Poke Cake is a delightful dessert that’s as simple to make as it is delicious. This cake is perfect for busy days when you need something sweet but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The beauty of Poke Cake lies in its versatility; you can customize it with various flavors and toppings to suit your taste or the occasion.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 320
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fat: 15 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 250 mg
Why Make Poke Cake
Poke Cake is exceptionally versatile, making it a great option for any gathering. You can experiment with various fillings, flavors, and toppings to create a cake that fits your event perfectly. Additionally, this dessert’s moistness and flavor develop beautifully when chilled, allowing you to prepare it a day in advance. It’s also a crowd-pleaser, ensuring your guests will love every bite of its creamy and flavorful layers.
How to Make Poke Cake Step by Step
Ingredients
1 box vanilla (white) cake mix
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
8 tablespoons butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
2 teaspoons half and half
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
5.1 ounces instant banana-flavored pudding
3 1/2 cups whole milk
2 to 3 bananas, thinly sliced
8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
12 vanilla wafers, for garnish
1 cup eggnog
3/4 cup salted sweet cream butter, melted
3 large eggs
3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
15.25 ounce box red velvet cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
6.8 ounces cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix
10 to 12 drops green food coloring
16 ounces whipped topping, thawed
3 cups mini marshmallows
1/4 cup red M&M’s
1/4 cup green M&M’s
Red sprinkles
1 box butter yellow cake mix
6.8 ounces (2 x 3.4-ounce boxes) instant vanilla pudding
4 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 egg whites
1 1/2 cups Ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups Mascarpone cheese
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional for dusting)
2 cups shredded coconut
15 ounces cream of coconut
16 ounces Cool Whip
1/2 cup canola oil
14 ounces caramel sauce
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
16 ounces chocolate fudge frosting
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
Good quality chocolate sauce and caramel sauce for garnish
Directions
- Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package.
- For the fillings and frostings, combine the corresponding ingredients in separate bowls and blend until smooth.
- Assemble the poke cake by poking holes in the baked cake and pouring filling into the holes.
- Frost with prepared frosting and add garnishes as suggested in the recipes.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and enjoy each variant of the poke cake!
How to Serve Poke Cake
Poke Cake is an excellent dessert for family gatherings or celebrations. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a sprinkling of fresh berries for added flavor. You can also serve it alongside a light salad for a refreshing meal contrast.
How to Store Poke Cake
You can store Poke Cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure it’s covered well to retain its moisture. If you’d like to freeze it, wrap it tightly and it can last for up to 2 months. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Expert Tips for Cooking Poke Cake
- Make sure to poke the holes fairly deep for better absorption of the filling.
- Use different flavored instant puddings for unique twists on this classic dessert.
- Experiment with seasonal fruits for garnishing and additional flavor.
Delicious Variations of Poke Cake
- Add citrus zest and juice to the batter for a zesty twist.
- Create a spiced version by adding pumpkin pie spice to your vanilla cake mix.
- Use chocolate cake for a rich dessert and fill it with raspberry or strawberry puree.
Conclusion
Give Poke Cake a try for your next dessert. Its flavor, simplicity, and versatility will make it a favorite among family and friends. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how it transforms into a show-stopping dessert!
Poke Cake
Ingredients
Cake Mix
- 1 box vanilla (white) cake mix
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1 box butter yellow cake mix
Pudding and Fillings
- 5.1 ounces instant banana-flavored pudding
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 6.8 ounces cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix
- 6.8 ounces 2 x 3.4-ounce boxes of instant vanilla pudding
Liquids and Eggs
- 1 cup water for the cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil for the cake mix
- 3 large eggs for the cake mix
- 3 1/2 cups whole milk for pudding preparation
- 1 cup eggnog
Frosting and Toppings
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 16 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Miscellaneous
- 15.25 ounces caramel sauce
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup red M&M’s
- 1/4 cup green M&M’s
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 16 ounces chocolate fudge frosting
- 14 ounces cream of coconut
- 10 to 12 drops green food coloring
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional for dusting)
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package.
- For the fillings and frostings, combine the corresponding ingredients in separate bowls and blend until smooth.
Assembly
- Assemble the poke cake by poking holes in the baked cake and pouring filling into the holes.
- Frost with prepared frosting and add garnishes as suggested in the recipes.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and enjoy each variant of the poke cake!
