Heavenly Moist Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Autumn’s golden hues inspire the most delectable moist pumpkin poke cake that promises pure comfort.

Warm spices dance through each tender bite of this irresistible dessert.

Creamy layers infused with rich pumpkin flavor create a decadent treat sure to delight every palate.

Soft, delicate cake meets velvety caramel-like drizzles that seep into every delightful crevice.

The subtle blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transforms this simple cake into a seasonal masterpiece.

Topped with billowy whipped cream, this dessert delivers pure indulgence with every forkful.

Prepare to fall in love with a cake that captures the essence of fall in one unforgettable slice.

Prep Tools for the Pumpkin Poke Cake Mission

• Baking pan: Perfect for making this deliciously moist pumpkin cake.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for creating holes in the cake after baking.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for preparing cake batter and combining ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps blend cake batter smoothly.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness by inserting into the center.
• Spatula: Great for spreading whipped topping evenly across the cake.

Let’s Bake That Pumpkin Poke Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Create a cozy baking environment by preheating and spraying a baking dish with nonstick magic.

• Craft the Cake

Blend cake mix with pumpkin puree and a dance of warm spices until smooth and inviting.

• Bake to Perfection

Cook the cake until a toothpick comes out clean, filling your kitchen with autumn’s sweet aroma.

• Create Delicious Holes

Gently poke scattered holes across the cake’s surface using a wooden spoon handle.

• Drench with Sweetness

Drizzle condensed milk or caramel sauce into the holes, letting it seep deeply into the cake’s core.

• Crown with Creamy Topping

Spread a fluffy layer of whipped cream or frosting across the entire cake surface.

• Add Final Flourish

Sprinkle chopped nuts, toffee bits, or a whisper of cinnamon to elevate the cake’s texture and flavor.

• Chill and Anticipate

Refrigerate for an hour, allowing flavors to mingle and the cake to set into a decadent dessert.

Pumpkin Poke Cake Hacks and Flavor Spins

• Prepare the cake a day in advance to let flavors meld and enhance the overall taste, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.
• Swap sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream and use dairy-free whipped topping to create a delicious lactose-free version.
• Adjust the pumpkin pie spice blend to match your taste preferences, from mild to extra warm and aromatic.
• Use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all additional ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with different garnishes like crushed gingersnaps, pecans, or even a drizzle of salted caramel to add unexpected texture and flavor complexity.

Pumpkin Poke Cake: Serving It With Style

• Cozy Family Dessert Night: Serve this warm, gooey pumpkin cake as the star of your next family gathering, creating delightful memories around the table.
• Autumn Potluck Showstopper: Bring this impressive dessert to fall gatherings, where its rich flavors and beautiful presentation will wow your friends and fellow guests.
• Decadent Coffee Pairing: Slice a piece alongside a steaming mug of spiced latte or strong espresso, letting the cake's sweetness complement the robust coffee flavors.
• Make-Ahead Dessert Delight: Prepare this cake the night before your event, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator for an even more delicious treat.

Keeping Pumpkin Poke Cake Fresh and Handy

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the creamy texture and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for maximum 2 months without compromising flavor quality.
• Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften whipped topping and enhance overall taste experience.
• Keep cake consistently chilled between 34-40°F to maintain freshness and prevent potential bacterial growth, ensuring safe and delicious consumption.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for Pumpkin Poke Cake Success

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides the foundational fluffy texture and classic cake flavor, choose a high-quality brand for better taste.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture and rich autumn flavor, select 100% pure pumpkin without added spices or sweeteners.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Boosts warm seasonal notes, look for freshly ground spice blend for maximum aroma.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a decadent, creamy layer that soaks deeply into cake, opt for full-fat version for richness.
• Caramel Sauce: Enhances sweet-sticky texture and adds depth, choose thick, smooth commercial or homemade sauce.

• Whipped Topping: Provides light, creamy crown to the cake, select stabilized whipped cream or whipped topping for better structure.
• Chopped Pecans: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty undertone, toast nuts lightly before sprinkling for enhanced flavor.
• Toffee Bits: Delivers sweet-buttery crackle, use high-quality Heath or Skor brand bits for best results.
• Ground Cinnamon: Offers final aromatic sprinkle, use fresh, fragrant ground cinnamon for finishing touch.

Moist Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich, creamy Pumpkin Poke Cake delivers autumn’s warmest embrace with spiced layers soaked in caramel-like sweetness. Comfort meets indulgence in this irresistible dessert you’ll savor down to the last delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box yellow cake mix (432 g / 15.25 oz)
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 can (425 g / 15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 box (96 g / 3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 container (250 g / 8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)
• ½ cup caramel sauce (optional)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and lavishly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with culinary spray, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Cake Composition: Craft the cake foundation by blending cake mix with luscious pumpkin puree, warm autumnal spices, transforming the ordinary into an extraordinary confection.
3. Baking Transformation: Dispatch the cake into the preheated oven, allowing it to metamorphose for approximately 25-30 minutes until a slender wooden probe emerges pristine when pierced through its core.
4. Textural Engineering: After extracting the golden-hued creation, permit minimal cooling, then strategically perforate the surface using a wooden utensil’s handle, creating channels for delectable infiltration.
5. Moisture Infusion: Generously cascade sweetened condensed milk or amber caramel sauce throughout the perforated landscape, enabling each crevice to absorb the rich, decadent liquid.
6. Creamy Culmination: Drape the cake with billowy whipped topping, smoothing it into an elegant, cloud-like blanket that embraces the pumpkin-spiced foundation.
7. Finishing Flourish: Elegantly crown the dessert with a cascade of chopped pecans, shimmering toffee fragments, or a delicate dusting of warming cinnamon, adding textural intrigue and visual allure.
8. Flavor Maturation: Refrigerate the masterpiece for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop a sublime, cohesive character before serving.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, even cake batter that absorbs liquid perfectly.
• Create deep, consistent holes while the cake is still warm to maximize sauce absorption and prevent cake crumbling.
• Consider adding extra warm spices like nutmeg or ginger to amplify the pumpkin’s natural richness and complexity.
• Swap regular cake mix for gluten-free or low-sugar alternatives to make this dessert suitable for different dietary needs without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg