A Punch Bowl Cake is the perfect dump-and-go dish for all your summer potlucks! This quick, no bake cake comes together in minutes, feeds a crowd, and only requires 5 basic ingredients to make. It is a cool, creamy dessert that is perfect as a summer treat!
How to Make A Punch Bowl Cake
So you found out there is a potluck tomorrow and need something FAST that looks homemade and everyone will be begging for the recipe? I think we have all been there. Today, I have you covered though with this Punch Bowl Cake Recipe. This can be made in less than 30 minutes with a store-bought cake and voila! Instant culinary genius!
There are 3 desserts I can not be left alone with: Thin Mint Cookies, Key Lime Pie, and this Punch Bowl Cake. It’s one of those sneaky desserts. The kind that you find yourself looking for just a little bit more only to realize you ate like half the bowl. A friend introduced me to this marvel several years ago at a work potluck and it gave me that amorous feeling from the very start. It’s been several years since I originally published this recipe, but I got the chance to make it yet again recently and I decided it was time to update the photos, because it really is one of my favorite quick and delicious summer desserts for potlucks.
Layered Punch Bowl Cake Recipe Variation
The main reason that I mix this variation rather than layering it is that the whip cream seems to bind a bit to the cake and protect it from becoming soggy, especially if I make it the night before. Frankly, it’s also just faster to dump and mix it in.
However, this punch bowl cake recipe can be beautifully layered, similar to a trifle.To keep the cake from soaking up too much juice from the pineapple, I recommend layering it in the following way: 1/2 cake, 1/2 whip cream, half mixture of strawberries and pineapple, repeat with the remaining halves.
(Double Batch shown in this photo)
Notes for Making A Punch Bowl Cake with Strawberries and Pineapple
I suppose I should list a few notes from my many times making this. First, I make my own vanilla extract and it is so easy!
For this recipe, you can use angel cake, yellow cake, or pound cake depending on your own preference. I personally use a dense yellow cake (just a taste preference), but I do find that it often crumbles more than either pound cake or angel cake. Using a store bought angel cake makes for a deliciously light and airy texture, however.
Lastly, fresh pineapple does not have as much juice. If you find the cake to be too dry, use canned or reserve some of the pineapple juice. I usually use canned pineapple with angel cake because it tends to be dry to me.
You can also use any fruit you like to add color or contrast. It doesn’t have to be a strawberry punch bowl cake, but the bright colors look beautiful. Try out blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, peaches, or pears!
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- 1 yellow or angel food cake store bought or homemade
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 Tbsp White Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 1/2 lb Strawberries
- 20 oz canned chunked pineapple in juice or fresh pineapple
- Almonds or pecans optional
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*See note about serving size. Wash and slice strawberries. Drain pineapple. Set aside.
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In a large chilled bowl, add the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla. Whip at high speed, until very fluffy and stiff. It should stick to the sides of the bowl.
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Cut cake into bite sized chunks.
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In punch bowl or other large bowl, add fruit, cake and whip cream. Fold together with a spoon. Topped with toasted almonds or chopped pecans, if desired.
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The cake can be served immediately but is best overnight to allow the fruit to soak into the cake. The cake will not become soggy overnight. Lasts about 3 days usually.
This recipe makes about 8-10 cups at it's current written size, which would not fill a large punch bowl. If you want to nearly fill a cake stand sized bowl (as pictured), I recommend doubling the recipe.
Truthfully, this cake really does best with home made whipped cream. Substituting with cool whip or, worse, reddi-whip is not recommended.
This punch bowl cake recipe can be beautifully layered, similar to a trifle.To keep the cake from soaking up too much juice from the pineapple, I recommend layering it in the following way: 1/2 cake, 1/2 whip cream, half mixture of strawberries and pineapple, repeat with the remaining halves.
You can use angel cake, yellow cake, or pound cake depending on your own preference. I personally use a dense yellow cake (just a taste preference), but I do find that it often crumbles much more when mixing than either pound cake or angel cake.
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Looking for more easy dessert ideas?
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- Strawberry Cheesecake Rice Krispies
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- Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl
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- Key Lime Pie
Hello Rachel, Thanks for quick and delicious dish to pass idea. Wishing you a super weekend and sharing everywhere, of course.
Oh this looks really good! Thanks for linking up to The Creative Exchange Linky Party!
Oooh, I think my mom makes something similar to this! I’m pinning and sharing! Thank you for sharing with us on Merry Monday Link Party! Come back next week ~ we’d love to have you! Julia
Thanks for linking up at the Creative Spark Link Party! I hope you will stop by again today to link up! http://bit.ly/1kbGQ7W
Wow! This looks wonderful!
Thanks for linking up to Tip Me Tuesday linky party. {knuckle bumps}
Did you know that I can “lend” your blog posts my Google page rank for better search engine traffic? {fabulous}
If you upload at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL into your Tip Junkie craft room, you’ll be in business!
{wink} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
What a cute name! Looks delicious. Pinning for later 🙂 Thanks for stopping by our Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party. Hope to see you this wednesday night at 8:30 PM EST. -Doree
I love quick and simple desserts. Angel food cake, strawberries and pineapple…..yum!
Sounds easy to make and looks delicious!
I love anything that is quick and easy to throw together. This dessert looks perfect and sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing with Creative Spark Link Party. Sharing on our facebook page today and pinned for later.
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
Yummy what a delicious idea for a potluck. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo
This looks so good! It would be so easy to make for my next work potluck!
It is really easy to make, Emily! And the best part is how delicious it is. Good potluck recipes can be so hard to find.
This looks and sounds delish!! I need to create this
Marti
Great idea for a potluck…sounds so good! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!
When you said thin mints and key lime pie I knew this was going to be delicious! I wish I would have seen this sooner, tomorrow is my husband’s birthday! I MIGHT still make it…at least sometime this weekend. Thank you so much!
Happy Birthday to your Hubby! I am sure you (and Dylan) will make it a blast! Can’t wait to read that post.
This looks scrumptious!! I would be that one that ate it half gone before realizing it, for sure.
Thanks for sharing!
This looks so good! Yummy! Thanks for sharing!