Pineapple Poke Cake – The easiest cake recipe ever made with yellow boxed cake mix that is prepared and then holes are poked into it that are filled with vanilla pudding and topped with cool whip and crushed pineapples. This cake is easy to make and each bite tastes like summer!
Pineapple Poke Cake
Poke cakes are the best! As one of those desserts that I remember my mom bringing to parties and potlucks as a kid, they have a special place in my heart as a yummy dessert that was great for sharing. I recently made my classic lemon poke cake recipe for a party and was inspired to experiment and make a few other poke cake varieties. A favorite of mine has been this pineapple poke cake because it has so much flavor and it is just about the easiest cake to make.
To start it off, you need a box of yellow cake mix. It may sound like cheating to have boxed cake mix in a recipe but trust me, it is the best base for this cake. Once it’s baked, you poke hole in it and cover it with instant vanilla pudding that is made with milk and pineapple juice so that you get some pineapple flavor right in the cake. To finish it off, the whole cake gets coated in cool whip and crushed pineapples. It’s creamy, bright, and acidic in ever bite.
Common Questions About Making Pineapple Poke Cake
What is a pineapple poke cake?
Pineapple poke cake is a simple dessert made by preparing a box of yellow cake mix according to the instructions and baking it. The cake then has holes poked in it with a skewer and vanilla pudding with a bit of pineapple juice mixed in is then spread over the top so that it seeps into the cake through the holes. The cake is then topped with cool whip and crushed pineapple.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes about 12 slices of cake.
Can I use whipped cream instead of cool whip?
I only suggest using homemade whipped cream if you are going to serve it immediately as whipped cream can start to weep. If you are making it ahead of time, definitely use cool whip.
How long does this cake last?
I suggest covering it with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerating it for up to 3 days.
How should I decorate the cake?
I chose to keep it simple and just top the cake with crushed pineapple but alternatively, you could use pineapple slices or even maraschino cherries.
Do I have to use yellow cake mix?
White cake mix will also work in this recipe!
Why don’t you include the eggs and oil in the recipe?
I don’t include an exact amounts of the ingredients that go into the cake mix because it depends on the box itself. There is some variance between brands so it’s best just to reference the box you have.
What other varieties of poke cake can I make?
Some of my other favorite poke cake recipes include –
Looking for more easy dessert recipes? Check these out!
- Lemon Blueberry Cake (made with boxed cake mix!)
- Oreo Fluff
- Texas Sheet Cake
- No Bake Lemon Pie
Pineapple Poke Cake
Pineapple Poke Cake – The easiest cake recipe ever made with yellow boxed cake mix that is prepared and then holes are poked into it that are filled with vanilla pudding and topped with cool whip and crushed pineapples. This cake is easy to make and each bite tastes like summer!
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix *(plus the ingredients on the back of the box - oil, eggs, etc)
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup milk
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple (drained and juices reserved)
- 8 ounces whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9"x13" baking dish. Set aside.
- Prepare cake batter according to the directions on the packaging.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and bake according to the directions on the box.
- Once the cake has finished baking, remove from oven and poke the surface with a skewer or chopstick.
- Whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk and 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice.
- Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the warm cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely, then spread the whipped topping over the cake, followed by the crushed pineapple.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
* I don't include an exact amounts of the ingredients that go into the cake mix because it depends on the box itself. There is some variance between brands so it's best just to reference the box you have.
Never miss a Mildly Meandering recipe
Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest
Check out the web story for this recipe by clicking HERE.