This indulgent poke cake is a celebration of everything rich and sweet: moist butter pecan cake, creamy caramel sauce that soaks into every bite, and a luscious praline topping with toasted pecans. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast at every gathering!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories per Serving: ~470 kcal
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cake:
🍰 1 box butter pecan cake mix (15.25 oz)
🥚 3 large eggs
🥛 1 cup milk
🛢️ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
🧈 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional for extra crunch)
For the Poke Filling:
🍬 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
🍯 1 jar (12 oz) caramel topping
For the Frosting:
🧁 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
🍮 1/2 cup caramel topping
🥄 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
🌰 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the Cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13″ baking dish. Prepare cake mix with eggs, milk, and oil according to package directions. Fold in chopped pecans if using. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2️⃣ Poke & Soak:
While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over the top using the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, then drizzle the caramel topping evenly. Let cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for 1 hour.
3️⃣ Make the Frosting:
In a bowl, mix the whipped topping, caramel topping, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread evenly over the cooled cake.
4️⃣ Top It Off:
Sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans. Drizzle with a little more caramel for that wow factor.
5️⃣ Chill & Serve:
Chill at least 1 more hour before slicing for clean pieces. Enjoy every buttery bite!
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 😋 Moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture from the poke filling
- 🌰 Buttery pecan flavor in every creamy, dreamy layer
- 🍮 Loaded with caramel and praline richness
- 👌 Easy to make with shortcut ingredients but tastes 100% homemade!
💡 Helpful Tips
- Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 5 minutes for deeper flavor.
- For an even richer flavor, use dulce de leche instead of caramel topping.
- Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days — it gets better the longer it sits!
- Want extra wow? Add a scoop of butter pecan ice cream on the side.
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