Pina Colada Pound Cake is a tropical, buttery cake inspired by the classic cocktail, complete with the flavors of coconut, pineapple, and a hint of rum. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you want a slice of paradise. The cake is rich, with a tender crumb and a tropical twist that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Here’s a recipe for Pina Colada Pound Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract (optional, for more coconut flavor)
- 1/4 cup rum (optional, or use rum extract for a non-alcoholic version)
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (or use fresh pineapple if you prefer)
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice (or coconut milk)
- 1 tbsp rum (optional)
Garnish:
- Extra shredded coconut (for sprinkling)
- Pineapple slices or maraschino cherries (optional, for decoration)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Alternatively, you can use a non-stick baking spray with flour for easy release.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes, until light and fluffy.
4. Add the Eggs:
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Add the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate small bowl, combine the coconut milk, pineapple juice, and rum (or rum extract). Add the coconut extract if using.
- With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Stir in Coconut and Pineapple:
- Gently fold in the shredded coconut and crushed pineapple with a spatula. The batter should be thick and rich.
7. Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan or loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes (for a bundt pan) or 45-50 minutes (for a loaf pan), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top of the cake should be golden and firm to the touch.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the Glaze (Optional):
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze (optional). In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and rum (if using). Adjust the consistency by adding more juice or sugar, depending on how thick or thin you want the glaze to be.
9. Glaze the Cake:
- Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake. You can also sprinkle extra shredded coconut on top for a more festive look.
- For an extra tropical touch, garnish with pineapple slices or maraschino cherries on top of the cake.
Tips:
- Make-Ahead: This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together. It keeps well in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can replace the rum with an additional 1/4 cup of pineapple juice or use rum extract for that signature rum flavor.
- Coconut Variations: For more coconut flavor, you can use coconut oil instead of butter, though it will slightly alter the texture. You can also add more shredded coconut to the batter if you like.
Pina Colada Pound Cake is a slice of tropical bliss, with its moist crumb, rich coconut and pineapple flavor, and just the right touch of rum. Perfect for summer parties, brunches, or anytime you want to bring a little tropical sunshine into your day! Enjoy! 🌴🍍🥥
