This banana poke cake is perfect for all occasions. Rich, moist, and easy to make, this dessert will have you hooked from that first bite!
Pudding Poke Cake
There’s nothing quite like a good banana dessert. Whether it’s banana bread or banana cream cupcakes, our family cannot get enough banana! Bananas are a common love for many kids, so we wanted to share this amazing banana poke cake with you. Make it for your next birthday party or just for a special treat after Sunday dinner. No matter when you make it, you won’t be able to get enough of this amazing dessert.
One of our favorite things about poke cakes are how simple they are to make. They use minimal ingredients and they are so easy to prepare. We also love how customizable they are! It is so easy to substitute cake or pudding flavors for others to change it up! Oreo poke cake is perfect for the chocolate lover and unicorn jello poke cake is the perfect addition to any little girl’s birthday. No matter what flavor of poke cake you choose, we know you won’t be disappointed!
Banana Poke Cake
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Bake Time: 25 minutes
- Cool Time: 1 hour
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 9×13 inch cake
- Servings: 28 slices
Ingredients
- yellow cake mix
- water
- vegetable oil
- eggs
- instant banana pudding mix
- milk
- whipped topping
- vanilla wafer cookies
- Sliced bananas for topping (optional)
See the recipe card for amounts on the bottom of the page.
- 9×13 Cake Pan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- Electric Hand Mixer
How to Make Banana Poke Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool (about 1 hour).
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon poke holes all over the cake (about 1 inch apart).
- In medium mixing bowl, combine instant pudding mix and milk. Whisk together until smooth.
- Pour pudding over cake and spread evenly
- Refrigerate for one hour.
- Spread whipped cream over the pudding layer.
- Top with crushed vanilla wafers and sliced bananas (optional) and serve immediately.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- For an extra fluffy cake, use an electric hand mixer to beat batter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Don’t rush the cooling process. If you pour the pudding over the cake before it is cooled, the pudding will be runny and the cake will be soggy. If you need to hurry, put the cake in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- For an even richer cake, replace the oil with softened butter and the water with milk! Nobody will believe that you used a boxed cake mix!
- Change it up with the flavors! Try using different flavors of cake mixes and mix up the pudding flavors to fit your preference. For a strawberry-banana take, use a strawberry cake mix and banana pudding. Top with sliced bananas and strawberries and serve immediately. Yum!
Storage
Be sure to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored properly, the poke cake should keep for up to 3 days.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes you can! If preparing ahead of time, store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Just before serving, spread the crushed vanilla wafers and banana slices on the top.
Can I try other flavors in poke cake?
Yes! It is so easy to mix up the flavors in poke cakes! Just swap out the jello / pudding flavor for a different spin on this fun dessert! Try these varieties as well!
Love what you see? Leave a comment and don’t forget to rate it below! We always love knowing how your recipe turns out! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @micheletripple to show me your finished product!
Love cake? Try these other delicious recipes!
- Rainbow Poke Cake
- Mississippi Mud Cake
- Lemon Raspberry Stack Cakes
- Banana Cream Cupcakes
- Double Chocolate Cupcakes
Banana Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil
- 3eggs
- 2 3.4 ounce packages banana pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 8oz whipped topping
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafer cookies
- Optional: Sliced bananas for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
3. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Allow the cake to cool, then using the handle of a wooden spoon poke holes over each inch of the cake. Set aside.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk.
6. Spread pudding over cake, pushing over poked holes.
7. Refrigerate for one hour.
8. Spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer.
9. Top with crushed vanilla wafer cookies and sliced bananas, if desired.
Michele Tripple is a renowned author and expert in the fields of parenting, relationships, and personal development. With her degree in marriage and family studies, her experience as a Family Life Educator, and over a decade of experience as a professional writer, Michele has authored books that provide practical advice and insights into improving family dynamics and personal growth. Her work is celebrated for its blend of research-driven information and relatable, real-world applications. Michele has been a keynote speaker at conferences and has contributed to numerous publications and media outlets, solidifying her reputation as an authoritative voice in her field and helping families build relationships.
I’m not a fan of banana pudding but my husband would love this! Might have to make a small one for him one day.
I will try this cake at the weekend. Looks bright and tasty.
I have never made a banana cake, or a poke cake before. Sounds delicious and like a fun idea for a dessert!
Forget having to try it, I’m hooked just looking at it! Oh my that looks amazing!
oh my, yet another droolworthy poke cake from you!!. thank you!
My husband is going to love this Banana Poke Cake. He loves anything with banana and will definitely have to give this a try. Thank you for the idea!
I would totally have my mom bake this cake for me! I love cakes, and have never tried a banana cake before.
Yay! Don’t forget to share it in your IG stories so we can all see it!
This looks delicious. Bananas are definitely a go to in our house and the kids can’t get enough. Will add to my list to try.
Let me know how it turns out!
This recipe looks so yummy!
The banana cake looks tempting. My family loves desserts and cake + pudding sounds like a double bonanza
This looks REALLY yummy and easy to do!