This Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake is made with three kinds of milk and is frosted with a creamy topping and shredded coconut. It's the perfect spring dessert.
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My husband and I have had quite a good time laughing at our son this past weekend. It was all in good fun. You see, he got a job this past week and started orientation and training.
We weren't laughing because he was working. Oh, no! This is a great opportunity for him. He had been told that if he wasn't playing sports this semester we wanted him to look for a part-time job to learn responsibility and life lessons outside the home.
The reason we were laughing is because he gets it now. He came home from the very first night and told his younger brother to never grow up. He was tired and kept asking is this really what being an adult is like? We were just kept chuckling and smiling.
One thing my son said was that I had an easy job. His desire is to be a gamer and work from home one day too.
Yes, my job is easy. I mean I work from home in my pajamas or work out clothes most mornings, and I have the flexibility to do it when I want to. But I also put many, many hours into making and creating recipes, staging & photographing food, editing photos, and writing little life tidbits in a post. You know...just the easy stuff.
I put in lots of hours as a teenager and young adult at various places of employment, and I wouldn't change that for anything. I think a job is a great way for kids to understand what their parents do and what life is really like. In fact, my kids can't believe that my favorite job of all was working drive-thru at McDonald's. Seriously that job was so fun!
But I wouldn't change my job now for anything. I absolutely love creating fun new recipes from my kitchen to share with all of you.
This cake is actually just a slight variation of this chocolate coconut cake. That cake is one of my favorites from so many years ago, and I have had so many people tell me how much they like it.
I gave it a fun spring twist by changing out the cake base to strawberry. Yes, my strawberry obsession is still running strong. These strawberry coconut smoothie bowls are still a favorite of mine during the day.
This strawberry coconut poke cake could actually be classified as a tres leches cake too. I swapped out the water for milk in the cake, then it is drenched with cream of coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk after it finishes baking.
When the cake comes out of the oven, use a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake. This is where this type of cake gets its name. Drizzle the milk mixture over the top and let it cool. Add a thick layer of Cool Whip and shredded coconut to make this cake pretty.
A large slice of this strawberry coconut poke cake would be a refreshing treat after a long hard work day. Just saying...
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Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake
Three kinds of milk and a creamy topping with coconut makes this easy Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake a refreshing spring cake. Perfect dessert for picnics or dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 strawberry cake mix
- 2 Tablespoons strawberry Nesquik powder
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 - 15 ounce can cream of coconut
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Mix the cake according to the package directions, substituting milk for the water. Add the strawberry powder to the cake mix as well. Bake in a greased glass baking dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the cake and use a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- Place the can of cream of coconut in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
- Open the cream of coconut and the sweetened condensed milk and mix together in a bowl. Slowly drizzle spoonfuls of the milk mixture over the top of the cake. Use the back of the spoon to smooth it into the holes. Cool completely.
- Cover the cake with the Cool Whip and sprinkle with the coconut. Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to serve. Makes 24 servings.
More spring strawberry desserts that our family loves:
Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad
Strawberry Shortcake Eclair Cake
More strawberry goodness from friends:
- Strawberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake from Life Made Sweeter
- Layered Strawberry Jello Cups from The First Year
- Strawberry Champagne Tart from Life Love Sugar
- Strawberry Cheesecake Napoleons from Shugary Sweets
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yay for his first job - I think that is so awesome that you are both teaching your son responsibility outside the home 🙂
And I love this cake! I've always wanted to try making a poke cake and can't think of a better combo than strawberry and coconut. It looks incredible, Jocelyn! Love the pretty color 🙂
Jocelyn
It has been good to see his new found perspective on working. LOL! Add poke cakes to your baking list...they are so good!!!
Mir
I would love to work in my PJs. But then my students might not respect me so much. It's not fair, because they're wearing PJs in my class!
This is an incredible cake. I love how it's tres leches AND poke. That's quite a cake mashup!
Jocelyn
Working in your pj's is kind of overrated...I feel so much more productive when I get dressed and showered early in the day!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I think it is awesome that your son is working! I got my first job when I was 14 because I knew that if I wanted a car, I would have to buy it. I bought my first car at the age of 16 with my own money. It was a super old saab but that thing took me through my two years of high school! Also this cake, drooling.
Jocelyn
Learning responsibility at a young age is awesome!!! My hubby is a huge fan of old Saab's...we have 2 in our driveway!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
This poke cake looks unreal- and strawberry and coconut together definitely sound like a winning combo 🙂
Jocelyn
I'm pretty much a big fan of coconut added to anything!! But then my kids don't eat it, so...it's not always a good idea. LOL!
Heather @ Boston Girl Bakes
Oh man I've been wanting to try and make a poke cake now for awhile! And I have a can of cream of coconut sitting in my pantry that I had no idea of what to use it for! Thanks for the inspiration..beautiful cake too!
Jocelyn
Get on the poke cake train...you will never want to get off 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
I love that he thinks your job is easy!!! But, YAY for teenage workers!! You're teaching him the right lessons 🙂 And this cake, you know how i feel about coconut...and strawberry...and poke cakes!
Jocelyn
I know, right? Our job is crazy hard! LOL! He definitely had an eye opening experience about work though! It's been good!