Super Easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake (+ Video)

This easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake recipe uses cake mix, banana pudding, and whipped cream to make a phenomenal flavor combo! So simple to make and perfect for summer.

Why You'll Love This Banana Pudding Poke Cake

I can't think of a better summer party or potluck dessert. This recipe is absolutely summer in a pan.

It's kind of like a bowl of banana pudding and a sheet cake had a baby. You get that rich, creamy element mixed with the lightness of the cake. This one is similar to tres leches cake, just jacked up a bit with bright banana flavor and fun toppings.

Ingredients & Variations

• Boxed banana cake mix - You'll never know this is a boxed cake mix, I promise. It's summer as of this publish date, so banana cake mix is pretty readily available at most grocery stores. However, if you can't find it, a yellow cake mix works just fine.
• Milk - Make sure to use whole milk to keep this recipe nice and creamy! You'll also need to use cold milk when making the instant pudding mix.
• Butter -  Using room-temperature butter will make it much easier to mix your cake batter.
• Instant banana pudding mix - it's important that you use Instant mix rather than regular pudding mix for this recipe; instant pudding allows the cake to set up quickly. If you'd like to cut some of the sugar, use a sugar-free pudding mix instead.
• Cool Whip - Of course, off-brand whipped topping is totally ok too. You could even make your own whipped cream by whipping 1 cup of heavy cream and ½ cup of powdered sugar.
• Bananas - don't cut the banana slices for the top of the cake until the last minute. You'll want to avoid browning as much as possible. Or, if you want a cake that's a little more shelf-stable, use dried banana chips instead of fresh bananas.

Flavor Variations

You're not just limited to banana poke cake. Use strawberry cake mix, pudding, and fresh strawberries on top for a Strawberry Poke Cake. Use chocolate cake mix, pudding, and chocolate shavings on top for a Chocolate Poke Cake.

You get the idea - change it up for different poke cake recipes!

You can also mix flavors in this cake! I have a Strawberry Banana Pudding Cake that's similar to this one. It combines strawberries and bananas in one delicious cake recipe.

(Looking for more fun & fruity recipes? Check out my Pineapple Dump Cake and Crock Pot Peach Cobbler recipes!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix boxed banana cake mix, 1 cup milk, 4 eggs, and a stick of room temperature butter and pour batter into a prepared 9x12" glass baking dish. Bake in the oven according to package directions. Allow the cake to cool for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Once the cake is cool, using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes every 1-2 inches in the cake. You want to go all the way down to the bottom...get in there good!

Step 3: Whisk together the pudding mix and 2 ½ cups milk. Stir well to get any lumps out of the mix. Just after mixing, pour this pudding mixture over the top of the cake. Use the wooden spoon to spread the pudding mix into the cake. You want very little pooling on top.

Step 4: Chill the cake, covered, in the fridge for a few hours (I chilled mine overnight). This gives the cake time to cool and the pudding time to set.

Step 5: Once cooled, "frost" the cake with the Cool Whip. Sprinkle the crushed vanilla wafers over the top of the whipped cream. Just prior to serving, slice the bananas and spread them over the top (you don't want to do it too early, or the bananas will brown).

Video

Expert Tips

• Don't top the poke cake with bananas until just before you're ready to serve. They brown quickly!
• If you must put bananas on the cake more than an hour or so before serving, toss the banana slices in a little bit of lemon juice. That will buy you some time (but will give the banana slices a noticeable tangy flavor). I wouldn't top the cake with banana slices at all until you're within 24 hours of serving.
• This cake should be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after preparing. I'd recommend not slicing the cake until you're ready to serve it.
• I do not recommend freezing this banana pudding poke cake. The texture is just never right after coming out of the freezer.
• Make sure to spray your baking pan with cooking spray or rub it with vegetable oil before pouring in your cake batter.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe FAQs