20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes You’ll Love
You’ll love these 20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes made with simple boxed cake mixes. These poke cakes are delicious, easy, and perfect for parties!
20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for an easy poke cake recipe? Today I’m sharing 20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes with absolutely delicious poke cakes made simple with a boxed cake mix.
From classics like strawberry jello poke cake and banana pudding poke cake, to indulgent chocolate lover poke cakes, there’s a poke cake recipe for everyone on this list.
Give one of these easy poke cakes a try for your next party, gathering, or special occasion, and they’re sure to please.
Poke Cake FAQ’s
What is a Poke Cake?
A poke cake (also sometimes called a poke and pour cake) is a cake that has holes poked in it after baking and is covered with a liquid such as pudding, jello, or whipped cream.
The filling then seeps down into the poked holes creating a deliciously moist and flavorful cake.
Where did poke cake originate?
Although it might seem newer, poke cakes have actually been around since the 1970’s and have always been a popular and affordable cake choice since most poke cake recipes are made with a boxed cake mix, pudding and/or Jello, and whipped cream.
Why is it called poke cake?
Because it’s a cake that has holes poked in it after baking.
Tips for Making Poke Cakes
Make in a cake pan with a lid
Since poke cakes need to be covered/stored in the fridge, I recommend using these 9×13 cake pans.
The lid makes them super handy for storage and traveling.
What to poke a poke cake with?
I recommend using a wooden spoon handle for poking holes since it’s the perfect size.
When to poke holes in poke cake?
I typically like to wait 30 minutes – 1 hour before poking holes in the poke cake.
This allows the cake time to cool after baking.
I’ve found this is the sweet spot with poking holes since doing it too soon or waiting too long can cause the cake to tear into pieces.
Tip: If you’re in a hurry, place your cake covered in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before poking holes.
Can poke cake be made ahead of time?
Yes, and I recommend it!
Poke cakes are best when made a day ahead or at least several hours in advance, since it allows the cake’s filling plenty of time to firm up and soak into the cake.
I personally like to make the cake the night before a party or gathering, which creates a perfectly moist and delicious cake.
What’s the best boxed cake mix?
My personal favorite box cake mixes is Betty Crocker Super Moist or Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist.
How can I make boxed cake mix better?
Check out my helpful guide over here with tips/tricks for making better cakes with box cake mix.
Do you have more boxed cake recipes?
Yes! I have a ton of delicious cake mix desserts and cake mix cookie recipes.
Check out some of my most popular cake mix cakes below:
- Best Sock it To Me Cake
- Crushed Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Strawberry Pineapple Cake
- Cake Mix Coffee Cake
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Poke Cakes Storage Instructions
Should poke cake be refrigerated?
Yes. Poke cakes should always be stored in the fridge since they are filled with dairy-based fillings such as puddings, custards, Jello-O, and/or whipped cream.
Can poke cake be frozen?
Yes, poke cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months.
I recommend freezing in a freezer safe container and/or covering tightly with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil.
How long does poke cake last?
When properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, poke cakes will remain fresh for up 3 days.
I personally love to use these 9×13 cake pans, since they come with a lid.
Poke Cakes Troubleshooting
Why is my poke cake soggy?
Poke cakes in general are quite moist because of their fillings.
That said, if your cake is soggy, it’s more than likely due to poking too many holes too closely together.
When poking holes, make sure to space them evenly apart (I recommend at least 1 inch apart) and avoid poking too many holes to prevent sogginess.
Why is my cake tearing apart when I try to poke holes?
This is likely because your cake is still too warm from baking. Make sure you allow the cake time to cool before attempting to poke holes.
If you’re in a hurry, you can put your cake in the freezer for 15 minutes or so, then poke the holes to prevent tearing.
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20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes from a Cake Mix
Grab a 9×13 cake pan, a wooden spoon, a boxed cake mix, and try some easy and delicious poke cake recipes below!
Be sure and pin any of the recipes you want to save for later.
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
- Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
- Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake
- Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake
- Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake
- Pineapple Poke Cake
- Mixed Berry Poke Cake
- White Raspberry Poke Cake
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Key Lime Poke Cake
- Chocolate Poke Cake
- Death By Chocolate Poke Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
- Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake
- Boston Cream Poke Cake
- Better Than Anything Poke Cake
- Oreo Poke Cake
- Butter Pecan Poke Cake
- Pumpkin Poke Cake
Take banana pudding to the next level with this delicious poke cake! It has all the flavors of classic banana pudding in cake form.
If you love cinnamon rolls, then this is the poke cake for you! It has swirls of cinnamon sugar filling and a delicious cream cheese frosting.
This delicious 5-ingredient strawberry poke cake will be your absolute favorite! It’s made quick and easy with a strawberry jello filling.
This cake combines the delicious flavors of strawberries and cream with a layer of golden Oreos on top for an added crunch. So yummy!
This strawberry poke cake features a layer of toasted coconut on top for extra flavor. It’s perfect for summer!
This Hawaiian poke cake is the BEST poke cake for all your summer gatherings. Pineapple and coconut are a match made in heaven.
With a buttery cake, a pineapple vanilla filling, and a pineapple topping, you’re sure to love this delicious tropical poke cake.
This mixed berry poke cake is not only delicious but a total show-stopper for your next party. So pretty and yummy!
This delicious cake has all the flavors of a traditional wedding cake, but is even easier to make with a simple boxed cake mix and raspberry pie filling.
If you want a cake that is bursting with lemon flavor, this is it. It’s made quick and easy with simple ingredients and is so delicious.
If you’re a chocolate lover you need this decadent and delicious poke cake in your life. It has triple the chocolate!
This chocolate cake is filled with gooey caramel sauce and topped with extra chocolate for a simple and delicious treat.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
Who can resist the delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter? This poke cake is filled with the best peanut butter sauce and is perfect for serving at parties.
This cake is soaked with a gooey caramel sauce and layered with chocolate pudding and caramel whipped cream for a moist and decadent chocolate cake you’ll love.
This poke cake tastes just like the famous New England pie but in delicious and easy cake form!
Better Than Anything Poke Cake
This perfectly gooey chocolate cake is better than anything you’ll ever try! It’s also super simple to make.
Cookies and cream lovers will obsess over this delicious and easy Oreo poke cake. It’s always a great choice for parties.
Try this easy poke cake for your next potluck! The butter pecan sauce is so simple to make and adds so much flavor.
You’ll want to make this yummy pumpkin poke cake every Fall! Cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce take it to over the top deliciousness.
More Cake Mix Recipes/Tips:
I hope you enjoyed today’s roundup of 20 Easy Poke Cake Recipes You’ll Love! Which of these poke cake recipes is your favorite?
Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by! – Cara