No Bake Pineapple Coconut Cake (Printable Version)
Tropical no-bake dessert with creamy coconut, fresh pineapple, and a crunchy cookie base.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 7 oz graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
02 - 2.6 oz unsalted butter, melted
→ Pineapple Coconut Cream Filling
03 - 1 2/3 cups full-fat coconut milk
04 - 8.8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
05 - 3.5 oz powdered sugar
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
07 - 10.5 oz pineapple tidbits, drained and chopped (fresh or canned)
08 - 2.1 oz desiccated coconut
09 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, kept cold
→ Topping
10 - 1.75 oz toasted coconut flakes
11 - 3.5 oz pineapple slices or tidbits
# How To Make:
01 - Line the base of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Combine the crushed graham crackers and melted butter in a medium bowl until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a uniform, compact crust. Place in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
03 - Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until completely smooth and free of lumps.
04 - Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and continue beating until the mixture is fully combined and silky.
05 - Gently fold the chopped pineapple tidbits and desiccated coconut into the cream cheese mixture using a rubber spatula.
06 - In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks hold their shape. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the pineapple coconut mixture in two additions, maintaining as much volume as possible.
07 - Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula for a level finish.
08 - Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the filling is firm and sliceable.
09 - Just before serving, arrange toasted coconut flakes and fresh pineapple slices over the top. Slice with a warm knife for clean portions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Zero oven time means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane during hot months.
- The tropical flavor combination instantly transports you to a beach mindset, no plane ticket required.
- It looks stunning with almost no effort, making you appear far more impressive than the work you actually put in.
02 -
- Under draining the pineapple is the number one reason this cake fails to set properly, so press those tidbits dry with paper towels.
- Chilling overnight transforms the texture from soft to perfectly sliceable, and the flavors deepen into something truly special.
03 -
- Toast the coconut flakes in a dry skillet over low heat, watching constantly because they go from golden to burnt in seconds.
- A drizzle of mango or passionfruit sauce over each slice turns a great dessert into an unforgettable one.