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Pineapple Poke Cake

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This pineapple poke cake is so creamy and delicious. It has plenty of pineapple and soaks in sweetened condensed milk, almost like a tres leches cake. The best part is that it is super simple to make with the help of a cake mix. You just have to bake one up to see for yourself.

Piece of pineapple poke cake soaked with condensed milk and topped with a Cool Whip and pineapple frosting on plate next to pan with remaining cake inside.

If you are in the mood for a fun fruity dessert, but you don’t have all day to make it, you are in the right place. This pineapple poke cake has crushed pineapple both in the cake itself and the frosting, plus a can of condensed milk soaks into the cake, making it out of this world tasty.

I have been on a bit of a pineapple kick lately. I have always loved the fruit, but it has gone to a new level lately.

It seems I can’t leave the grocery store without two fresh pineapples to cut and eat throughout the week. Then, there are always a few cans in the pantry as well.

We wouldn’t want to run out! There is just something about that bright tropical flavor that draws me in.

Side view of pineapple poke cake showing all of the condensed milk soaked into the cake making it really moist and topped with fluffy white pineapple frosting.

Maybe I am trying to escape the midwestern winter by allowing my tastebuds to go on a tropical vacation. Whatever the reason, they are good alone and even better in baked goods!

Making the Cake

It really doesn’t get simpler than this recipe. You start with a cake mix, so there is almost no measuring to do.

Pick up your favorite brand of yellow cake mix and make the batter like the box describes. But before you put it in the pan, you stir in a big ole can of crushed pineapple.

You don’t even drain it. Just open it up and pour it in. Not only are you getting all of that yummy fruit, but the juices are adding so much moisture to the mix.

You know this isn’t going to be a dry cake!

Once the cake is baked, you take the back of a spoon and poke some holes throughout the cake. Then you pour a can of condensed milk over that baby and let it soak into all of those holes while the cake is still warm.

I know, right?!

Now let it cool completely and soak up that creamy goodness. It’s hard not to dig in as is, but there is still one last step, and you’ll want to do it.

Once the cake is cooled. Drain a small can of crushed pineapple and stir it into a tub of Cool Whip.

Spread that mixture over the top and chill the cake until you are ready to serve. It is the perfect mix of everything creamy and delicious.

I am telling you, this is one you have to make! It would be great for Easter or any of your summer parties.

My family went nuts over it. So I think I am going to have to pick up the ingredients to make another one soon.

More Cake Recipes to Try

If you would like a more elegant pineapple cake, try making a haleakala cake. It has layers of white cake and pineapple filling in a homemade fluffy white frosting.

For another poke cake, try my Oreo poke cake. I made it again recently, and it’s still a hit. Maybe this year is going to be the year of the poke cake?

For more inspirations, check out my collection of cake recipes. There is sure to be something you will love.

Piece of pineapple poke cake with condensed milk and fluffy white pineapple frosting on small plate with fork, ready to eat.

Pineapple Poke Cake

Servings: 12 Servings
Author: Carlee
This pineapple poke cake is so creamy and delicious. It has plenty of pineapple and soaks in sweetened condensed milk, almost like a tres leches cake. The best part is, it is super simple to make with the help of a cake mix. You just have to bake one up to see for yourself.
5 from 13 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 box yellow cake mix + the ingredients on the box
  • 20 oz crushed pineapple
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 8 oz. Cool Whip or similar
  • 8 oz crushed pineapple
Makes: 9 x 13inch rectangle2inch height

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  • Make the cake batter using the eggs, oil, and water called for on the box.
    1 box yellow cake mix
  • Stir the undrained can of crushed pineapple into the cake batter.
    20 oz crushed pineapple
  • Bake according to the directions on the box. It will likely need to be baked towards the longer end of the range specified in the instructions.
  • Cool cake for 5-10 minutes, then poke random holes around the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon or something similar.
  • Drizzle the condensed milk over the cake and allow to soak in. Cool completely.
    14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • Drain the small can of pineapple really well. Stir into the Cool Whip. Spread over the cake and chill until ready to serve.
    8 oz. Cool Whip, 8 oz crushed pineapple

Notes

The cake is done when the top springs back when lightly touched with a finger and the edges start pulling away from the pan.
Use a sawing up and down motion when cutting the cake, it will create less drag on the frosting and make cleaner looking pieces.
Store the cake in the refrigerator. It can sit out for an hour or two while serving, but should go back in the refrigerator when you are done.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pieceCalories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 370mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 1gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 154IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




Petra E Allen

Thursday 29th of February 2024

So you make the cake mix with all the ingredients listed on the box plus stir in the undrained pineapple? Or just the cake mix and the pineapple?

Carlee

Friday 1st of March 2024

You make the cake batter like the box suggests with the eggs, oil, and water and then stir in the undrained pineapple. It makes it so moist and delicious! Thanks for asking, I will try to make that more clear in the recipe card.

Andrea Nine

Monday 26th of February 2024

Give me all the poke cakes and pineapple. This looks delicious

Carlee

Monday 26th of February 2024

It really is and the pineapple is so good in it. I think you'd love it!