Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist, cinnamon-swirl poke cake topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and pockets of gooey cinnamon filling.
# What You 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
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface.
03 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
04 - While the cake is baking, stir together brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix in melted butter until a thick, spreadable paste forms.
05 - Remove cake from oven and immediately use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes over the entire surface, spaced about 1 inch apart.
06 - Spoon or drizzle the cinnamon filling evenly over the warm cake, ensuring it seeps into all the holes. Allow cake to cool completely.
07 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy and spreadable.
08 - Spread frosting in an even layer over the cooled cake. Slice and serve as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This cake hides gooey cinnamon pockets that surprise you with every forkful—like finding an extra treat in your dessert.
- The simple cake mix base means less fuss and more time for licking bowls or sipping coffee.
02 -
- If you don’t poke deep enough, the cinnamon filling never makes it to the bottom—it took a few half-hearted attempts before I learned to go for it.
- Letting the cake cool fully prevents the cream cheese frosting from melting and sliding off in sticky rivers.
03 -
- Warming the cinnamon filling a few seconds helps it pour and soak in perfectly.
- Lightly tenting the cake mid-bake with foil keeps it extra soft if your oven runs hot.