Pineapple and coconut add a fun summer twist to this easy Pina Colada Bundt Cake. It is a delicious tropical 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 too They are another crowd pleasing dessert.
Baking always makes me happy. 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 mixes.
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!
Now cakes baked in a bundt pan make me smile even more. Something about that shape just gets me every single time.
Lately I have been kind of loving the coconut and pineapple combo of a pinã colada. This Pina Colada Cake Trifle is one of my absolute favorite summer desserts, so I knew I wanted to make a tropical bundt cake with those flavors.
How to make a Pina Colada Bundt Cake
- Make sure you spray your bundt pan thoroughly with a nonstick baking spray.
- Beat the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, pineapple, extract, sour cream, and oil together first.
- Stir in shredded coconut gently. Spoon into the prepared pan and bake.
- Let the bundt cake 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.
PRO TIP: I use Baker's Joy when I bake bundt cakes. The flour and oil combo helps to release the cake smoothly every single time.
Decorating a 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 ½ 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. Add maraschino cherries with stems to the top of each swirl and sprinkle toasted coconut all over.
- 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 few minute. Then cut yourself a big slice of the pina colada cake and be transported to the tropics with every bite.
Does this bundt cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, the frosting has cream cheese in it so it needs to be refrigerated. Take the cake out about 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off the cake.
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Recipe
Pina Colada Bundt Cake
Pineapple and coconut adds a fun summer twist to this easy Pina Colada Bundt Cake. It's the perfect dessert for any summer party or picnic.
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 vanilla cake mix
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 ½ cup shredded coconut, divided
For the Frosting
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons cream of coconut
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon rum extract
- 4 ½ 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 ½ 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 and cream cheese until creamy. Add the cream of coconut, extract, and salt and beat again.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar until completely mixed in. Reserve ½ 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.
- Drain the maraschino cherries and pat dry with paper towels. Top each swirl with a cherry.
- Sprinkle the toasted coconut all around the swirls and down the sides. Keep the cake refrigerated until it is time to serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 546Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 527mgCarbohydrates: 84gFiber: 2gSugar: 66gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Pina Colada Bundt Cake was first published on June 8, 2015. The photos and post have been updated and republished July 15, 2020.
Inez
What makes this a Pina Colada Cake? There was no ingredient specifying pina colada. I will make this cake and comment.
Jocelyn
A pina colada is made with coconut, pineapple, and rum and is a delicious tropical drink. This cake is made with the same flavor combo which is why I called it a "pina colada" cake. I hope you enjoy it!
Cathy Jaspers
Can I use actual rum instead of rum extract? This recipe looks wonderful, especially with the idea of a cherry on each slice which lends to the idea of a Pina Colada!
Jocelyn
You sure can! I hope you enjoy the cake!
Jaime
This was a hit both Home and work. I used the pineapple cake mix instead of other. I added 1/8 teaspoon rum extract to cake batter. Was yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Bee
Oh yum I love the idea of a Pina Colada cake, this looks delicious!
Mary Scragg
This 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
Your 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!
Carol
This cake is scrumptious. Easy to make. Everyone loved it. This was the first time I made it.
Phyllis
Don’t have the coconut ???? extract do you have to use it ?
Jocelyn
You 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.
Tana
Can you make this without the rum?
Jocelyn
The 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.
Cat
Does 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
I 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
Thank you and I'm looking forward to making it!
Jaime
Do 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
Yes, 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!!!
Nancy Myers
You just pour the pudding mix in with the cake mix without making the pudding first?
Jocelyn
Yes, add the dry pudding mix with the cake mix. I hope you enjoy the cake!
Nancy Myers
Thank you.
Nancy Myers
Can you make these as cupcakes?
Nancy Myers
What brand of cream of coconut did you use? Can I find it at any grocery store or Walmart?
Jocelyn
I 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
Bundt 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.
viviana
I 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.
Susan
Amazing cake! I am a coconut Junkie and this cake is so moist and delicious with loads of frosting!
Leslie
Where would I find rum extract? This cake looks amazing. I am going to try it this weekend.
Jocelyn
You 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
Thank you.
Natalie Thaggard
Could you do it as a sheet cake?
I do not have good luck with bundt pans at all!
Jocelyn
I 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 9x13 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 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg
I 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! 🙂
Lindsay@Life, Love and Sugar
omg, that is the cutest! I want a love letter! 🙂 I also want a big fat piece of this cake - it looks amazing!
Jocelyn
Tell 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!
ChiChi
This cake looks amazing. Would love a slice or two.