Banana Pudding Poke Cake
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Banana pudding poke cake is a deliciously moist cake made with banana pudding, whipped topping, and fresh bananas!
This easy banana pudding poke cake is just what your next party needs! Serve it with other favorites like strawberry lemonade jello shots, white chocolate covered oreos, and stuffed celery.
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Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Banana Pudding Poke Cake
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Why you’ll love this delicious poke cake recipe!
📌 Perfect for a party!
📌 Full of creamy rich banana flavor.
📌 Moist, delicious, and super simple to make.
Banana Pudding Poke Cake Ingredients
- Cake mix – Box cake mix, prepared per package directions. Yellow cake mix is pictured, white can also be used. You can absolutely use a homemade cake recipe as well!
- Pudding – Instant banana cream pudding.
- Milk – Cold whole milk.
- Whipped topping – Like Cool Whip, thawed.
- Cookies – Vanilla wafers.
- Bananas – Ripe bananas, sliced.
How do you make a banana pudding poke cake? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, prepare and bake the yellow cake mix according to package directions. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
⭐ Next, while the cake is cooling, whisk together instant pudding mix and the milk until it has thickened.
⭐ Then, poke several holes in the cake and spread the pudding evenly over the top of the cake, pressing gently over the holes you made in order to fill them. Chill.
⭐ Finally, pread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the pudding, then sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafers all over. If desired, garnish with sliced banana immediately before serving.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What kind of frosting for banana pudding poke cake?
This recipe calls for layer of instant banana pudding followed by a layer of Cool Whip, but you could also use classic vanilla frosting, cream cheese frosting, or even this brown sugar cream cheese frosting!
Can you make banana pudding poke cake ahead of time?
You can make the cake ahead of time, but for best results wait to ice it and add garnishes until immediately before serving.
What should you use to poke the holes?
A fork works great for making the holes in your poke cake, but if you want larger holes or your cake is deeper than the prongs of a fork, try using a chop stick or skewer. Even a knife would work in a pinch.
Storage and leftovers
Do you have to refrigerate the leftovers?
Leftover banana pudding poke cake should be refrigerated for best results. Otherwise the cool whip may become runny and unappetizing.
How long do leftovers last?
The leftover cake will last in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days. Keep tightly covered with a lid, plastic wrap, or foil.
Can you freeze poke cake?
To freeze the cake you will want to do so before applying the icing and garnishes. Allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least an hour and then transfer it to the freezer in a covered freezer-safe container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before topping.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Make a double batch in your roasting pan for a big party!
✅ For extra flavor and texture, try baking a blended ripe banana directly into the cake.
✅ Try swapping the vanilla wafers for golden oreos.
What to eat with banana pudding poke cake (serving suggestions)
Enjoy this yummy poke cake recipe after an awesome meal of Hawaiian meatballs, peanut butter ramen, or slow cooker cube steak.
More delicious banana recipes
- Peanut butter banana bread
- Banana pudding cookies
- Banana bread pudding
- Classic banana pudding recipe
- Banana muffins
- See all our banana recipes!
Other awesome cake recipes
- Snickerdoodle cake
- Lemon poke cake
- S’mores ice box cake
- Pineapple bundt cake
- Texas sheet cake recipe
- Pumpkin spice bundt cake
- Classic chocolate cake recipe
- See all our easy cake recipes!
More recipes made with cake mix
- Strawberry lemonade cookies
- Apple dump cake cobbler
- Chocolate sprinkle cookies
- Cranberry upside down cake
- Whole orange cake
- Donuts with cake mix
- Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe
- See all our recipes made with cake mix!
Other awesome recipes made with pudding
- Pumpkin pie pudding shots
- Cookie salad recipe
- Pineapple fluff
- Quick lemon mousse
- See all our recipes made with instant pudding!
Tools we love
- Glass casserole dish – I love when a dish comes with a lid. Perfect for popping leftovers in the fridge.
- Banana pudding mix – Make sure it’s the instant version (no-cook) for this recipe!
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How to Make Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix + ingredients designated on package prepared per package directions
- 2 packages instant banana cream pudding 3.4 ounces each
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping (like cool whip) thawed
- 12 vanilla wafers crushed
- ripe bananas optional
Instructions
- Pour cake batter into a prepared 9x13" casserole dish. Bake according to package directions, then set aside to cool for at least 5 minutes.
- While cake is cooling, whisk together the two packages of instant pudding mix and the milk until it has thickened. Using a chopstick or the back of a wooden utensil, poke several holes in the cake
- Spread the pudding evenly over the top of the cake, pressing gently over the holes to fill them. Chill the cake in the fridge for about 2 hours, until completely cooled.
- Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the pudding, then sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafers all over.
- If desired, top with sliced bananas immediately before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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I could eat this every day all day!
My kids ask for this pudding cake every chance they get! So delicious and easy to make. Its a keeper for sure!
This banana poke cake is so refreshing and delightful! The pudding tasted sooo good and love the texture of the cake! Fresh banana on top is a brilliant idea! I will definitely make this again.
Everything about this is perfection!! Such a fun cake and my whole family devoured it.