Pineapple and coconut add a fun summer twist to this easy Pina Colada Bundt Cake. It’s a great dessert for summer picnics or barbecues. Watch everyone smile as they grab a slice.
If you love pina coladas, make sure you try out these Pina Colada Sugar Cookie Bars. They are another crowd pleasing dessert.
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Recently our youngest son received a note in the mail. This wasn’t just any note though. It was from a little girl from church telling him how much she liked him. He was so embarrassed by it that he tore it up and flushed it down the drain.
I guess that’s one way to keep his older brother from reading it and teasing him mercilessly.
My husband was able to get him to spill the beans about the flushed letter though. We talked to him about making sure he is being kind and not hurting her feelings.
His plan was to avoid her or just to tell her he already liked someone at school. I am so not ready for this with my baby! Someone pass me a big plate of cake to drown my “getting old sorrows” in!
Let’s talk about something other than my kids growing up and getting love letters in the mail.
How about that cake? Cake always makes me happy…especially cake baked in a bundt pan. I don’t know what it is about that shape, but it always makes me smile. Over the years I have made bundt cakes with salted caramel, sprinkles, apples, and bananas. I don’t see an end to these fun cakes!
But lately I have been kind of loving the coconut and pineapple combo of a pina colada. Did you see the Pina Colada Cake Trifle from last week?
I couldn’t stop thinking about how good it was, so when I had to make a dessert for a dinner at church this past weekend, I knew just what flavor to make it.
Now I know there are some of you that love baking from scratch. Now don’t get me wrong, I love baking this way too, but I also love doctoring up a box cake mix.
There is nothing wrong with jazzing up a cake mix to give you the look of a bakery style cake, right? I mean look how gorgeous this Strawberry Mousse Cake looks. Yup, it started from a box mix too.
My feelings on the matter is that someone took the time to calculate all those ingredient measurements into a box, so I’m going to go ahead and use them. It saves me a little bit of time in the kitchen, which translates into baking a cake faster for my mouth! You do what you feel is best for you though!
For now I’m going to continue to go the semi-homemade route. Giving pre-made ingredients that homemade with flair pizzaz is how I like to roll!
How to make a Pina Colada Bundt Cake:
Make sure you spray your bundt pan thoroughly with a nonstick baking spray. I always use Baker’s Joy when I bake a bundt cake. The flour and oil combo helps to release the cake smoothly every time.
Add a box of pudding and sour cream to the cake batter to give it a firm and pound like texture.
Stir in a can of crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and rum extract to give this easy cake a sweet tropical flair.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for the specified time. Let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then place a plate on top of the cake and flip it out. You need to get the cake out of the pan while it is still warm because as it cools it could stick to the sides.
Decorating your Pina Colada Bundt Cake:
Make some toasted coconut first. Place some shredded coconut on a sheet pan and bake it at 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes. Make sure you stir the coconut around every minute or so because the edges will brown first. Let it cool as you make the frosting.
Beat together some softened cream cheese, butter, cream of coconut, and rum extract until creamy. Then add your sugar beat it until soft and fluffy. Spoon out 1/2 cup of frosting for the top of the cake.
A small flat spatula works great for spreading the frosting on the sides of the cake. After you get it all spread out, go around the bundt cake with gentle swirling motions to create a pretty pattern on the sides.
Use a piping bag and icing tip to add swirls to the top of the cake with the reserved cream cheese frosting. All that is left is to plop maraschino cherries with stems on top of each swirl and add the toasted coconut. Make sure you pat the cherries dry before you add them because if you don’t they will drip red cherry juice all over your pretty cake. That’s no bueno.
Now step back and admire your gorgeous bakery creation for a minute. Then cut yourself a big slice of the Pina Colada Bundt Cake and be transported to the tropics with every bite.
At least in your vacation fantasyland you can forget about your kids getting older and getting love letters.
More delicious pina colada recipes you may enjoy:
- A pitcher of Pina Colada Rum Punch sounds like a great way to relax on summer weekends.
- This creamy Pina Colada Fudge has my name written all over. Pineapple and coconut goodness in every bite.
- Keep a batch of these No Bake Pina Colada Cheesecake Parfaits in the fridge for when the tropical urge hits you.
- Cool down this summer with this Frozen Pina Colada in a Bucket.
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Tools used to make this Pina Colada Bundt Cake:
Pina Colada Bundt Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 vanilla cake mix
- 1 - 3.4 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 - 8 ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 1/2 cup shredded coconut, divided
For the Frosting
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 Tablespoons cream of coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- maraschino cherries with stems, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12 cup bundt pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Place 1/2 cup shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Bake for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Remove and cool.
- Beat the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, pineapple, extract, sour cream, and oil on low for 1 minute. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining coconut.
- Spoon into the prepared pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Remove and let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then flip out onto a plate to cool completely.
- Beat the butter until creamy. Add the cream cheese, cream of coconut, extract, and salt and beat again.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar until completely mixed in. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting.
- Spread the rest of the frosting on the cake. Pipe swirls on top of the cake with the reserved frosting using a piping bag and icing tip 21.. Top each swirl with a cherry that has been patted dry.
- Sprinkle the toasted coconut all around the swirls and down the sides. Keep the cake refrigerated until it is time to serve.
Recommended Products
-
Nordic Ware 12-Cup Bundt Pan - Wilton 12-Inch Disposable Cake Decorating and Pastry Bags, 100-Count
- Wilton Cake Decorating Tip Pkg Open Star #21
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
14Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 594 Total Fat: 27g Saturated Fat: 15g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 99mg Sodium: 620mg Carbohydrates: 85g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 67g Protein: 5g
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Beth says
June 8, 2015 at 8:06 AMOh my goodness! I don’t think I would know how to handle that situation as a parent! Good thing schools out for summer.. right?! I adore how this bundt is dressed up, looks perfect!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:23 AMBelieve me, I’m still in disbelief. Mainly because he is my baby! Definitely time for more cake to try to forget about it!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
June 8, 2015 at 8:10 AMWow this bread looks fantastic, Jocelyn! I’m loving that you crammed summer into this cake. It looks gorgeous and so delish! Pinned!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:23 AMSummer in a cake…I love it! Thank you so much for the pin love 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
June 8, 2015 at 8:51 AMLovin’ these flavors Jocelyn! I’ll always be a coconut girl. 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:24 AMCoconut is and always will be a favorite of mine too!!!
Amanda says
June 8, 2015 at 9:14 AMYoung love, gotta love it! 🙂
The cake looks great, what a perfect summer time cake 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:24 AMThanks, girlie!!!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
June 8, 2015 at 9:16 AMOMGoodness! What a sweet story about your little boy! My 7 year old little girl just informed me that she was “in love” with a boy in her class! Puppy Love. It starts so soon. I’m so glad that my daughter turns very quiet and shy when she is around him. LOL Anyhoo, your cake looks and sounds delicious! I’m always on the hunt for a new recipe to try out on our Bible Study class that we teach. If you have time, feel free to share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party that is live. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com Have a lovely day! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:25 AMIt was really sweet that she mailed him a letter. No one does that anymore! I’m glad you like the cake…it is definitely great for a crowd!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
June 8, 2015 at 9:46 AMI love this cake. Having drank my fair share of pina coladas the past two weeks on vacation, I’m drooling over that thick frosting 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:26 AMI’m totally jealous of your 2 week pina colada binge! In a good way of course 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
June 8, 2015 at 10:10 AMYour pina colada desserts are off the charts! love this bundt cake and the great decorating 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:26 AMThank you so much!!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
June 8, 2015 at 10:12 AMThat is so darn sweet!! So far we still think boys are gross…but I’m waiting for that magical moment they all of a sudden aren’t, lol. This cake is gorgeous, and yay for cake mix. It’s the best!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:27 AMMy fingers are crossed that my daughter continues to think that boys are gross too. And yes, cake mix is pretty awesome!!!
Mir says
June 8, 2015 at 10:37 AMI’m all about quick fixes with mixes! It’s the end result that counts!
And that is too adorable about your son. I wish you’d been able to steal it and hold onto it for posterity!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:28 AMGirl, I am so glad you and I are on the same page with cake mix. It always baffles me that some people are so against them. I mean, look at this cake. It was gorgeous and sure didn’t taste like a mix when I got done with it!
Joyce says
March 30, 2018 at 8:18 AMI will try it. It looks Sooo Delicious
[email protected] says
June 8, 2015 at 1:29 PMSend some of this cake over and we´ll both wallow in self pity because our kids are growing up way too fast! Every time my daughter mentions a boy she likes, I want to run away lol!
ps. this cake looks way too good!!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:29 AMI could definitely use a “wallow” party with lots of sweets with someone who understands. Kids getting older is definitely not cool!!!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
June 8, 2015 at 2:47 PMI want a huge slice of this cake right now! YUM!!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
June 8, 2015 at 3:07 PMWow, I want to walk into a party with this lovely cake! How gorgeous with those towers of frosting!!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:30 AMIt is pretty fun to walk into a room carrying this bad boy! And the frosting was so dreamy!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
June 8, 2015 at 4:52 PMOh boy, does this cake look divine! I adore anything pina colada flavored, so I know this is right up my alley. I made a pina colada bundt recently too, but mine didn’t have the decadent frosting that yours has!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:31 AMAny thing pina colada flavored is the bomb!!! I can’t wait to see your version…I bet it was delicious!!!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
June 8, 2015 at 5:23 PMOh my goodness!! Did she actually mail him a letter or just stuff it in the mail box. WOW that took some guts on her part. And I love your son’s reaction. Classic!! 🙂 I agree cake makes me happy too. This one reminds me of Hawaii and beaches. I think I need to make it and eat it while alone so I can reminisce. Pinned!!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:32 AMShe actually mailed it to him. It really was so super sweet! I still can’t believe what my son did to it…I would have loved to have kept it. Pineapple and coconut makes me think beaches too!!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
June 8, 2015 at 7:53 PMWhat a wonderful treat! I am all about the Pina Colada lately!
Amanda says
June 9, 2015 at 1:13 AMThis cake is too fun!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
June 9, 2015 at 9:24 AMJocelyn, I love this cake!!! perfect for summer!!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:32 AMThank you Alice! It really is the perfect summer cake!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
June 9, 2015 at 10:15 AMHow perfect is this cake Jocelyn?? I am such a big fan of pina colada anything so I need this cake and I would get along just fine 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:33 AMHaha! Yes, I know you and pina colada treats. I still need to make your fluff salad…I know I would love it!
tanya says
June 9, 2015 at 2:32 PMThat is so funny that your son flushed it down the toilet! lol I can’t even imagine how Ill react when my son has his first crush. He is not quite 6. 🙂 That cake looks really good. Anytime coconut is involved in cake my husband wants me to make it. 🙂
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:34 AMI know, right? Who thinks to flush a note down the toilet? Apparently 11 year old boys! I hope your hubby loves this fun cake!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
June 9, 2015 at 2:36 PMSuch a perfect cake for summer gatherings!
ChiChi says
June 9, 2015 at 5:02 PMThis cake looks amazing. Would love a slice or two.
[email protected], Love and Sugar says
June 9, 2015 at 5:13 PMomg, that is the cutest! I want a love letter! 🙂 I also want a big fat piece of this cake – it looks amazing!
Jocelyn says
June 14, 2015 at 7:34 AMTell me about it…no one writes love letters like that anymore! Although it totally made me binge on sweets because my baby shouldn’t be getting them yet!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
June 9, 2015 at 5:46 PMI am 100% in love with this cake, Jocelyn! I remember the days of childhood crushes. I’m glad that stage of my life is over although I still send love letters to my sweetie. I’m pretty sure he keeps the letters and drawings that I write to him! 🙂
Natalie Thaggard says
June 10, 2015 at 9:53 AMCould you do it as a sheet cake?
I do not have good luck with bundt pans at all!
Jocelyn says
June 11, 2015 at 12:59 PMI haven’t made this particular cake in anything but a bundt pan. Have you tried using Baker’s Joy? It is a baking spray that is amazing…cakes just fall right out of the pan. You could bake this in a 9×13 pan, but I’m not sure how long to tell you. I would bake it the time on the box and then just keep checking it until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. I hope that helps 🙂
Leslie says
June 16, 2015 at 10:05 AMWhere would I find rum extract? This cake looks amazing. I am going to try it this weekend.
Jocelyn says
June 16, 2015 at 10:25 AMYou can find rum extract in most grocery stores in the baking aisle. I usually buy it at Walmart or Meijer. I hope you enjoy the cake!!
Leslie says
June 16, 2015 at 10:32 AMThank you.
Susan says
February 16, 2016 at 6:42 PMAmazing cake! I am a coconut Junkie and this cake is so moist and delicious with loads of frosting!
viviana says
February 26, 2016 at 10:16 PMI make this bundt cake all the time. I usually use coconut pudding mix, instead of the vanilla pudding. I especially like the way you frosted it and will definitely try it on my next one.
Nancy Myers says
December 1, 2016 at 2:00 PMWhat brand of cream of coconut did you use? Can I find it at any grocery store or Walmart?
Jocelyn says
December 1, 2016 at 3:43 PMI usually buy Coco Lopez or Coco Real for my recipes. You can find it in the liquor aisle of most grocery stores, but I usually get it at Walmart.
Nancy Myers says
December 2, 2016 at 4:12 PMBundt is back. I am now watching the Great American Show and the first thing is bundt cakes. Look out top shelf over the frig, the osn is back. Lol.
Nancy Myers says
December 2, 2016 at 5:37 PMCan you make these as cupcakes?
Nancy Myers says
December 17, 2016 at 6:41 PMYou just pour the pudding mix in with the cake mix without making the pudding first?
Jocelyn says
December 17, 2016 at 9:30 PMYes, add the dry pudding mix with the cake mix. I hope you enjoy the cake!
Nancy Myers says
December 18, 2016 at 6:22 PMThank you.
Jaime says
July 16, 2017 at 11:02 AMDo you use sweetened flaked coconut? My six year old was looking at my Pinterest to get ideas for her birthday dessert and she saw this and said, “coconut and cherries on top! That’s what I want!” Excited to try it!
Jocelyn says
July 16, 2017 at 4:35 PMYes, I always use sweetened coconut because that’s what I prefer! That is so sweet that your little girl wants this cake for her birthday! I hope she enjoys it and has an awesome bday!!!
Cat says
April 29, 2018 at 10:40 AMDoes this cake freeze well without the frosting? I don’t have AC so I don’t bake in the summer but I like to have goodies in the freezer to just pull out for entertaining.
Jocelyn says
April 29, 2018 at 12:40 PMI think you could freeze the cake part just fine. Once it is completely cool, wrap it in saran wrap and a freezer bag and freeze. Then when you want to defrost it, put it in the fridge over night and frost the next day. I hope that helps and that you enjoy the cake.
Cat says
April 29, 2018 at 4:36 PMThank you and I’m looking forward to making it!
Tana says
July 31, 2018 at 8:57 PMCan you make this without the rum?
Jocelyn says
July 31, 2018 at 9:11 PMThe recipe just uses rum extract, which is not the same as rum. But you could substitute vanilla extract if you prefer. The rum extract really adds that tropical flavor though.
Phyllis says
January 7, 2019 at 4:32 PMDon’t have the coconut ???? extract do you have to use it ?
Jocelyn says
January 7, 2019 at 4:41 PMYou can use vanilla or almond extract if you have that on hand. The cake will just have a slightly less coconut flavor, but not much.
Carol says
January 25, 2019 at 5:31 PMThis cake is scrumptious. Easy to make. Everyone loved it. This was the first time I made it.
Mary Scragg says
February 8, 2019 at 12:17 PMThis cake is so moist and delicious that I am making it today for my sister’s birthday. She loves anything pina colada. The icing is perfect in taste and texture as is the cake!
Thank yu for sharing,you are making many people happy!????
Mary
Jocelyn says
February 8, 2019 at 1:16 PMYour sweet comment made my day! I’m so glad you enjoy this cake and frosting. It’s one of my favorites too!! Happy birthday to your sister!
Bee says
March 7, 2019 at 10:28 AMOh yum I love the idea of a Pina Colada cake, this looks delicious!