Sweet Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Dessert Delight

Soft, pillowy cake meets sweet cinnamon decadence in this mouthwatering cinnamon roll poke cake that will steal your dessert-loving heart.

Creamy, rich layers promise a dreamy experience with every single bite.

The aroma of warm spices drifts through the kitchen, signaling something truly special is about to emerge.

Smooth cream cheese frosting nestles between tender cake pockets, creating a delightful texture that melts on your tongue.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive dessert that looks like it came straight from a bakery.

This cake transforms an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of sugary comfort.

One slice will transport you to a world of pure, blissful indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything Inside Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: Provides the fluffy foundation with a classic texture that absorbs the cinnamon filling beautifully.
• Cinnamon: Infuses warmth and depth into the cake batter, creating a hint of spice throughout.

• Butter: Creates a rich, velvety base that carries the cinnamon's intense flavor and helps the filling penetrate the cake.
• Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and helps create a gooey, decadent texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall warmth and rounds out the complex flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, smooth base that brings a classic bakery-style finish.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze for perfect drizzling consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle aromatic depth to the creamy topping.
• Milk: Helps adjust the glaze's texture, making it silky and pourable.

Baking Gear For Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for spreading out the cake batter evenly and creating those delicious poke cake holes.
• Wooden spoon handle: Key for creating uniform holes throughout the cake, letting the cinnamon filling soak in perfectly.
• Mixing bowls: Essential for preparing cake batter, cinnamon filling, and cream cheese glaze.
• Electric mixer: Helps create a smooth, lump-free cream cheese glaze.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and blending the cinnamon filling.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.

Easy Steps To Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and get ready to create magic! Grab your cake mix and sprinkle in a dash of cinnamon for an extra flavor punch. Mix everything together and pour the batter into a greased baking dish.

• Bake Until Golden

Pop the cake into the oven and let it transform for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when a toothpick comes out clean. While waiting, get your delicious filling ready.

• Create Cinnamon Magic

Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla into a luscious mixture. Once the cake emerges from the oven, grab a wooden spoon handle and create a constellation of holes across the surface.

• Infuse with Flavor

Gently pour the warm cinnamon concoction over the cake, watching it seep into every delectable hole. Let the cake cool down and breathe in those incredible aromas.

• Finish with Creamy Glaze

Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a silky smooth glaze. Drizzle this heavenly topping all over your cooled cake. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight!

Tips To Add More Flavor To Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

• Smart Baking Tricks: Extra-Moist Cinnamon Magic
• Hole-Poking Pro: Poke holes while cake is piping hot to ensure maximum cinnamon filling absorption, creating deeper flavor pockets throughout the dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake a day in advance and refrigerate; flavors will intensify overnight, making each slice more delicious and rich.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream and use dairy-free milk to create a lactose-free version without compromising taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Portion Control Hack: Cut cake into smaller squares and freeze individual servings for quick dessert treats anytime cravings strike.

Ways To Serve Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Warm

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this delightful cake with a hot cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a morning treat that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Cozy Dessert Plating: Serve warm slices on vintage plates with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that melts in your mouth.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Slice into squares and arrange on a beautiful platter alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for a stunning brunch centerpiece that guests will adore.
• Gifting Potential: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a ribbon for a homemade gift that spreads warmth and love to friends and family.

Store Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake The Easy Way

• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days. Cover completely to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep the cake covered with a cake dome or loose plastic wrap at room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas to prevent cream cheese glaze from melting.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake one day in advance to allow flavors to meld. Store in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for optimal taste and texture.

Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy cinnamon roll poke cake delivers classic bakery comfort with a moist, indulgent twist. Sweet layers of cream cheese frosting and warm spices create a delightful dessert you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box white or yellow cake mix
• ½ cup (113 grams / ½ cup) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (150 grams / ¾ cup) brown sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 mL / 2 tablespoons) cinnamon
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 4 oz (113 grams / 4 ounces) cream cheese
• 1 cup (120 grams / 1 cup) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsps (45 mL / 3 tablespoons) milk
• Eggs (as per box instructions)
• Oil (as per box instructions)
• Water (as per box instructions)

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Instructions

1. Cake Base Preparation: Blend cake batter with ground cinnamon thoroughly, ensuring uniform mixture. Pour into a well-greased rectangular baking pan, distributing evenly for consistent baking performance.
2. Baking Process: Preheat oven to specified temperature. Bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center emerges clean, revealing a perfectly cooked golden cake with tender crumb.
3. Cinnamon Filling Creation: Combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to develop a glossy, aromatic liquid filling with rich, deep flavors.
4. Cake Perforation and Filling Absorption: Immediately post-baking, puncture the cake’s surface using a wooden spoon handle, creating a strategic grid pattern. This technique maximizes filling penetration and moisture distribution.
5. Glaze Preparation: Whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, silky consistency suitable for elegant drizzling. Adjust liquid proportion to ensure perfect glaze texture.
6. Final Assembly: Allow cake to cool completely. Generously drape cream cheese glaze across the surface, creating an enticing visual and flavor profile. Cut into generous servings, presenting a decadent dessert reminiscent of classic cinnamon rolls.

Notes

• Boost Cinnamon Flavor: Add an extra pinch of ground cinnamon to the cake batter for a more pronounced spice profile that elevates the entire dessert.
• Perfect Hole Technique: Use the handle of a wooden spoon to create consistent, evenly spaced holes, ensuring the cinnamon mixture penetrates every inch of the cake for maximum flavor absorption.
• Temperature Control: Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the cream cheese glaze to prevent melting and maintain a smooth, appealing finish.
• Glaze Consistency Hack: If the cream cheese glaze is too thick, gradually add milk in small increments until you achieve a silky, drizzle-ready texture that flows beautifully over the cake.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg