The Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe

Get ready to wow your taste buds with the best Banana Pudding Poke Cake ever! This fun and delicious treat combines a super moist banana cake with creamy banana pudding that fills every bite with flavor. Topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting and fresh banana slices, it’s a hit at any potluck or party. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, this cake is guaranteed to be the star of the show and keep everyone coming back for seconds. Dive into this crowd-pleasing dessert and watch the smiles appear!

The Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Banana Cake

• ☑ 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ☑ 1½ teaspoons baking powder

• ☑ ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ☑ ½ teaspoon salt

• ☑ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ☑ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

• ☑ ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ☑ 1 cup granulated sugar

• ☑ ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ☑ 2 large eggs

• ☑ 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• ☑ 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar)

• ☑ 3 ripe bananas, mashed

For the Banana Pudding Filling

• ☑ 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes instant banana pudding mix

• ☑ 3½ cups cold whole milk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• ☑ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• ☑ ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ☑ 2½ cups powdered sugar

• ☑ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ☑ 1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed for spreading consistency)

For the Topping

• ☑ 2–3 ripe bananas, sliced

• ☑ Vanilla wafer cookies, whole or crushed (optional)

• ☑ Light sprinkle of ground cinnamon

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Directions

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Set aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.

4. Add the Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and mashed bananas, mixing until well combined.

5. Finish the Batter

Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.

6. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool for 10–15 minutes.

7. Poke the Cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake, pushing nearly to the bottom.

8. Make the Banana Pudding

In a large bowl, whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and cold whole milk for about 2 minutes, until the pudding just begins to thicken.

Immediately pour the pudding evenly over the warm cake. Use a spatula to gently spread the pudding across the top, helping it flow into the holes. Lightly tap the pan on the counter to help the pudding settle.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the pudding is completely set and the cake is thoroughly chilled.

9. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.

Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. If needed, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

10. Frost the Cake

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the chilled cake.

11. Garnish & Serve

Just before serving, arrange the fresh banana slices over the frosting. Sprinkle with crushed or whole vanilla wafer cookies, if desired, and finish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon.

Slice, serve chilled, and enjoy your homemade Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake!

Tips for Success:

Use ripe bananas:

• The riper the bananas, the more flavor they will add to the cake.

Immediate topping:

• Add the sliced bananas just before serving to prevent them from browning.

• Enjoy The Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe with cream cheese frosting!