Moist, creamy, filled with gooey cream cheese pudding and topped with cream cheese frosting.
So what i a “poke cake” you ask? well it’s pretty simple.. You bake your cake, then poke a bunch of holes in it, and pour pudding or condensed milk over the top ( so it soaks into the cake and makes it all moist and sweet and sticky and amazing). Then smother the top with frosting, because we can’t have all those holes showing, now can we?
I’ve been meaning to make a poke cake for a while now but have been putting it off for a while. I decided to make this cake for valentines day because whats better than a moist red velvet cake topped with yummy cream cheese frosting! I was going to make this cake from scratch but I’ve been very busy this week (I’m sure most of you are as well ), so I opted in for the box mix. It just makes life a little bit easier.
After baking the cake I pour the cream cheese pudding mixture over it and gave it a few minutes to settle in there. It gives the cake an amazing moist texture! Then I frosted the cake and well you know where it goes from there.. let’s just say I had more than a few bites 😀 This red velvet is truly mouth watering. They don’t call it red velvet for nothing, that’s for sure!
Ingredients
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- For the Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 ounces butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- For the Filling
- 1 box instant Cheesecake or vanilla flavored pudding
- 2.5 cups milk
Instructions
- Heat Oven to 350 degrees. Mix the cake as directed on the box, pour into a greased 9x9 or 13x9 baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. remove the cake from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Poke cake with the bottom of a wooden mixing spoon.
- To make the pudding
- While the cake is baking we are going to prepare our pudding batter. In a medium bowl, prepare instant pudding with milk, whisking until all the lumps are gone. The batter should be runny so that it can absorb into the cake. Pour pudding over cake. Making sure to get right into the holes as much pudding as possible. Cover and put in the refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes.
- Frosting
- While the cake is in the fridge we are going to prepare the cream cheese frosting. This can be done by hand or using a stand mixer. If using a mixer, in a medium bowl whip the cream cheese and butter for 4-5 minutes on high, lower the speed to medium and add the sugar and vanilla and continue whipping for 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides while whipping.
- If you are whipping by hand cream the cream cheese and butter for 3-5 minutes, add the sugar and vanilla and whip for another 5 minutes.
- Remove cake from the fridge and frost with the cream cheese frosting. Cut into squares and serve cold. Enjoy!
Post has milk as ingredient but photo shows whipping cream. Which is it?
I’m a poke cake addict, and this looks fantastic!! 🙂
I’ve never made a Poke cake before, sounds quite tasty. Thanks for sharing! Now I need some cake 😀
Ohhhhh man! I’m such a fan of red velvet cake! And the whole poking holes in the cake and filling it with pudding… that sound absolutely amazing!!! The cake must be super moist and decadent! Must try!
Thanks, Chris! You should try it, it’s super fluffy and moist!
How is it that I’ve never tried to bake one of these??? It sounds amazing! Look at that frosting, I definitely need to cover every single thing that I come across in that creamy goodness.
Love. This.
Thanks, Consuelo! Let me know when you try one of these poke cakes!
This is so fun! I grew up eating jello poke cakes, but haven’t ever tried any other varieties. Obviously I need to change that, because this looks incredible!
Thank you, Elizabeth! Now I need to try the Jello Poke Cake. I’m assuming you fill the holes with Jello.
it is moist, creamy and very, very, very delicious and fluffy, i love it
It is such a great idea! I look forward to baking a cake and poking it!
This cake looks incredible Layla! Love the pretty color and Red Velvet is so perfect for Valentine’s a Day:)
You are right, red velvet is like the perfect Valentines day cake!
Gorgeous looking cake! Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks, Julia!
Red Velvet Cake is one of my favorite things everrrr! This looks incredible…wish I had a big piece of it for dessert right now 🙂
I love poke cakes but never had a red velvet one. This looks crazy good, I may just have to bake one up tonight!
Thank you, Shannon! Do let me know if you like it!
I want to poke all my cakes now! Great idea, Layla! 🙂 ela
haha!! Imagine! Don’t go overboard, Ela. Thanks! 😀
cannot believe I am JUST learning about poke cake but damn am I excited!! great step by step pics!
Christine, You are not alone! When I first found out about them I was so happy and tried lots of different flavors. You can do this with just about any flavor.
I bet this cake is so moist and full of flavor. Yum! I love red velvet, it’s my favorite flavor. Perfect for valentines day : )
Red Velvet is on of my favorite flavors as well! Thanks, Natalie! 🙂
Oh my oh my. I can practically taste this cake melting in my mouth! Love that super fluff frosting too.
Thanks Erin! It does melt in your mouth! 😀
I was just thinking about making a red velvet poke cake this weekend! Yours looks amazing!
What a coincidence! It’s always like that with my friends, we usually make something at the same time without knowing! Let me know how your comes out Christin!