Delicious and easy Pina Colada cake recipe for Cinco de Mayo. Moist coconut cake layers, crushed pineapple and lime curd filling, pineapple buttercream frosting and shredded coconut flakes.
Easy Pina Colada Cake Recipe
I am planning a big party and I am lost in a never-ending search and piles of recipes. Cinco de Mayo is coming and I have no clue what I am making.
Why such a big fuss?
It’s my hubby’s birthday and funny enough Mexican food is right there on the top list of his favorites AND…I know, like I need anything else… he has lived in Mexico long enough to know traditional Mexican flavors.
Ha! No pressure 🙂
Like any good party, you start first with planning the dessert, right?! Now that we have our priorities set, how is this: moist coconut cake layers filled with crushed pineapple and lime curd filling, pineapple buttercream frosting and some more shredded coconut?
Sounds like one of the best Mexican desserts!
Ingredients Pina Colada Cake
- unsalted butter
- eggs
- sugar
- flour
- buttermilk
- coconut cream
- crushed pineapple
- rum
- lime curd
- shredded coconut
How to Make Pine Colada Cake Recipe
You know me, I like easy and delicious recipes and this one fits perfectly into this category. Nothing better than Pina Colada cake made from scratch, right?!
Now let’s break it down:
- Making the coconut cake (no cake mix box) – mix all sponge cake ingredients and bake for almost 50 minutes at 350F.
- Once the sponge cake is out of the oven and called down, we start making the filling: lime curd, crushed pineapple and a bit of rum.
- We cut the sponge cake into 3 laters and fill with pineapple rum filling.
- Next step, we prepare the pineapple flavored buttercream frosting, add it to the cake and add some shredded coconut flakes.
It is heaven! Light, moist and not too sweet.
I have chosen to make 6 mini cakes, but you can make one big, traditional cake. My recipe also has all the details you will need (hopefully) to make a big cake.
More Mexican Recipes you may want to try!
- Huevos Rancheros
- Mexican Chicken Chilaquiles
- Mexican Seafood Soup
- Chipotle Shrimp & Corn Tostadas
- Mexican Caldo Tlalpeno Soup
- Mexican Tortilla Soup
- Chorizo and Shrimp Quesadillas
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup rum
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 jar lime curd
- 16 oz crushed pineapple
- 3 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- Preheat oven at 360F/ 180C.
Prepare 6 small (4 inch) cake pans (or 2 regular, 8 inch cake pans) by lining the bottoms with baking paper (parchment paper). Do not spray sides.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, whack together eggs and sugar for 5 minutes. Add slowly vegetable oil and mix until fully incorporated. On low speed, begin adding flour, 1/2 cup at one time alternating with buttermilk, rum and coconut cream.
Repeat until all the ingredients are added, including baking powder. Scrape well the sides, making sure there are no lumps.
Divide batter evenly between 6 mini cake pans (or between the 2 regular size cake pans) and bake for 25 minutes. If you are using 2 regular cake pans, bake for 50 minutes.
The cakes should be a golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle should come clean. Cool completely in the pans before removing them.
- In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until light and fluffy. Add pineapple juice and milk and beat on high for 2 minutes. Adjust consistency with some more milk, if needed until soft and creamy. Place it in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- To assemble the cakes, carefully remove with a serrated knife the tops of each cake and discard.
Cut each mini cake, horizontally to create 3 layers. Place bottom layer onto a plate, top with mixture of crushed pineapple and lime curd, trying to spread it evenly.
Place the second layer and add some more pineapple lime filling.
Place the top layer and press a little bit the whole cake stack.
Using a spatula, spread a thin layer of pineapple buttercream over the sides, edges and top of each cake.
Place the cakes in the fridge for at least 1 hour to set.
Once the cakes are set, spread another generous pineapple buttercream layer over the entire cake. Repeat for all mini cakes.
Coat cakes in coconut flakes, pressing lightly to set.
Refrigerate to set completely. Allow 1 hour at room temperature before serving it.
ramblingtart says
What a lovely cake! I adore real Mexican food too. 🙂 Right now pico de gallo (tomato, white onion, jalapeno, lime, and coriander) and guacamole (avocado, tomato, lime juice, cumin, coriander, and salt) are my must haves. They go so well with eggs, tortilla chips, burritos, nachos, etc. 🙂
Adore Foods says
Oh, you made my day Krista! Pico de gallo is on the list this week. Yupi!
Nancy |Plus Ate Six says
I love the idea of several mini cakes instead of a big one. What beautiful photos – again. Happy birthday to your hubby.
Zamamabakes says
Oh my goodness Oana, this cake looks amazing, your husband would of loved it! What a brilliant combination of flavours! I bet you had delicious time celebrating. xx
nagimaehashi says
Oana, this is just about the COOLEST cake idea I have seen in yonks. You rock! I’m scheduling this to pin lots!!
Adore Foods says
Thank you Nagi!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
What an incredible cake! Just love your gorgeous photography!
Adore Foods says
Thank you so much Jess!
Lokness says
Adorable mini cakes! The coconut, lime and pineapple combination is always a winner. Happy Birthday to your husband! I bet he was one happy person after these cakes! How cute is that Piñata? My husband and his family bought me a piñata for my birthday a few years back (my very 1st one). But it was so hard to break, my husband ended up breaking it for me. HAHA! It was fun though. 😉
Adore Foods says
Thank you Lokness! He really enjoyed them 🙂 My daughter loves pinatas. But gosh, aren’t they so hard to break?! We have a tradition with pinatas on the first day of the year. No matter how we have to break it. My wooden pin roller never disappoints.
Margaret says
What is coconut cream?
Adore Foods says
Hi Margaret. Coconut cream is very similar to coconut milk but thicker, like a paste consistency. I found mine at Wegmans/ Whole Foods. Hope it helps! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Vasiliki says
What if there is no coconut cream in your town’s super markets? Can it be substituted by coconut milk or heavy cream with grated coconut? By the way, I’ve noticed a few recipes with greek titles, have you ever visited my country?
Adore Foods says
Hi Vasiliki! I would go half part coconut milk, half part heavy cream. I LOVE your country <3 and I was lucky enough to have been there on 3 different occasions. Would love to come back soon. Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
Wow! It sounds so tasty. I need to make them:) Pinning!
Adore Foods says
They are delicious! Hope you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
Coconut and pineapple are one of my favourite combinations! And since it is still feeling pretty cold around here (hello, spring, where are you?!), I need all the tropical vibes I can get. I love that you made them into mini cakes. These would be such a perfect dessert for any summer celebration!
Ben Myhre says
These cupcakes look really delicious and look like such a Summertime treat. Thanks for sharing!
EA The Spicy RD says
What fun cakes and lucky husband! I would love to try making a gluten free version of this pina colada cake-yum! Happy Birthday to your husband!