This Pina Colada Cake Trifle is perfect to make and serve at summer picnics and barbecues. Layers of cake, fruit, and no bake cheesecake makes a dessert that will wow everyone.
*I am excited to be partnering with the American Dairy Association, Mideast this year to bring you some dairy recipes.
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I have officially gone a trifle crazy.
My brain is in overload right now because this past week I tried to learn a new photo editing program. I feel like my head wants to explode. Part of me thinks I should just stick with the old one because I was comfortable with it.
If it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it, right? But the other part of me knows that once I get it, my pictures should look better. Fingers crossed that’s true because I’m trying.
With the kids home for summer vacation, I know that I will not have as much time to put into work stuff. That’s ok though. After one day of working on photos, I’m fried. I think it’s time to go to the pool to chill with a big mug of this Frozen Salted Caramel Mocha Hot Chocolate.
Some days I wonder how I can blog so much because computers and I just don’t get along. Just last night I thought I had it figured out only to find out that I had saved the photos in the wrong color setting.
Thank goodness my hubby was home to help me google the issue. It’s a good thing he is so sane when I start to have a melt down. Chocolate also helps…
Want to know what else I have been going crazy about?
I have officially gone crazy for trifles and parfaits. I bought a trifle bowl a few weeks ago and made this Oatmeal Creme Pie Berry Trifle, and now you wouldn’t believe the ideas floating around in my head.
Ok, you probably would believe it because you know me, and you know how I get crazy dessert ideas all the time.
June is National Dairy Month, so I got my big bowl out and made a fun layered cake trifle. This dessert is full of cake, fruit, and a no bake cheesecake that is full of dairy goodness.
Did you know that Ohio dairy farmers produce over 630 million gallons of milk each year? That’s a lot of milk coming from the midwest.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit two farms in Ohio and to see just how well these cows are taken care of.
I was very impressed with the care and quality of the farms and cows. These dairy farmers truly care about the care and comfort of the cows on their farms.
One serving of milk, cheese, or yogurt provides 8 grams of protein and 9 essential vitamins. Most people only consume 1-2 serving of dairy each day, but to meet dairy recommendations they should be eating 3 full servings.
Milk is one of the most requested but least donated item to food banks across the nation. If you feel the need to help out with food banks, keep that in mind.
The cheesecake layer in this easy cake trifle is packed with cream cheese and milk. I wanted to be sure my family was getting a full serving of dairy with their dessert.
The more dairy you consume now helps you later in life. Strong bones and healthy teeth are just a benefit from getting those dairy servings in when you are younger.
How to make a Pina Colada Cake Trifle:
- Cake: Use the juice from the canned pineapple when you mix together the cake mix and ingredients. Using the juice instead of water will help give your cake a pineapple flavor. Let it cool completely and then cut it into 1 inch cubes.
- Fruit: For this cake trifle, you are going to use a can of crushed pineapple and 2 jars of maraschino cherries. Make sure you save the pineapple juice when you drain the pineapple. Drain and rinse the cherries in a colander.
- No Bake Cheesecake: The no-bake cheesecake layer is made from cream cheese, milk, pudding, coconut, extracts, and Cool Whip. Whisk together the pudding, milk, and extracts and let it set up. Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the pudding, Cool Whip, and shredded coconut, and beat it all together.
- Toasted Coconut: Spread some of the shredded coconut on a dark sheet pan and bake it for 4-5 minutes. Stir it after 2 minutes, so the outside pieces do not burn. Remove the pan from the oven and let the coconut cool.
- Assemble: Place half the cake cubes in the bottom of a large trifle bowl. Spoon half the drained pineapple on top and spread it out. Sprinkle one jar of drained cherries on top. Spoon half the no bake coconut cheesecake on top and spread it out gently. Repeat the layers. Add the toasted coconut to the top and chill for a few hours.
- Decorate: Pipe swirls of Cool Whip around the edge of the bowl and in the center using a piping bag and icing tip 1M. Cherries with stems adds the perfect finishing touch the top.
Now go ahead and dig in with a big spoon because after one bite you will be transported to a tropical island.
Well, as long as you keep your eyes closed, so you do not see the pile of dirty dishes in your kitchen from making this fun summer cake trifle.
Other easy pudding parfaits that you may enjoy:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge Cheesecake Parfaits
- Peach Pie Cheesecake Parfaits
- Mocha Fudge Pudding Parfaits
- No Bake Caramel Mud Pie Cups
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Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 343 Total Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 16mg Sodium: 324mg Carbohydrates: 57g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 40g Protein: 3g
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*The photos for this Pina Colada Cake Trifle were updated on June 29, 2019.
**Inside BruCrew Life was compensated by ADA Mideast for my time in creating this recipe and post. All opinions are 100% my own.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
June 1, 2015 at 7:56 AMThis trifle is so pretty, Jocelyn! It’s definitely getting me in the mood for summer! I love the pina colada flavors!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:24 PMThank you! I am very ready for all summer things all the time!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
June 1, 2015 at 8:09 AMCake Trifles are THE BEST because they are so easy, feed LOTS of people and are always a show stopper! The Pina Colada goodness is perfection for what my summer-food loving face wants! Pinned!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:25 PMI would have to agree with you 100%! Pina colada and summer just go together so well!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
June 1, 2015 at 8:25 AMOoohh, this would be a great addition to a summer picnic. Coconut and pineapple is one of my favorite flavor combinations. 😀
[email protected] says
June 1, 2015 at 10:27 AMI am so inefficient with my photo editing sometimes. I could use a serving of trifle to help me through it!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:26 PMIt was stressing me out so much that I went back to the one that I know how to use for the rest of the week 😉 One of these days I’ll go back to Lightroom…I think!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
June 1, 2015 at 10:28 AMI think the pictures look good!! LR is so hard but you’ll get a workflow and then it’ll be easier. This trifle looks fantastic!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:27 PMFingers crossed that I figure it out…I gave up and went back to the other one for the rest of the week. Why don’t you live closer so you can show me what I’m not getting?!?!?!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
June 1, 2015 at 1:28 PMUm, yum! This looks awesome and so easy to prepare, but a total crowd pleaser. Love the unique and summery flavors and anything cheesecake is an automatic win with me 🙂
kentuckylady717 says
June 1, 2015 at 2:03 PMYum…..this is so pretty, I bet your kids loved it eh ? Makes a beautiful dessert……your kids sure do eat well 🙂 and hubby too……
Jen says
June 1, 2015 at 3:37 PMThis trifle is calling my name! I want to swim in that bowl!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:28 PMHaha! Sounds like a great idea 🙂
Mir says
June 1, 2015 at 4:31 PMThis is the trifle to beat! Wow. I had no idea this could even be reality.
Good luck with your new editing! The pics look fantastic to me!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:29 PMThank you Mir! At least trifles are good for drowning your editing sorrows in! I’m sure I’ll get it…but I’m going to complain about it until I do 😉
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
June 1, 2015 at 7:30 PMThis cake trifle is calling my name! Love the pina colada twist!
Maureen Blackburn says
June 1, 2015 at 8:23 PMCan’t wait to see all the trifle recipes you come up with. I love doing trifles because it lets creativity rule. Never ate a bad trifle, and your pina colada is a true winner!!!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
June 1, 2015 at 11:25 PMI’m 110% behind your Trifle madness!! Heck to the yes!!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:29 PMGood to know the trifle madness is going to get rave reviews 🙂
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
June 2, 2015 at 12:26 AMThis looks incredible! I love the Pina Colada theme!!
ChiChi says
June 2, 2015 at 5:24 AMThis trifle looks delicious. Love the tropical flavours. Fantastic photos as well. I recently started using photoshop to edit my pictures and in the beginning it was frustrating, now not so much. Just keep practising and you will be fine.
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:30 PMThank you so much for the encouragement! I know it will just take some practice to get familiar with the new buttons and sliders…it’s just frustrating at the beginning!
Beth says
June 2, 2015 at 8:15 AMAnytime I try to learn a new program I spend like 5+ hours googling questions and watching videos! But once you learn it, it feels great! This trifle is perfect for our pineapple week right now! 🙂
sheila says
June 2, 2015 at 9:21 AMI love trifle!! All those yummy layers. This one looks amazing! Can’t wait to see what else you come with to fill that new trifle dish with.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
June 2, 2015 at 9:38 AMGorgeous trifle Jocelyn, great flavor mix. I’ll be snacking on those yummy cake cubes too. Loved all the dairy farm pictures. I actually went to a boarding school for high school. It was on the grounds of a former dairy farm in NH, quite an experience, and a heritage too.
Joan says
June 2, 2015 at 11:32 AMI love a good trifle, and this one looks so fun! I love the toasted coconut on the top, it all looks so tropical and delicious! Saving this recipe for the next party I host/attend. : )
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:31 PMThank you so much Joan! I do love me some toasted coconut too! It is so perfect for any party!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
June 2, 2015 at 3:59 PMI have been seeing so many amazing looking trifles Jocelyn and this is one I just HAVE to try! So gorgeous and perfect for a crowd!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:31 PMThank you so much Trish! I hope you do try this one…it was sooooo good!
tanya says
June 2, 2015 at 9:59 PMSummer break definitely means there isn’t as much time to create anything complicated, whether it’s dinner or dessert! This is such a great way to feed my sweet tooth during pool season!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
June 2, 2015 at 11:55 PMThis looks ssssoooo good Jocelyn! I love me a good trifle and I’m just wanting to do a face plant in this! LOL! Pinned.
Sarah @ Sugar Bananas says
June 6, 2015 at 8:41 AMJocelyn, this is beautiful! It looks like it belongs in a magazine. Good luck with the new software. I know that’s frustrating. At least you have a delicious trifle to help you through the learning curve. Hehe. Happy Summer to you!
Jocelyn says
June 8, 2015 at 12:32 PMThank you Sarah! I’m going to need a few more trifles as I learn I think. My brain hates new things like this!!!
Jacqui says
June 2, 2016 at 3:27 PMI am planning on make this recipe this weekend for a Hawaiian themed party. However, I do not have coconut or rum extracts and I’m not sure where to purchase these. Is there anything I can use to substitute?
Jocelyn says
June 2, 2016 at 3:39 PMYou can use vanilla extract if you have that, although it will change the taste slightly. You can buy coconut and rum extract at any grocery store or Walmart in the baking aisle.
ernest says
December 27, 2016 at 7:35 PMCan I substitute the cream cheese for something else? Thank you for the great picture of that fab trifle.
Jocelyn says
December 28, 2016 at 8:57 PMYou could leave out the cream cheese and double the pudding, milk, and Cool Whip, so that you have enough to spread between the layers of cake. I hope you enjoy the trifle!
Kristen D. says
March 29, 2017 at 2:43 PMCan’t wait to make this for Easter! What did you make the swirly things with on the top garnish? Fabulous! Just fabulous!!!
Jocelyn says
March 29, 2017 at 3:16 PMI used a piping bag and icing tip 1M to create the swirls with Cool Whip. I hope you enjoy the trifle!!!