10+ Poke Cake Recipes to Sweeten Your Dessert Game

Poke cakes are a fun and easy way to make a classic dessert more exciting. You start with a regular cake, then poke holes in it to add flavors like Jello, pudding, or syrup.

This method makes the cake moist and full of flavor. Poke cakes are perfect for any occasion.

You don’t need to be a baking expert to enjoy poke cakes. They come in many flavors and can be made with simple ingredients you probably already have.

Whether you want something fruity, creamy, or chocolatey, poke cakes offer lots of tasty options to try.

1) Classic Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake

This classic Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake is simple and fun to make. You start with a white cake mix baked in a pan.

After baking, poke holes all over the cake to let the strawberry Jell-O soak in. The Jell-O adds color and flavor right inside the cake, making it moist and tasty.

Chill the cake after adding Jell-O to set the dessert. Top it with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a nice, light finish.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• Ingredients needed to make the cake (usually eggs, oil, and water)
• 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup cold water
• 1 (8-ounce) tub Cool Whip or whipped cream
• Fresh strawberries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake the cake according to the box instructions at about 350°F (175°C).
2. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then poke holes all over with a fork or skewer.
3. Dissolve the strawberry Jell-O in boiling water. Stir in cold water.
4. Pour the Jell-O mixture evenly over the cake, filling the holes.
5. Refrigerate the cake for a few hours until fully set.
6. Spread whipped cream on top and add strawberries before serving.

2) Chocolate Pudding Poke Cake

This chocolate pudding poke cake is simple and tasty. Start with a moist chocolate cake that you bake in a pan.

Once it’s cooled, poke holes all over the cake using a fork or a skewer. Pour creamy chocolate pudding over the cake so it seeps into the holes.

This makes the cake soft and rich with pudding in every bite. Add extras like chocolate chips or whipped cream on top for more flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 package instant chocolate pudding
• 2 cups cold milk (for pudding)
• 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake cake according to package directions at 350°F (175°C).
2. Let cake cool for 10 minutes.
3. Poke holes all over the cake.
4. Prepare pudding with cold milk.
5. Pour pudding slowly over holes in the cake.
6. Chill cake for at least 2 hours.
7. Top with chocolate chips and whipped cream if you like.

3) Lemon Poke Cake with Instant Lemon Pudding

This lemon poke cake is simple to make. Start with a basic lemon cake mix that keeps the cake moist and fluffy.

After baking, poke holes all over the cake to let the lemon pudding soak in. The instant lemon pudding adds a bright, tangy flavor that blends perfectly with the cake.

Top your creation with cool whip to keep it light and creamy. Chill it in the fridge so the pudding sets well.

Ingredients

• 1 package lemon cake mix
• 1 package instant lemon pudding mix (3.4 oz)
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and warm water until smooth.
3. Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. While warm, poke holes all over the cake using a fork or skewer.
6. Prepare lemon pudding according to package instructions.
7. Pour pudding evenly over the cake holes.
8. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
9. Spread whipped topping over the cake before serving.

4) Cherry Almond Poke Cake with Maraschino Cherries

This Cherry Almond Poke Cake is a simple and tasty dessert for any occasion. Start with a cherry-flavored cake mix as the base.

After baking, poke holes in the cake and pour in sweet maraschino cherry syrup. The syrup makes it moist and flavorful.

Add a cool cream cheese and Cool Whip topping for a smooth, creamy layer. A touch of almond extract gives it a nutty flavor.

Maraschino cherries add sweetness and a pretty look on top.

Ingredients

• 1 Betty Crocker Cherry Chip Cake Mix
• 1 cup maraschino cherry syrup
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Cool Whip
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake the cake as directed on the box in a 9 x 13 inch pan at 350°F (175°C).
2. While warm, poke holes all over the cake with a fork or skewer.
3. Pour the maraschino cherry syrup evenly over the cake, letting it soak in.
4. Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, powdered sugar, and almond extract until smooth.
5. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled cake.
6. Garnish with maraschino cherries before serving.

For more details, see Cherry Almond Poke Cake recipes with maraschino cherries.

5) Orange Poke Cake with Lemon Pudding

This orange poke cake is bright and tasty. Start with a lemon or yellow cake mix and bake it in a pan.

Once the cake is done, poke holes all over to pour in orange-flavored Jell-O or pudding. The Jell-O or pudding fills the holes, making the cake moist and flavorful.

Top it with whipped cream or lemon curd for extra sweetness. It’s a fresh, citrusy treat.

Ingredients

• 1 box lemon or yellow cake mix
• 1 box (3-ounce) orange Jell-O or instant orange pudding
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• Whipped cream or lemon curd for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare cake mix as directed on the box.
3. Bake the cake in a greased pan for 25-30 minutes.
4. Let cake cool for 5 minutes.
5. Poke holes all over the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.
6. Mix orange Jell-O or pudding with boiling water until dissolved.
7. Pour the mixture evenly over the cake.
8. Chill for at least 4 hours.
9. Add whipped cream or lemon curd before serving.

6) Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

This cake gives you the flavors of a cinnamon roll without extra steps. Bake a moist vanilla cake and poke holes in it.

Pour a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture into the holes. It soaks in and makes every bite sweet and gooey.

Top the cake with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. This adds a smooth and tangy touch.

It’s a simple way to enjoy cinnamon rolls in cake form.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup Crisco or vegetable shortening
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk or buttermilk (or a mix)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 8 oz cream cheese
• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, eggs, Crisco, sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour batter into a greased pan and bake for 30–35 minutes.
4. Let the cake cool a bit, then poke holes all over with a fork.
5. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, pour it into the holes.
6. Beat cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar for frosting.
7. Spread frosting over the cake once it’s cool.
8. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

For more details, see The Country Cook’s Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake.

7) Vanilla Cake with Instant Vanilla Pudding

You can make a simple poke cake using a white or vanilla cake mix and instant vanilla pudding. This adds extra moisture and flavor.

After baking the cake, poke holes all over it to let the pudding soak in. The pudding makes the cake creamy and soft inside.

You can serve it plain or top it with whipped cream for extra lightness and sweetness. The pudding mix is usually combined with milk, which you pour into the poked holes while the cake is still warm.

Ingredients

• 1 box white or vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients on the box)
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3 to 3.5 oz)
• 1¾ cups milk
• Whipped cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake the cake according to the box instructions.
2. While the cake is warm, use a spoon or skewer to poke holes all over it.
3. Mix the instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk until smooth.
4. Pour the pudding evenly over the cake, filling the holes.
5. Chill the cake in the fridge for a few hours.
6. Top with whipped cream if you like before serving.

8) Cool Whip Topped Poke Cake

This poke cake gets a creamy, light finish from a fluffy layer of Cool Whip. After baking and poking holes in your cake, pour a liquid like pudding or Jello over it.

Spread the Cool Whip on top to seal in moisture and add a smooth, sweet topping. You can use any flavor of pudding or gelatin to soak into your cake.

Each bite is moist and full of flavor. The Cool Whip makes the cake easy to slice and balances the sweet filling inside.

Try adding fresh fruit on top of the Cool Whip for a fresh twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow or strawberry cake mix
• 1 package instant pudding (any flavor)
• 1 cup cold milk (for pudding)
• 1 container Cool Whip (8 oz)
• Optional: fresh fruit for topping

Cooking Instructions:

1. Bake cake according to package directions at 350°F (175°C).
2. While warm, poke holes all over the cake using a skewer or fork.
3. Prepare pudding with cold milk and pour evenly over the holes.
4. Chill cake for at least 1 hour.
5. Spread Cool Whip evenly on top before serving.
6. Add fresh fruit if desired.

9) Super Moist Betty Crocker Poke Cake

This Super Moist Betty Crocker poke cake is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Start with a box of the Super Moist cake mix for a soft, tender texture.

After baking, poke holes all over the cake. Pour your chosen filling or pudding over it.

This step lets the flavors soak in and keeps the cake moist. You can use different flavors like chocolate or strawberry pudding.

Ingredients

• 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ White Cake Mix
• Water, vegetable oil, and egg whites (amounts on cake box)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 box instant pudding (flavor of your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare cake mix with water, oil, and egg whites.
3. Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cake cool slightly, then poke holes all over with a fork.
6. Mix boiling water with pudding mix, stir, and let thicken.
7. Pour pudding evenly over the cake holes.
8. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

10) Jello Poke Cake with Any Flavor

You can make a Jello poke cake with any flavor of Jello you like. Start with a simple white or yellow cake mix.

After baking, poke holes in the cake with a fork or skewer. Pour the prepared Jello over the cake so it soaks into the holes.

This method creates a moist and colorful cake. Top it with whipped cream or Cool Whip for a creamy finish.

Try strawberry, lime, orange, or any flavor you have. This cake is easy and perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 box white or yellow cake mix
• 1 3-ounce box Jello (any flavor)
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup cold water
• 1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip or whipped cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare and bake the cake mix as directed.
3. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes.
4. Poke holes all over the cake using a fork or skewer.
5. Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add cold water.
6. Pour Jello evenly over the cake, filling the holes.
7. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
8. Spread Cool Whip or whipped cream on top before serving.