Description
Sweet Southern charm meets dessert perfection in this banana pudding poke cake, blending creamy pudding layers with moist vanilla cake. Creamy, nostalgic, and irresistibly delicious, you’ll find this classic treat melts in your mouth with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Eggs (as per box instructions)
- Vegetable oil (as per box instructions)
- Water (as per box instructions)
Pudding and Filling:
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant banana pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping
Toppings and Garnish:
- 1 cup vanilla wafers, crushed
- 2 bananas, sliced
Instructions
- Craft the base by mixing and baking yellow cake according to package directions in a 9 x 13-inch pan at recommended temperature. Allow cake to cool until slightly warm.
- Create deep punctures across the entire cake surface using a wooden spoon handle, ensuring holes are wide enough for pudding absorption.
- Whisk banana pudding mix with milk until completely smooth, eliminating any potential lumps in the mixture.
- Generously drench the cake with prepared pudding, carefully guiding the liquid into each created hole using a spatula to distribute evenly.
- Refrigerate the pudding-infused cake for minimum 2 hours, allowing the dessert to set and flavors to meld completely.
- Layer whipped topping across the entire cake surface, creating a soft, creamy blanket.
- Garnish with crushed vanilla wafers and delicate banana slices, adding texture and visual appeal to the dessert.
- Slice into precise squares and serve chilled for optimal flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is slightly warm when poking holes, allowing pudding to penetrate deeper and create more moisture.
- Crush vanilla wafers just before adding to maintain their crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
- For a lighter version, substitute instant pudding with sugar-free mix and use low-fat whipped topping to reduce calories.
- Consider preparing the cake a day ahead, as overnight chilling intensifies the banana flavor and allows pudding to fully absorb into the cake layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg