Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist cinnamon-swirl poke cake with gooey brown sugar pockets and cream cheese frosting—perfect for brunch or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup milk
04 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Filling
06 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - Combine cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface.
03 - Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
04 - While the cake bakes, mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter until a smooth, thick paste forms.
05 - Remove the cake from the oven when baked. Immediately use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the surface, about one inch apart.
06 - Carefully spoon or drizzle the cinnamon filling over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into the poked holes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
07 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until fluffy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla, mixing until a creamy frosting forms.
08 - Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into portions and serve.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The cinnamon sugar pockets bake up into surprise bites no bakery roll can touch.
- It&aposs a fuss-free shortcut to nostalgic comfort and disappears quickly at family gatherings.
02 -
- Don&apost wait for the cake to cool before poking – the hotter the better for gooey pockets.
- Once I tried to frost too soon, and the icing slid right off; now I let it cool with a window wide open.
03 -
- Cover leftovers tightly to keep the cake ultra-moist for days.
- Never skip sifting your powdered sugar for irresistibly smooth frosting.