If you have some coconut lovers in your life, then you will not want to miss out on this truly incredible cream of coconut poke cake! What can be better than a coconut cake with cream of coconut and shaved coconut?
This cream of coconut poke cake is modeled after a few other poke cakes published on our site – butter pecan praline poke cake (the most popular recipe on this website) and pumpkin spice poke cake.
Starting Coconut Poke Cake with a Box Mix
It doesn’t get much easier than making this coconut poke cake with a box mix.
I simply follow the box instructions to make the white cake base using a white cake mix. Note that some brands may be 13 ounce boxes while others may be up to 15 ounces. It doesn’t matter. Just buy your favorite brand!
TIP: You can substitute yellow cake mix for the white cake mix in this recipe.
Typically, no matter what brand you use, you will need eggs, oil, and water. Normally, I’m a fan of doctoring up cake mixes with a few ingredient enhancements or substitutions. But since this cake is so rich on its own thanks to the cream topping, there is really no need to enhance the basic box mix any further. The Oreo cake will be plenty rich on its own!
Adding Sweetened Condensed Milk Topping to Coconut Poke Cake
This cake has a triple topping.
First, there is the condensed milk topping which is simply condensed milk and cream of coconut blended together. This cream will be poured over the holes of the cake.
After the white cake bakes, I allow the cake to cool in its pan for about 10 minutes. (The cream topping will stick a little better if the cake is not piping hot when you pour the glaze.) Then, with a wooden spoon or other kitchen tool with a slender handle, I poke holes – spaced about two inches apart – through the cake, taking care not to poke all the way through the bottom of the cake.
First, I pour several streaks of glaze (going horizontally) directly over the holes. Next, I make a second pour going over the flat spaces between the holes.
But, to be honest, there is no true method to the madness. You can pretty much just find your own pattern with the poking and the pouring and stick to that. The end goal is that the condensed milk glaze works it way down into the cake for a deliciously gooey cake!
Adding Cool Whip Topping
Make sure you have your Cool Whip (or other brand of whipped topping) out of the freezer and thawed before starting this recipe. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to move mine out of the freezer which slows down the recipe process.
Adding Flaked Coconut Topping to Cream of Coconut Poke Cake
The third topping – my favorite one – is a delectable layer of flaked coconut.
Storing
The cream of coconut poke cake needs to be stored in the refrigerator thanks to the Cool Whip topping. But, not to fear. This cake just tastes just as good a day or two later in the fridge!
I hope you will give this coconut poke cake recipe a spin! If you are feeling delighted with this cake mix recipe and the two others I just linked above, feel free to check out some of my other cake mix recipes from the blog – like my upside down blueberry cake, and amazing doctored chocolate cake!
Best Cream of Coconut Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 oz White cake mix with the oil, eggs, and water as called for on box directions; number of ounces may vary slightly by brand
- 14 oz Condensed milk
- 15 oz Cream of coconut
- 8 oz Whipped topping thawed
- 2 cups Coconut can use more if necessary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature on the cake mix box to make the cake.
- Prepare the cake according to package directions – using eggs, vegetable oil, and water as directed on the back of your cake mix box. Pour the cake batter into a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been greased with non-stick cooking spray.
- Remove from the oven when done and use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about 1-inch apart.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and the cream of coconut. Pour the milk mixture over the warm cake. Set the cake aside to cool completely to room temperature.
- Once the cake is cooled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Sprinkle the crushed coconut flakes over top of the cake.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
zidane
Poke cake is a soft, moist cake filled with flavorful syrup or pudding that seeps into every bite, making it extra rich, sweet, and deliciously indulgent