Putting layers of cake, fruit, and a no bake cheesecake in a big bowl makes a dessert that will wow everyone this summer. This Pina Colada Cake Trifle is perfect to make and serve for all those picnics and barbecues you will be attending this summer.
*I am excited to be partnering with the American Dairy Association, Mideast this year to bring you some dairy recipes.
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 stick with the old one because I was comfortable with it. If it’s not broke, don’t 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.
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 just one day of doing these photos on my own, I’m good with going to the pool to chill. 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.
Want to know what else I have been going crazy about?
I have officially gone crazy for trifles. 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 how I get crazy ideas all the time.
June is National Dairy Month, so I got my big bowl out and made a fun layered trifle. This dessert is full of cake, fruit, and 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 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 helps you later in life. Strong bones and healthy teeth are just a benefit from getting those dairy servings in when you are younger.
When you bake the cake, make sure you drain your pineapple and use that as part of the liquid in the cake batter. This will help give your cake a little bit of pineapple flavor. Let it cool and then cut it into 1 inch cubes. When you put the trifle together, you will have a little bit of cake leftover. You do what feels best to you…I chose to snack on the extra cubes every time I walked through the kitchen.
With any pina colada, you need to have some coconut. The no-bake cheesecake layer is made from cream cheese, milk, pudding, coconut, and Cool Whip. Beat it all together and layer it with the cake and fruit. Now go ahead and take a big bite. It is like being 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 front of you from baking up a storm.
Connect more with the American Dairy Association:
Layers of pineapple cake, no-bake coconut cheesecake, and fruit make this Pina Colada Trifle a fun dessert to bring to summer picnics and barbecues.
Ingredients
- 1 vanilla cake mix
- 1 - 20 ounce can crushed pineapple
- 1 - 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries, with stems
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 - 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup milk
- 11/4 cup shredded coconut, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 1/2 cups Cool Whip, divided
Instructions
- Take 1/4 cup of the shredded coconut and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Watch the coconut in the oven and remove when it starts to brown. Let cool.
- Drain the pineapple and save the juice. Use the juice in place of the liquid when you make the cake batter. Bake in a 9x13 pan, according to the package directions. Remove and let cool completely. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
- Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Set aside. Whisk the pudding into the milk until it thickens. Slowly add the pudding and extracts to the cream cheese, beating until creamy. Fold in 1 cup of coconut and 1 cup of Cool Whip.
- Drain the cherries and set aside 10 cherries. Cut the rest of the cherries in half and pat dry.
- Place 4 cups of cake cubes in a large bowl. Top with half of the drained pineapple and half the cherries. Spread half of the cheesecake layer over the fruit gently. Repeat the layers. Sprinkle the top with the toasted coconut. Swirl on the remaining Cool Whip and garnish with the reserved cherries. Keep refrigerated until you serve it.
I am joining with a great group of blog friends to bring you dairy recipes for Dairy Month. Make sure you visit each one for a delicious recipe to enjoy this summer.
Lemons for Lulu: Coconut Banana Cream Pie
Country Cleaver: Chocolate Chip Mini Greek Yogurt Pops
Climbing Grier Mountain: Chicken Shawarma Gratin with Jalapeno Mint Yogurt
Food Faith Fitness: Cauliflower Pizza with Greek Yogurt Pesto
Well-Plated: Berry Breakfast Yogurt Popsicles
Love Grows Wild: Smoothie Popsicles
Eat2Gather: Grilled Cheese Bar
In Katrina’s Kitchen: Milk and Cereal Breakfast Popsicles
Shugary Sweets: S’mores Coffee Milkshake
Join us for a Twitter Barn Party on June 10th, where we will be sharing all things dairy.
More ways to get your dairy servings this summer:
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes
*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!!!