This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is a moist treat with a delicious buttery flavor and crunchy pecans. It has holes poked in it for your favorite sweet sauce to soak in, making every bite dreamy!
Honestly, it’s hard not to love this cake. The praline flavor just makes it feel like a warm hug! I always serve it with a dollop of whipped cream—so good!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cake Mix: A yellow or butter cake mix is perfect for this recipe, bringing a smooth and rich flavor. If you’re looking for a healthier option, try using a gluten-free cake mix instead.
Pecans: Chopped pecans offer a wonderful crunch. If you don’t have pecans, walnuts work too! But, for the best taste, I recommend sticking with pecans.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is key for soaking the cake. You can use evaporated milk mixed with a bit of sugar if you’re in a pinch, but it won’t be as sweet or rich.
Glaze Ingredients: Powdered sugar is needed for the glaze. If you need a low-sugar option, consider using a sugar-free powdered sugar alternative.
How Do You Get the Perfectly Soaked Cake?
Poking holes in the cake is essential for getting all that delicious condensed milk in. It’s important to do this while the cake is still warm, so it absorbs better.
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the cake.
- Doing this right after baking helps the cake soak in moisture and flavor.
- Be sure to pour the sweetened condensed milk slowly and evenly to let it seep into all the holes! It adds so much creaminess.
Letting it cool before adding the glaze is crucial. This keeps the glaze from melting into the warm cake instead of sitting beautifully on top!
Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow or butter cake mix (plus ingredients required for the mix: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the Praline Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3-4 tablespoons milk (for drizzle consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful poke cake takes about 20 minutes to prepare and around 25-30 minutes to bake, plus some additional time for cooling. So, expect to spend around 1 hour in total before it’s ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) or whatever temperature your cake mix package suggests. This step is important to ensure even baking.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, follow the cake mix instructions to prepare the batter, adding in the required eggs, oil, and water. Once everything is mixed well, you’re ready for the next step!
3. Bake the Cake:
Pour the prepared batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the chopped pecans evenly over the top. Bake the cake according to the package instructions, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Poke the Cake:
After removing the cake from the oven, grab the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer and poke holes all over the warm cake. Do this gently—these holes will help it soak up all that delicious milk!
5. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk:
While the cake is still warm, slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake. Make sure to cover the cake evenly, allowing it to seep into all those holes for maximum flavor!
6. Make the Praline Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar; mix until well combined. Sprinkle this praline mixture over the top of the cake, followed by the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
7. Let It Cool:
Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. This is important so that the glaze doesn’t melt into the warm cake, keeping everything deliciously distinct!
8. Prepare the Praline Glaze:
While the cake cools, make the praline glaze. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a drizzling consistency.
9. Drizzle the Glaze:
Once the cake has cooled, carefully drizzle the glaze over the top. You can use a spoon or a squeeze bottle for more control on how it looks!
10. Slice and Serve:
Cut yourself a generous slice and enjoy! You can top it with whipped cream for an extra treat if you’d like.
This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is rich, moist, and overflowing with flavor. With creamy layers and crunchy pecans, it’s sure to delight anyone who tries it!
Can I Use a Different Flavor of Cake Mix?
Absolutely! While yellow or butter cake mixes work best for this recipe, you can try a chocolate or vanilla cake mix for a different flavor profile. Just be mindful that it may change the overall taste!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. If you plan to freeze it, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge before enjoying!
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this cake a day in advance! Just be sure to wait to add the praline glaze until you’re ready to serve, to keep it fresh and beautiful.
What Can I Use Instead of Chopped Pecans?
If you’re out of pecans or have nut allergies, you can substitute them with chopped walnuts or even leave them out entirely. For a different texture, consider adding chocolate chips or coconut flakes!
