Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable View)
Moist cinnamon-swirl cake with gooey cinnamon pockets and creamy cream cheese frosting, ideal for brunch or dessert.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared dish and smooth the surface.
03 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
04 - While the cake bakes, stir together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Blend in melted butter until a thick paste forms.
05 - Remove cake from the oven. Immediately use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly over the cake, spaced about 1 inch apart.
06 - Spoon or drizzle the cinnamon mixture over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. Let the cake cool completely.
07 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter in a bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until creamy.
08 - Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into pieces and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The cream cheese frosting melts just enough over the warm cake for an irresistible finish.
- Each bite delivers the sweet nostalgia of cinnamon rolls, but with a fraction of the effort.
02 -
- If you try to frost the cake while it's still warm, the topping will slide right off (been there, eaten that anyway).
- Letting the cinnamon filling soak fully into the poke holes transforms each bite into a swirl of flavor you won't want to skip.
03 -
- Use a larger wooden spoon handle for nice, big pockets to catch all the cinnamon filling.
- A gentle hand when spreading the frosting keeps the cake beautifully tender underneath.