Coconut and Lemon Poke Cake – a white cake soaked in a coconut milk mixture, then topped with lemon curd, whipped topping and coconut.
Lemon = Love
Coconut = Love
Coconut soaked cake, topped with lemon curd, then whipped topping and coconut = how could you not love??
This was the dessert that I brought to my family Easter dinner. When I volunteered to bring a coconut dessert, a coconut poke cake kept popping into my head. But I wanted to take it up a notch, and since I’ve been obsessed with lemon curd lately, I thought that a layer of lemon curd would be the perfect addition. And I was right!!
If you have never had a poke cake before, you are in for a treat. Normally not a fan of soggy cake, it’s surprising that I love poke cakes so much. And this one is really moist. So moist, in fact, that it was almost difficult to keep this piece intact to take a picture of it. But I enjoyed every. single. bite.
This cake starts with a boxed white cake (which makes it easy!). While the cake is still hot, you poke it with a skewer and pour sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut over the hot cake. Just as a note – the cream of coconut is a sweetened coconut cream that you can usually find by the drink mixers. It is different than coconut cream.
Let the cake cool, so that the sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut can really soak into the cake.
On top of the soaked cake you put a layer of homemade lemon curd. You could use store bought lemon curd as well, but homemade is pretty easy, and so delicious. Then everything is topped off with Cool Whip and coconut. I’m seriously in love with this cake!
More Lemon and Coconut Recipes
Coconut Snowball Cupcakes
Toasted Coconut Ice Cream
Coconut Bread
Lemon Cheesecake
Lemon Sunshine Cupcakes
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Coconut and Lemon Poke Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 16-20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Coconut and Lemon Poke Cake – a white cake soaked in a coconut milk mixture, then topped with lemon curd, whipped topping and coconut.
Ingredients
- 1 (16.25-oz) white cake mix
- 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (15-oz) cream of coconut (usually found with the drink mixers)
- 2 cups lemon curd
- 1 (16-oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (such as Cool Whip)
- 2 cups sweetened coconut
Instructions
- Prepare the cake according to package directions. While still hot, poke holes through the top of the cake with a skewer.
- In a bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut. Pour over the warm cake.
- When the cake has cooled, spread the lemon curd over the top of the cake. If not serving right away, refrigerate. When ready to serve, top with the Cool Whip and then sprinkle with coconut.
darla coffman says
The coconut poke cake with lemon curd loos delicious. May have to try this recipe
JANICE CARNEAL says
I LOVE THIS CAKE! WILL MAKE IT FOR MY END OF CHOIR PARTY! I USE CANNED MUSSELMAN’S
PIE FILLING INSTEAD OF THE LEMON CURD-ALSO USE LEMON CAKE MIX INSTEAD OF WHITE-USE LOW FAT SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK VS REGUAR. EVERYONE JUST LOVES THE CAKE! MY NEW PRIEST HAS NEVER
TASTED THE CAKE-KNOW HE’LL LOVE IT! THANKS FOR POSTING!
Deborah says
I’m so glad it was a hit!
Linda Hielscher says
I made this cake about a week ago. At first it hadn’t had but a few hours in the refrigerator and I thought it was to sweet. After sitting in the fridge overnight the cake transformed. Oh my … sinfully good. I did leave off the lemon curd (requested by children) and they devoured it. I will make this again and again.
Shelba May says
I am glad. Was this your original recipe?
Shelba May says
I’ve made this cake twice since it was first published on Recipe Lion. It was a tremendous hit both times and I class it as the best cake I have ever made.
Deborah says
Your comment just made my day! Thank you!
Polly says
I am a diabetic and was wondering if I could use the plain coconut milk instead the coconut cream and also the low sugar condensed milk in the recipe. The sugar content in this pie would shoot my blood sugar sky high. It sounds like a nice flavored cake with the lemon curd and want to try it but usually have to modify the sweet ingredients. Thank you for the recipe and will hopefully be able to make a great pie like yours but without all the sweet things and sub with lower sugar ingredients.
Deborah says
@Polly, I’m not sure if coconut milk would work, simply because it is so much thinner than the cream. It may work if you used a smaller amount, but I haven’t tried using it as a substitution. And I haven’t tried the low sugar condensed milk, but I’m guessing it would be a fine substitution.
marcie@flavorthemoments. says
cream of coconut is one of the most decadent things in this world, and coupled with lemon curd, I’d be in heaven!
theGoodiePlate says
I absolutely love lemons and coconut. Together they are deliciously amazing! This looks so good 🙂
bigFATcook says
Yummy! I love the way they look! And the coconut… just lovely 😀
grace says
what a marvelous easter dessert–ill have to keep it in mind for next year! it looks awfully easy to make, which is always a plus. 🙂
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
I’m a lemon lover too! So refreshing!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Can you bring this wonderful cake to my easter family dinner too? 🙂
Cookin' Canuck says
There is not a single bit of this cake that I don’t love. I’m just afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop eating it.
vianney says
What a combo, packed with flavor!! I love lemon in any form,but with coco…oh heaven!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
Coconut and Lemon are two of my favorite combinations. This looks amazing and so easy! A definite must try!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking says
It’s like you read my heart.
Joanne says
Oh how I wish I had been at your Easter dinner. My father HATES citrus so I can never bring any lemony desserts over even though they’re my favorites! it’s so sad.
Deborah says
@Joanne, I would be SO sad if my family hated citrus. I couldn’t live without it!!
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
Yes, what’s not to love? This looks great! I love lemon and coconut. My hubby would LOVE this!!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says
I’m drooling. My favorites in one dessert!
Kristy says
Wish I could have been at your Easter dinner! Yum! This does look out of this world good. 🙂
Becky at Vintage Mixer says
whoa!! This looks right up my alley. Great recipe!!
Chels R. says
I’ve never heard of a poke cake before. It sounds like the “Wet” cakes people are always trying to get me to eat. People as in my mother, lol! This looks divine. I see myself making some lemon curd in my future very soon!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
This looks so light and delicate and gorgeous. Love the colors you used and the scene for the photos. Breath-taking!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Coconut and lemon sound like the perfect match. I love the coconut topping!
Lauren of Spanish Sabores says
This looks incredible! It combines some of my favorite flavors. I’ve never heard of a Poke Cake before though!
Deborah says
@Lauren of Spanish Sabores, if you’ve had a tres leches cake, it’s a lot the same. If you haven’t, you should try it sometime – I love them!
Julie @ Table for Two says
Oh wow, I love cakes that are soaked in condensed milk goodness! And also the fact that it has coconut milk in it just sounds to die for. I recently discovered coconut milk and I’m so hooked!!
Deborah says
@Julie @ Table for Two, this is even more sinful because it uses cream of coconut instead of regular coconut milk. The super sweet stuff used to make drinks. It’s sooo good!!
Kristy (Sweet Treats & More) says
Okay, this looks amazing!! Have fun at the Tulip Festival!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
An old coworker use to always make poke cakes. Love this one!
amanda @ fake ginger says
It needs to get warm (and stay warm) so I can make this! It’s so perfect for summer. And so easy!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
Mmm…sounds perfectly tart. 😀
Rachel Cooks (formerly Not Rachael Ray) says
I bet this tastes just like summer! 🙂 Looks delicious!
Katrina says
Yum! This is such a yummy sounding cake! I love it!
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
The light and fluffy texture looks perfect!
Rosa says
What a delicious looking and sounding cake!
Cheers,
Rosa