Pumpkin Poke Cake

Pumpkin Poke Cake - Moist and flavorful pumpkin poke cake baked to perfection and topped with a sweet and irresistible brown sugar frosting.

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The air is getting colder, and that can only mean one thing! Pumpkin season is in full swing! This easy Pumpkin Poke Cake recipe is loaded with delicious pumpkin flavor, which means it’s basically Fall in a cake!

This recipe is surprisingly simple to make and it tastes absolutely incredible! With the moist pumpkin spice cake and the creamy brown sugar frosting, this recipe is definitely a fall staple!

Get ready to indulge in deliciousness because you’re not going to want to miss out on this perfect autumn treat!

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN POKE CAKE

Before you get started, make sure you have the following ingredients:

• Spice cake mix 
• Pumpkin puree 
• Milk 
• Pumpkin pie spice 
• Sweetened condensed milk 
• Heavy whipping cream 
• Brown sugar 
• Vanilla

BAKING THE POKE CAKE

Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, preheat the oven to 350ºF, then follow the steps below for a scrumptious fall treat!

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, milk, and pumpkin pie spice.
2. Beat the batter until smooth. 
3. Transfer the cake batter to a greased 7x11-inch baking dish. 
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then, allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes. 

PREPARING THE POKE CAKE

1. Poke holes all over the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Be sure to poke all the way to the bottom. 
2. Pour sweetened condensed milk into all the holes.
3. Allow the cake to sit and "soak" for 2 hours. 

MAKING THE POKE CAKE FROSTING

1. To prepare frosting, put heavy whipping cream, brown sugar, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. 
2. Beat with an electric mixer for several minutes until soft peaks form. 
3. Spread frosting over cake.
4. Sprinkle the cake with a little cinnamon, slice and enjoy!

TIPS FOR MAKING A FALL POKE CAKE

• Avoid using pumpkin pie filling as a substitute for pumpkin puree in your recipe because it's pre-sweetened and spiced, which can affect the flavor and texture of your cake. It also has a thinner and runnier consistency that won't yield the desired results.
• If it seems as if your pumpkin puree is watery, be sure to drain it before mixing it with the other ingredients. 

   

• If you don’t have spice cake mix, white cake mix will also work for this recipe. You can enhance the flavor by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to replicate the spiced taste.

   

• If your cake is too soggy, place it back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes until it is fully cooked.
  
• Be sure to evenly space the holes in your cake so that the sweetened condensed milk can be evenly distributed. 

WHAT IS A POKE CAKE?

A poke cake is made by poking holes in a baked cake and filling them with a liquid or sauce, resulting in a moist and flavorful dessert.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU LET A POKE CAKE SIT BEFORE SERVING?

You should typically let a poke cake chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 4 hours, or even overnight, before serving.

This allows the flavors to meld and the cake to fully absorb the filling for the best taste and texture.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO STORE PUMPKIN POKE CAKE?

The cake can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 5-7 days. It can be gently warmed in the microwave before serving.

CAN YOU FREEZE POKE CAKE?

To freeze pumpkin poke cake, simply store it in the freezer without frosting or toppings for up to 3 months, and when ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and add the frosting before serving.

MORE DELICIOUS PUMPKIN DESSERTS YOU'LL LOVE

• Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin Bread With Cinnamon Streusel Topping
• Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Crisp
• Cheesecake Pumpkin Pie
• Dump Cake
• Mug Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Cake Bars