Strawberry Pina Colada Dessert is a quick and easy dessert that can be dressed up nicely. Though “getting fancy” can take it out of the quick category. There is a trick to making thick desserts look presentable in a clear glass container. Ideally, everything would go in without air bubbles and lay in beautiful layers with no blops, streaks or drips — but little in life seems to go the ideal way. 🙂 I do like these clear glasses for individual servings, though. They are just about the right size for one so they work great for portion control or for buffet serving. Dollar store, folks. So the price is right too.
To keep it quick and easy, you can skip the individual servings. Make a light layer of strawberries and toasted coconut in an 8×8 pan, spread the dessert mixture evenly over them, and top with remaining strawberries and coconut before chilling. Cut into squares before serving. (Tip: when you’ve made the layer of strawberries and coconut on the bottom, run a finger or back of a spoon along the lines where you plan to cut the finished dessert. This will push the fruit toward the center of each planned piece, allowing you to cut and serve more cleanly). OR you can serve this in a graham cracker crust with all the strawberries and coconut on top. With graham cracker crust add 10-15 carbs per serving to the carb count.
Toasting the coconut takes very little time, but adds quite a bit to this recipe. The flavor deepens and the toasty color is a nice contrast with the creamy colored dessert. I usually do extra and keep any leftovers in a small airtight container to add to other dishes. I like to use French vanilla or extra creamy whipped topping when they are available. Do not drain the pineapple – just open the can and dump it all into the mixing bowl. Don’t use the mixer to add the whipped topping as you risk beating the air out of it. Gently fold it in until the mixture is just blended. Keep the dessert light and fluffy, perfect for a spring day!
- 1 package cream cheese, 8 ounces
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 package sugar free vanilla instant pudding, four serving size
- 1 can crushed pineapple, 8 ounces
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 container whipped topping, 8 ounces
- ⅓ cup coconut
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries, plus three large berries for garnish
- Toast coconut by placing in ungreased skillet over medium flame. When coconut begins to show a bit of brown, reduce heat and stir frequently to keep it from burning. When most of the coconut flakes are golden, remove from heat. This takes 5 minutes or less.
- Soften cream cheese by letting set out for an hour at room temperature OR by removing foil wrapper and putting in microwave at 50% for 15 seconds and repeating until soft.
- Beat softened cream and cheese and milk with mixer until smooth and fluffy.
- Add dry pudding mix, vanilla and undrained pineapple. Mix well.
- Gently stir in the whipped topping, reserving about ½ cup for garnish.
- Layer dessert, strawberries and coconut and a second layer of dessert mixture.
- Cover and chill until firm, about three hours. Can chill overnight.
- Garnish with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle on a bit of toasted coconut and add a few sliced strawberries to each serving.
- Six servings or 8-12 mini servings.
I’m so glad you stopped by today! Follow A Pinch of Joy using the icons on the teal bar at the top of the page so you don’t miss a thing! I’d love to have your company on this venture!! Share: if you found this helpful or inspiring please click one of the buttons below! Your support of A Pinch of Joy is appreciated!
Shared with these awesome link parties here
Elvy says
Wow! Looks fantastic! I really must try that..
Elvy recently posted…Äppelsaft – Äpplesaft
Miz Helen says
Hi Charlene,
Your recipe is awesome and thank you so much for sharing it at the table with Full Plate Thursday.
Hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
Oh this looks so good! It looks so pretty too! Trying this weekend:)
Kelly @ The Moon and Me says
Those look soooo yummy! I love them in the individual cups. Very pretty presentation.
Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
Paula says
This looks wonderful, thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays.
I also host Saturday Dishes and this Saturday we’re featuring Strawberry Dishes if you’d like to join the party – http://www.callmepmc.com – we would love to have you there as well ~ Paula
jasmine says
This looks so good, I definitely want try it! yummy
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
Delicious looking! I’m so ready for light fluffy desserts like this 🙂
Jackie says
This looks great! I’m visiting from Totally Tasty Tuesday party. I would love it if you would share this on my site: http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2013/04/tried-and-true-recipes-6.html
Gosia says
Must be really good! Need to try it this week, just bought some strawberries 🙂 Thanks for sharing at SkipToMyLou. Gosia @www.kiddiefoodies.com
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
What a refreshing dessert to celebrate Spring! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
Jenn @ Once Upon a Tier says
Wow, this looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it.
Alison Wood says
WOW!! This looks amazing! I am so trying this when I get some pudding mix from America. I live in SOutheast Asia as a missionary, but maybe I will just make my own pudding:) Pinning this one:)
Visiting from ‘http://www.pintsizedtreasures.com’>Pint-sized Treasures
Cranberry Morning says
That looks amazing! I am longing to taste fresh strawberries. Maybe I can find some for the weekend and make this for Resurrection Sunday dinner dessert. Pinned! (and thanks)