You have got to try this tropical poke cake that’s super moist and topped with orange, pineapple and sweetened coconut flakes. It’s a great Summer cake that’s pretty and really easy to make with cake mix and a few other ingredients. If you’re looking for a light cake for Spring this will hit the spot
If you’ve never made a Hawaiian poke cake I highly recommend it, they’re incredible! There are so many variations and you can add whatever ingredients you love to jazz up the traditional like we did with this Tropical poke cake that will make you want to go on vacation! With flavors like pineapple, orange, and of course coconut it will remind you of a Hawaiian cake if you’ve ever been there. (originally published 3/17, affiliate links present)
Pineapple Poke Cake
It’s a really pretty cake too! Once you know how to make a poke cake you can add just about anything to it! The flavor combinations are really endless so get ready to try them all!
The general rule for making any poke cake is to make a boxed cake mix as directed. Then once it is done but still a bit warm you pour a can of sweetened condensed milk over the top of it. You poke holes in the top, thus calling it a poke cake!
After that you pour on something else sweet and put it in the fridge. Once cool you add the rest of your goodies.
- When we made our coconut chocolate poke cake with caramel sauce but for this tropical poke cake I thought I’d try orange marmelade. It more of an orange flavor and that worked great!
Perfect to take to a barbecue, picnic, or to make during the holidays like Easter time.
Orange Poke Cake
This tastes a bit like one of our pudding cake recipes because it just oozes with moisture with every single bite. If you wanted to make it double ooey you can follow that recipe with a box of instant vanilla pudding and then poke as instructed below.
- Cake mix – we used white but you can find pineapple or orange flavors too
- Mandarin oranges – in the can
- Pineapple – tidbits in the can work great, with pineapple juice poured out
- Sweetened condensed milk – we used this, if you want a dairy free poke cake you can use this condensed coconut milk
- Sweetened shredded toasted coconut
- Whipped topping is best as whipped cream will just sink inside
- Orange marmelade jam
- I like using a pastry tip to make the holes but you could use a large straw as well.
You can pile on the fruit on top, or arrange it to make a cute sun or something too. If you just really wanted a straight coconut poke cake then you can skip the fruit all together.
Hawaiian Poke Cake
I used canned mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits because Summer hasn’t arrived yet. BUT once it does I might use fresh pineapple and mango slices. Papaya would be good too! Leave completely off with just coconut like our White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake. It is a really easy cake to make, pretty, and inexpensive too. You just;
- Make white or yellow cake mix as directed on box, allow to cool for a bit.
- When cake is still slightly warm poke holes in the top of the cake, about 8 lengthwise and 5 widthwise.
- Pour can of sweetened condensed milk (or coconut cream) over top of cake making sure it is poured over holes in cake.
- Warm your marmelade in a dish in the microwave so you can pour it easily over the top of the cake like you did with the condensed milk.
- If you want a stronger orange flavor use 1 cup, we used 3/4 c.
- Put cake in fridge for at least 1 hour to cool completely.
- Take out and spread Cool Whip topping on top of cake with the back of a wooden spoon.
Sprinkle tidbits or crushed pineapple and coconut, mandarin oranges are great on top too for a real tropical flavor. Can add another layer of coconut if you desire. Serve!
If you love this easy poke cake you should try our
- Our banana bread pudding is out of this world.
- Using these same fruits you can make ambrosia salad
- For really really moist bites try this banana pudding poke cake or Instant Pot bread pudding
- 2 ingredient strawberry cake needs literally the mix and soda pop!
If you love chocolate though this smores poke cake is the bomb! Fun to make with kids too it is always a potluck favorite.
Tropical Poke Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13 pan
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix, and items to make this as directed on box
- 1 can condensed milk
- 3/4 – 1 c orange marmelade, warmed
- 1 tub cool whip
- 1 c coconut
- 1 can pineapple tidbits
- 1 can mandarin oranges
Instructions
- Make white cake mix as directed on box, allow to cool for a bit.
- When cake is still slightly warm poke holes in the top of the cake, about 8 lengthwise and 5 widthwise.
- Pour can of sweetened condensed milk over top of cake making sure it is poured over holes in cake.
- Warm your marmelade in a dish in the microwave so you can pour it easily over the top of the cake like you did with the condensed milk.
- If you want a stronger orange flavor use 1 cup, we used 3/4 c. Put cake in fridge for at least 1 hour to cool completely.
- Take out and spread whipped topping on top of cake.
- Sprinkle coconut, add pieces of pineapple and mandarin oranges on top. Can add another layer of coconut if you desire. Serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
