Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Banana pudding and cake are two classic desserts that, when combined, create an irresistible treat: the Banana Pudding Poke Cake. This dessert has become increasingly popular for its rich flavors, simple preparation, and nostalgic appeal. It’s a perfect balance of moist cake, creamy banana pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafers—creating a dessert that’s as delicious as it is comforting. Whether you’re serving this cake at a family gathering, potluck, or just making it for fun, it’s sure to be a hit.

Jump to Recipe

This recipe starts with a basic yellow cake mix, but what makes it stand out are the holes poked throughout the cake, allowing the banana pudding to seep in, creating a moist, flavorful base. The whipped topping adds a light, airy finish, while the crushed vanilla wafers provide a satisfying crunch. Let’s walk through the steps to create this show-stopping dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Poke Cake

1. Easy to Make: The cake uses a boxed yellow cake mix, so you won’t need to worry about measuring out the dry ingredients from scratch. The pudding mix is instant, making the process even quicker.
2. Great for Feeding a Crowd: This is a 9×13 cake, making it perfect for serving at parties, picnics, or any gathering where you need a dessert that can feed multiple people.
3. Kid-Friendly: The flavors of banana, pudding, and vanilla wafers are kid-approved. Plus, children will love helping to poke the holes in the cake, making it a fun family activity.
4. Nostalgic and Comforting: Banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert, and this poke cake version offers a modern twist that will remind many of childhood gatherings or Sunday family dinners.

Ingredient Breakdown

Cake Base

1. Yellow Cake Mix (1 box): This boxed cake mix forms the base of the dessert. It’s light, fluffy, and moist, with a neutral flavor that allows the banana pudding to shine. Follow the instructions on the box for mixing and baking the cake. You’ll typically need eggs, oil, and water to prepare the mix.
2. Eggs, Oil, and Water: These ingredients are standard in most cake mixes and are essential for making the cake moist and tender.

Pudding Layer

1. Instant Banana Pudding (2 packages, 3.4 ounces each): This layer is the heart of the cake. The banana pudding adds a sweet and creamy banana flavor that soaks into the cake, creating a luscious, moist texture.
2. Milk (4 cups): The milk is used to make the pudding. By whisking the instant pudding mix with milk, you get a creamy and smooth consistency that’s easy to pour over the cake.

Topping

1. Frozen Whipping Cream (1 jar, 8 ounces, thawed): The whipped topping is spread over the cake once it’s cooled. It adds a light, fluffy texture that balances the rich, dense cake and pudding layers.
2. Vanilla Wafers (20 pieces, crushed): These provide the perfect crunchy topping for the cake. The vanilla wafers are reminiscent of classic banana pudding, making this poke cake feel nostalgic and comforting.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

Start by preheating your oven according to the instructions on the yellow cake mix box. Typically, you’ll want to set your oven to 350°F (175°C), but always check the box for exact temperatures and times.

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package, combining the eggs, oil, and water with the cake mix. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour the cake batter into the dish. Bake the cake according to the package instructions, usually for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once the cake is fully baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. You want the cake to be warm, but not hot, when you start poking the holes.

Step 2: Poke Holes in the Cake

While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon, spatula, or another similar tool to poke holes across the surface of the cake. Make sure to poke the holes all the way to the bottom of the cake. The holes should be large enough for the banana pudding to seep into them and fill the cake with flavor.

The more evenly you distribute the holes, the better the pudding will absorb into the cake, making each bite moist and flavorful.

Step 3: Prepare the Banana Pudding

In a mixing bowl, combine the two packages of instant banana pudding with 4 cups of milk. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and free of lumps. It should thicken slightly as you stir.

Once the pudding is ready, pour it over the cake, aiming to get as much of the pudding as possible into the holes. The pudding will naturally spread out over the cake, but you can use the back of a spoon to gently push the pudding into the holes to ensure that it seeps deep into the cake.

This step is crucial for creating the moist, pudding-soaked texture that makes poke cakes so special.

Step 4: Refrigerate the Cake

Once the pudding has been poured over the cake and evenly spread, place the cake in the refrigerator. Allow the cake to chill for at least two hours, or until it is completely cooled.

Chilling the cake helps the pudding set and firm up, and it allows the flavors to meld together, making each bite taste even better.

Step 5: Add the Whipped Topping

Once the cake has fully cooled, it’s time to add the whipped topping. Spread the thawed whipped cream over the entire surface of the cake, creating a smooth, even layer. The whipped cream adds a light, airy texture that complements the rich pudding and cake layers.

Step 6: Crush and Add the Vanilla Wafers

Now for the finishing touch: the crushed vanilla wafers. To crush the wafers, place them in a plastic zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to gently crush them into small pieces. Don’t crush them too finely—you want some larger chunks to add texture to the top of the cake.

Once the wafers are crushed, sprinkle them generously over the whipped topping. The wafers will add a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cake.

If you prefer your vanilla wafers to stay extra crunchy, you can add them just before serving the cake. This ensures that they maintain their crisp texture, even after the cake has been refrigerated.

Serving Suggestions

When it’s time to serve the Banana Pudding Poke Cake, make sure to cut generous slices that reach all the way to the bottom of the cake. This way, each slice will include a bit of cake, pudding, whipped topping, and crushed vanilla wafers in every bite.

This dessert is best served cold, so be sure to keep any leftovers refrigerated.

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Tips for Success

1. Use a Wooden Spoon for Poking Holes: The handle of a wooden spoon works well for poking holes in the cake because it’s large enough to create good-sized holes without tearing the cake apart.
2. Don’t Skimp on the Pudding: When pouring the pudding over the cake, make sure to pour slowly and aim for the holes. This ensures the pudding gets deep into the cake, creating that signature poke cake texture.
3. Whipped Topping Alternatives: If you want to make your own whipped cream instead of using store-bought whipped topping, you can whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This will give the cake an even fresher taste.
4. Add Bananas: For an extra banana flavor, you can layer slices of fresh banana between the pudding and the whipped topping. This adds a fresh, fruity element to the dessert.
5. Make Ahead: This cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert. In fact, the flavors develop even more as the cake sits in the refrigerator, so making it a day ahead is a great option if you’re preparing for a party or gathering.

Variations and Customizations

While the classic Banana Pudding Poke Cake is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize the recipe to suit your taste:

1. Chocolate Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Swap out the yellow cake mix for a chocolate cake mix, and you’ll have a rich, chocolatey version of the banana pudding poke cake. The combination of chocolate and banana is always a winner!

2. Banana Caramel Poke Cake

Add a layer of caramel sauce on top of the pudding for an extra indulgent twist. The caramel adds a sweet, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the banana pudding.

3. Nutty Banana Pudding Cake

For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the whipped cream, along with the crushed vanilla wafers.

4. Gluten-Free Version

To make this dessert gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free vanilla wafers. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt this recipe for those with dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

The Banana Pudding Poke Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining the best elements of banana pudding and cake into one mouth-watering dessert. It’s easy to make, thanks to the use of a boxed cake mix and instant pudding, yet it tastes like a labor of love.