Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

When you need a show-stopping dessert that’s both tropical and irresistibly moist, this Coconut Poke Cake Recipe is your go-to. Tender vanilla cake base gets “poked” all over and soaked with a rich coconut milk mixture, infusing every bite with creamy, island-inspired flavor. Topped with fluffy whipped cream and sprinkled with sweet shredded coconut, it’s the perfect balance of light and indulgent.

The best part about this Coconut Poke Cake Recipe is the ease! With a handful of pantry staples, including either a boxed or homemade cake mix, coconut milk, cream cheese (optional for added tang), and coconut extract, you can elevate a plain cake into an indulgent one. The alchemy occurs when you stab the cooled cake all over and pour the coconut concoction over the top, allowing it to draw that moisture deep into the crumb, ensuring flavor in every bite.

Great for potlucks, family gatherings, or summer gatherings, this poke cake is just as easy to make as it is to eat. You can prepare it the day before and then let the flavors meld as you unwind. And with its tropical vibe and visually stunning appearance, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a recipe that readers will flock to.

Origins of Coconut Poke Cake

This Coconut Poke Cake is the result of American ingenuity in baking, combined with tropical flavors! The idea of a “poke cake” gained popularity in the United States in the 1970s, when it was first introduced as an innovative use of boxed cake mix. The concept was simple but brilliant: poke a baked cake full of holes and then pour a tasty liquid over the top, so that the moisture and flavor filled the layers.
Bakers later began making poke cakes with traditional flavors representative of their region or seasonal ingredients. The coconut version hails from tropical cuisines, where the use of coconut milk and shredded coconut is ubiquitous. Mix the lightness of sponge cake with rich coconut milk and fluffy whipped topping, and you’re on your way to a winner for a warm-weather gathering, holiday, or potluck that brings both a measure of ease and indulgence to every bite.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Coconut Poke Cake

• 🧊 Store covered in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, great for make-ahead desserts!
• ✅ Use full-fat coconut milk for the richest flavor and moistest texture.
• 🕳️ Poke deep holes using the handle of a wooden spoon to ensure the milk soaks evenly.
• ❄️ Chill overnight for a more flavorful and cohesive texture, this cake gets better with time.
• 🥥 Toast your shredded coconut for extra flavor and a light crunch on top.
• 🎂 Start with a boxed white or vanilla cake mix for convenience, or make your own base from scratch.
• 💡 Add coconut extract to the cake batter or whipped topping for a stronger coconut punch.

Health Benefits of Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

While Coconut Poke Cake is a dessert and best enjoyed in moderation, it does bring along a few ingredients with notable benefits, especially from the coconut components. Coconut milk contains healthy fats (like medium-chain triglycerides), and unsweetened shredded coconut offers small amounts of fiber and minerals. Below is a snapshot of some of the ingredients’ contributions:

While not a low-calorie treat, this cake can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle, especially if made with quality, minimally processed ingredients.

👇 Get ready to bake the most dreamy, tropical dessert ever!
This Coconut Poke Cake is soft, moist, and soaked with coconut love.
The step-by-step recipe below makes it super easy to whip up.
Grab your whisk, and let’s get coconutty! 🥥✨

Coconut Poke Cake Recipe From OoohDelish!

Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

This Coconut Poke Cake is ultra-moist, creamy, and packed with tropical flavor. A soft vanilla cake base is soaked with sweet coconut milk and topped with whipped cream and shredded coconut, perfect for potlucks, birthdays, and summer desserts!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine American, Tropical

Servings 4

Calories 510 kcal

Equipment

• 1 9×13-inch baking pan
• 1 Electric mixer or whisk
• 1 Mixing bowl
• 1 Wooden Spoon (for poking holes)
• 1 Rubber spatula

Ingredients

  

• Cake Base
• 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• Coconut Soak
• 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can 13.5 oz coconut milk (full fat recommended)
• 1/2 tsp coconut extract optional
• Topping
• 2 cups whipped topping or whipped cream
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut toasted if desired

Instructions

 

• Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare cake mix according to box instructions (or your homemade version). Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool and Poke: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the surface of the cake.
• Make the Coconut Soak: In a bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and coconut extract (if using). Pour the mixture slowly over the cake, letting it seep into the holes.
• Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better for full flavor absorption).
• Top and Serve: Spread whipped topping over the chilled cake and sprinkle generously with shredded coconut. Slice and serve!

Notes

• For a homemade twist, bake the cake from scratch using your favorite vanilla cake recipe.
• Toast the coconut flakes in a dry pan over medium heat for extra texture and nutty flavor.
• This cake tastes even better the next day once fully chilled and soaked!

Keyword Coconut Poke Cake, Easy Coconut Dessert, Poke Cake Recipe, Tropical Cake

Conclusion

Whether you’re entertaining a crowd, on the hunt for an easy-to-make dessert in advance, or feel like enjoying a rich and exotic taste, this Coconut Poke Cake hits the spot every time. The moist crumb, coconut-rich soak, and fluffy topping make for a bite that stays with you: sweet, satisfying, and perfectly balanced.
What’s special about this cake is how easy it is. With little to no prep and even less chill time, you can transform everyday ingredients into a dessert that looks impressive and tastes like a vacation in a single bite. Plus, it’s versatile; feel free to add toasted coconut, fresh fruit, or even a splash of rum for an adult twist.
So give this island-inspired treat a try, and don’t forget to make it your own. Whether a chilled treat on a hot afternoon or a sweet ending to dinner with friends, Coconut Poke Cake is a recipe you’ll return to time and again. Bon appétit and happy baking! 🥥🎂

Share Your Twist on Coconut Poke Cake!

Did you go full tropical with pineapple chunks or mango puree? Maybe you added toasted almonds, swapped in coconut cream, or even made a vegan version?

At Oooh Delish, we love seeing your unique creations, whether you lightened it up or made it extra decadent!

📸 Snap a photo of your dreamy coconut creation and tag us on social with #OoohDelishTwist , you might just be featured!
💌 Got a treasured family recipe or a flavor twist that wowed your guests? Send it to contact@ooohdelish.com and we’ll consider publishing it with credit to you!

Let your creativity flow, just like that sweet coconut drizzle! 🥥✨

FAQs: Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

References

5 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Coconut