This Banana Pudding Poke Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that brings together the nostalgic flavors of classic banana pudding with the soft, moist texture of a perfectly baked cake.
Each bite is infused with creamy banana pudding that seeps into the cake through tender poke holes, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s both comforting and irresistibly sweet.
Finished with a fluffy layer of whipped topping and a generous sprinkle of crunchy vanilla wafer crumbs, this easy dessert is perfect for potlucks, parties, or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort.
For an extra touch, add fresh banana slices on top for a bakery-style finish that looks as good as it tastes.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 16
Ingredients
- 1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant banana pudding mix
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs, or to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 23 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold milk and banana pudding mix until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the surface of the warm cake.
- Pour the prepared pudding over the cake, spreading it evenly so it fills the holes.
- Spread the whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle vanilla wafer crumbs over the top. Refrigerate until chilled before serving for best flavor and texture.
Chefs Notes
- For extra flavor, layer sliced bananas on top of the pudding before adding whipped topping.
- To prevent banana slices from browning, lightly toss them in lemon juice before adding.
- Chilling the cake for at least 2 hours enhances the flavor and allows the pudding to fully set.
- For added texture, reserve some whole vanilla wafers to garnish just before serving.