder what my secret is, but this adds even more richness I will have to try using both and see how that works. Yummmy Thanks again.
I bought vanilla by accident instead of white….is there a big difference and did I mess up?? I just made this cake and waiting for it to cool down so I can add the frosting and coconut. Can't wait to taste this…looks delicious!!
I made this cake for my daughter's birthday, and everyone raved about it. The next day my daughter said again how yummy it was. After reading all reviews, I did add 3/4 of a can of sweetened condensed milk. I think I could have used the whole can as I did not find the cake "overly" sweet. This cake was so easy to make. I made it the day before, then refrigerated it.
I think between the coconut cream layer and the whipped cream layer it would be good with a layer of raspberry jam. yum
Made this for Thanksgiving and it got rave reviews!
OMG! I just made this for the first time. It was soooo good. The best cake I have ever made.
I had this for my work Christmas party and it was a hit!! It tasted just as good as it looked.
I've been making a very similar cake for years and I love it. The only differences: I use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut (not sure how different these are), and I mix sweetened condensed milk with the coconut milk before pouring in the cake.
I have friends who love and hope coconut cake around the holidays. This is so much easier looking forward to trying this one out on the guys. Thanks
This really is the Best Recipe Ever! My Grandmomma gave me this as her go to recipe Years ago, & I really thought I had sum kinda family secret recipe til I seen it here, LOL! But I luv ur site & I've Lots N common with u, I live Near P'cola! Born and raised, married a construction man, & traveled about 7 years with him, only to settle back dwn N my home town! LOL. Thanks again!
I am the only one in the house that loves coconut, So i made this cake, cut out enough for 2 -days and put the rest in the freezer in a freezer bowl and covered with wax paper..the cake lasts a good three months, maybe longer..and it actually taste really good partially frozen!!
My mom celebrated her 80th birthday on April 3rd and the coconut cream poke cake was what she wanted for her bd cake. It's her favorite and a breeze to make. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I made this tonight for my family. It was a HUGE hit!! I didn't change a thing!!
Thank you!!
I made the coconut cream poke cake today…SO GOOD!!
I have been following you on facebook and trying many of your recipes. When I tell my husband that I'm trying something new, he always asks if it's one of your recipes! You have two new fans. Keep up your great posts, and love your commentary with all the recipes.
This looks so good! I think I might try this using a lemon cake or incorporate something lemony…I'm a sucker for lemon/lime ith coconut!
This is one of my favorite poke cakes! Only difference is that I add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk to my cream of coconut to pour over. It makes it extra special gooey!
Hi Brandie, love the site, but there is something with it that doesn't fully download the page on my computer, its always too wide for my screen so have to scroll sideways, but that's not a big problem, the real problem is that the little download circle on my page continues to circle and doesn't or rarely ever stops, I am not sure what is still being downloaded since nothing seems to be missing from the page, but it must be one of the ads or something, this ties up the computer and makes it so much slower. Also your print button on the printable page doesn't work, it can be clicked, but it simply says its fixing the page for printing and never does print it.
Hi I made this today, cause we dont have frozen whipped topping I used stable cream..
Everyone loves its. Its not too sweet and is moist and creamy and delicious
Thank you!
Even better, if that is possible, if you will use frozen coconut instead.
In a pinch, I find coconut cream in my super market baking section! But I have found the best coconut cream at Tropical Traditions.com! I love anything with coconut! I have all ingredients on hand and my kitchen is calling me to make this tonight! Thanks for another great recipe!
Just read aii the recipes on the coconut cream poke cake will make this for our bingo.But just wanted all your reader to know that your reg. gro. store may order the coconut cream if you ask for it mine did I needed it for another baking cake
Going to try this.. but with a wacky cake recipe instead of a box. Add a little extra flour in place of the cocoa and then coconut flavoring and see what happens. 🙂
I make a cake almost like this…I call it 'Luscious Coconut Cake' I add a can of Eagles Brand Condensed Milk to the cream of coconut…..the people at out church seems to look forward to this cake.
I toast the coconut before putting on cake and use sweetned condensed milk on top of the cream of coconut
I make this cake a lot, so easy and delicious. I use a yellow cake mix though, but I make it the same way. Great to take to a potluck.
Love this recipe!! Easy to make and very very good!
I used to make this at a little diner that I ran for awhile. I did mix the Coco Lopez with a can of sweetened condensed milk and made it extra moist and toasted some coconut for the top. YUM! Melting your favorite candy bar into the sweentened milk and pouring on top produces a similarly wonderful cake!
This is making me extremely hungry and now I just MUST make it and try it :-0
This sounds so yummy and easy to make. Going to give it a go today. Problem is that I live in New Zealand and we don't have the frozen whipped topping. What is it please and what could I substitute it with?? Thanks.
Love the cake but definitely does not need the condensed cream. Way to rich for both of them
I made this cake yesterday for my husbands birthday and everyone loved it, it was very moist and delicious. I have made a variation before with the sweetened condensed milk and it was too sweet. Thank you for letting us know where to find the cream of coconut, I would have never found it! And thanks for the great recipe, definitely making again!
my dad loves anything coconut! I made this for his birthday. I made a round cake and made cupcakes to give as favors for the guests at the party. They loved them!
My I ask how you did the cupcakes? I was concerned about the cream of coconut not soaking in . And just running off the sides and gooing up the cupcake wrappers.
Have you ever made this with a seven-minute egg white frosting? I made something similar before I found out about "poke-cakes" lol, and it was pretty amazing. I find that I like the mellow fluffiness of the egg white frosting a lot more than whipped cream…
Can't wait to try this one!
I made this and my daughter asked for it for her birthday. Bringing to family picnic, can't wait to see what the coconut lovers have to say….or should I say EAT!!! Thanks for sharing
That is awesome, so glad you daughter loved it so much. You are going to be the talk of the picnic, hope they devour it!
I use pineapple juice instead of water in the cake. Gives it a pina colada taste.
My son requested coconut cake for his birthday and I made him this cake. It was so easy and so good. Thanks for the recipe.
Woo hoo! Love hearing that Laura! Thank you for taking the time to come back & let me know!
Why was the cream of coconut i bought and it was you recommended was watery but yours looks so white and creamy?
Rosemary, you have to stir it up. It separates in the can.
I make this cake often!
Amazing!!! My first try at a poke cake, and it was the best cake I ever made! And frosting it with Cool Whip was shear genius, lol… So light and airy, and the CoCo Lopez gave it the best coconut flavor! I love your recipes, they always turn out perfect and yummy. they are all “keepers”, and I can’t say that for other blogs. They are usually hit and miss… I love you Brandie! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes! And keep them coming, lol… I always look forward to seeing your e-mails. It’s the first thing I look for every day… <3
Love the sound of this cake. The only thing I might try is to add coconut or vanilla pudding after the cocoon cream.
Made this for a family get together and it was amazing. Will take this to the next church potluck.
Hope everyone loves it!
There is a restaurant in Rochester MN. called the Canadian Honker. They are famous for their “Bunny Cake” (there is info if you google it) This cake sounds like it could be the same (after multiple taste tests from The Canadian Honker.) The frosting however isn’t just cool whip or whipped cream. It is not quite as light as cool whip, a little sweeter, and seems to stand up better if setting out for a few hours. I can’t figure out what could be added to the cool whip to make the frosting. Any ideas? Thanks for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it.
Jan
If I had to guess without actually tasting it, I’m thinking maybe it’s made starting out with whipped whipping cream with some sugar and a drop of vanilla… then fold in some cool-whip? I know when I make my own whipped topping, that’s how I do it (without the cool-whip added in) , and it’s delicious. Sweet, but not too sweet, and whipped just right to where it stands up perfectly. I could be completely wrong, but that’s what came to mind. I know it’s been a few months since you posted this… Have you found out yet how it’s made?
Some people take dream whip, 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and one box of instant vanilla pudding and mix together to make a thicker frosting. I have done this before and it makes pretty thick frosting.
Nothing better than a poke cake. I always mix together a can of sweetened condensed milk with the cream of coconut then pour both of them over the top of this cake. I also use pineapple and cool whip topping. This is so good and one of my favorites!!
I will be making this soon in the future I will let you know what I think when I do oh by the way I made your coconut cream poke cake and me and my husband just loved it between the two of us it was all eaten thanks you so much for your gateway recipe keep them coming my way have a great day!
So if you added some crushed pineapple to the whipped cream and then added a thin layer of whipping cream to the top and then the coconut…would that be a Piña Colada Cake?
I made this today for a charity bake sale at work and it was a huge hit. The only thing I would caution people about is not to poke the cake with the handle of a wooden soup spoon. Use a fork. The holes using the soup spoon were much too big for that much coconut milk. I should have read the directions closer! Thanks for the great recipe.
Hi! I making this for my boss for my second job, can I make this cake the night before when it will be consumed the next day in the evening? Thank you so much
You sure can Natalie!