Best Coconut Poke Cake

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This Coconut Poke Cake is, hands down, the very best coconut cake you will even have. It is so tender, it has a great crumb and loads of coconut flavor.

Coconut Poke Cake with a full cake in the background.

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When you want to serve the Best Coconut Poke Cake to your family this is the recipe that you are going to have to use. So tender, it has a great crumb and loads of coconut flavor.

What is a poke cake? A poke can is when you create little holes within the cake to pour some liquid for the cake to absorb.

Find more easy desserts to make for your family.


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What We Love About This Delicious Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

 If you hate dry cake, that doesn’t have a lot of flavor, then you will love this cake. You will love how very moist and luscious it is and is a favorite of all coconut lovers everywhere.

  • 30 Minute Cake: An amazing fluffy cake that takes little time but has incredible flavor.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge for this easy cake.
  • Family Friendly: Coconut Lovers will love this coconut poke cake recipe.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free, etc…
  • Makes Great Leftovers: This delicious cake stays moist for a great time.
A plate of cake with a fork next to it.

Ingredient Notes for Easy Coconut Poke Cake

  • Boxed Cake Mix: 1 Boxed white cake mix (18 oz), plus ingredients to make cake for the box mix following box directions.
  • Coconut Extract
  • 5.4 oz Cream of coconut
  • Frozen whipped topping, thawed such as Cool Whip
  • Sweetened coconut flakes

Equipment Needed for Delicious Coconut Poke Cake

How to Make Coconut Cake Easy Recipe

These are the basic steps for making cake with coconut milk. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Mixing the box cake, then baking it in the oven.

STEP 1: MAKE CAKE BATTER

First, prepare cake according to the box directions. Second, bake in a 13×9 baking dish.

STEP 2: POKE

Next, remove cake from the oven, and while still hot, poke small holes all over the top using a fork or the end of a wooden spoon and then open the can of coconut milk and stir it so it is completely combined, next pour 7 oz of the coconut milk over top of the warm cake.

STEP 3: COOL

Then, let cake cool completely. Spread whipped topping over the entire top of the cake. Finally, top with flaked coconut and then refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Topping the cake with the pudding, the frosting and the coconut.

Prep and Storage Tips for Moist Coconut Poke Cake

HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY POKE CAKE RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

If you want to make this cake ahead of time, that is no problem. It will sit in the refrigerator for several days.

Truly, this cake can last in the freezer, wrapped tightly for a few months.

HOW TO STORE THIS FAVORITE CAKE RECIPE

Store well wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep a moist cake.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS BEST CAKE RECIPE

Also, you can also freeze it if you need to, I recommend that you put the cake in unfrosted, then when it is time to serve, add the whip topping and coconut.

Frequently Asked Questions

IMPORTANT NOTE

This tender cake calls for CANNED coconut milk, it is not the same as the one in the carton with the other milk products. Cream of coconut works well too.

CAN I MAKE THE CAKE LIKE A BAKERY?

Of course, try adding an extra egg and/or try replacing the oil with twice the butter. Also, try milk in place of water. This will allow for best results and the best flavor.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

CAN I DECORATE THIS COCONUT POKE CAKE?

Maraschino Cherries or crushed pineapple are great for this coconut lover’s dream cake.

A plate of cake with a fork next to it.

Expert Tips for Making This Easy Coconut Cake Recipe

  • Toast : To give a nutty flavor try toasted coconut.
  • Sweeten: A little sweetened condensed milk with your coconut milk
  • Drizzle: Decorate with a little melted dark chocolate and caramel sauce on top of the cale and make a little samoa cake.
  • Coconut Cake: For the true coconut lover use a coconut cake mix instead of a white cake mix.
  • Cream Cheese Icing: Replace the whipped cream with a cream cheese icing.

What to Serve with Coconut Poke Cake

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Coconut Poke Cake with a full cake in the background.
5 from 12 votes

Best Coconut Poke Cake

Yield: 12 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 26 minutes
Total: 36 minutes
This is the Best Coconut Poke Cake Recipe that I have ever made. It is super quick and very easy but taste so very moist and delicious.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 Boxed white cake mix (18 oz), plus ingredients to make cake
  • 2 teaspoons Coconut extract, divided
  • 5.4 oz Cream of coconut
  • 8 oz Frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 cup Sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  • Prepare cake according to the package directions and stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut extract.
  • Bake in a 13×9 baking dish according to package directions.
  • Remove cake from the oven, and while still hot, poke holes all over the top using a fork.
  • Pour the Cream of Coconut over top of the hot cake.
  • Cool cake completely.
  • While cake is cooling, stir thawed whipped topping with remaining teaspoon of coconut extract.
  • Spread whipped topping mixture over the cooled cake.
  • Top with flaked coconut.
  • Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Expert Tips

  • Toast : To give a nutty flavor try toasted coconut.
  • Sweeten: A little sweetened condensed milk with your coconut milk
  • Drizzle: Decorate with a little melted dark chocolate and caramel sauce on top of the cale and make a little samoa cake.
  • Coconut Cake: For the true coconut lover use a coconut cake mix instead of a white cake mix.
  • Cream Cheese Icing: Replace the whipped cream with a cream cheese icing.
 

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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17 thoughts on “Best Coconut Poke Cake”

  1. I am making this tonight as my own birthday cake (true coconut fan) and I’m wondering if you made some healthy swaps when making the cake mix or how the nutrition estimate got to be 140? I want to be able to eat as much of the cake as possible so if I can cut calories somewhere I will! Let me know! Thanks so much!!! (=

    Reply
  2. What kind of frozen whipped topping? Do you mean whip cream, can ready made kind? Can you please explain what you mean for frozen whipped topping. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • I’m referring to Cool Whip. It’s different than traditional whipped cream. You find it in the freezer section of the grocery store. You can substitute whipped cream in this recipe, though.

      Reply
  3. Mmm…coconut is my very favorite, and coconut cake? Creamy, dreamy, delicious! Would love for you to share at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    Reply
  4. Christina, this looks amazing! I’m a big fan of poke cakes in general, and coconut is one of my favorite treats. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mmmmm, this cake sounds fantastic and it is such an easy recipe. Thanks so much for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

    Reply

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