Irresistible Pumpkin Poke Cake (2024)

What We Love About Pumpkin Poke Cake

• ​​Super easy to make, starting with a simple box cake mix.
• Incredibly moist with rich pumpkin fall flavor in every bite.
• Customizable toppings like whipped cream, caramel, and nuts for extra flavor.
• Perfect for gatherings, baked in a 9×13 pan for easy sharing.
• Great make-ahead dessert that only gets better the next day!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Canola Oil
• Spice Cake Mix (do not follow the instructions on the back of the box)
• Pure Pumpkin – do NOT use pumpkin pie filling.
• Eggs – room temperature
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger – Yes, these are in the pumpkin pie spice blend, but I wanted to bring their flavors forward in this recipe.
• Salt
• Caramel Sauce – store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
• Whipped Topping – thawed
• Pecans
• Heath Toffee Bits

Simple Directions For Making Pumpkin Poke Cake

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Grease a 9×13 dish or pan.
2. Mix dry cake mix, pure pumpkin, eggs, oil, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Transfer to the dish and bake until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
4. Cool, then poke holes in the cake.
5. Pour caramel sauce over the cake.
6. Top with whipped topping, pecans, toffee bits, and more caramel. Serve chilled.

Tips For Success

• Make sure to use pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling.
• For the freshest cake, add the whipped topping, nuts, and caramel just before serving.
• To prevent the cake from sticking to the end of the wooden spoon, dip the spoon in water before poking.You can also use a straw or a fork for smaller holes.
• Use a rubber spatula to help the caramel to sink into the holes of the cake.
• Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl while mixing to incorporate all of the ingredients.
• Use any neutral oil — vegetable oil and canola both work well.

Featured Product 9×13 Non-Stick Cake Pan

This baking pan can be used to bake brownies, bar cookies, casseroles, and more. Add the plastic cover, then bring them to a picnic, party, or family gathering!

Storage

• ​​Super easy to make, starting with a simple cake mix base.
• Incredibly moist with rich pumpkin flavor in every bite.
• Customizable toppings like whipped cream, caramel, and nuts for extra flavor.
• Perfect for gatherings, baked in a 9×13 pan for easy sharing.
• Great make-ahead dessert that only gets better the next day!

Recipe Variations

• Filling – Instead of caramel choose another liquid to pour over the cake like sweetened condensed milk, jello, pudding, or cream of coconut.
• Cake Flavor – Swap out the spiced cake mix for any other flavor. Both white cake mix and yellow cake mix work well.
• Topping – Use cream cheese frosting, buttercream, or your own favorite frosting instead of whipped topping. Or, instead of using whipped topping try making homemade whipped cream.
• Nuts – Try walnuts in place of pecans.
• Chocolate – Fold chocolate chips into the batter.
• Extract – For a warm aroma, add just a bit of vanilla extract

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

Hi there, I'm Cheryl!

As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...