Cake recipes don’t get much better than this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake! It’s a moist cake filled with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with rich cream cheese frosting!
Poke cakes are a fun twist on traditional sheet cakes. They’re filled with a yummy filling and then topped with frosting. They’re a real crowd pleaser!
This delicious cinnamon roll poke cake is a fluffy cake that’s filled with buttery sweet cinnamon filling! The cake is topped with a not-too-sweet homemade cream cheese frosting that perfectly compliments the cake.
This easy cake is so much faster to make than homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s the perfect way to indulge your cinnamon roll craving whenever the mood strikes!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Cake mix: I use a plain white cake mix without pudding in it.
- Milk: You can use any milk from skim to whole milk.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work.
- Sweetened condensed milk: You can use either regular or non-fat sweetened condensed milk.
- Butter: I use salted butter. If you’re using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt or two.
- Cream cheese: Regular, 1/3-less fat, or Greek cream cheese will work. I don’t recommend fat-free cream cheese in this recipe.
How to make cinnamon roll poke cake
Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Cake
Step 1: Add the cake mix, eggs, milk, water, and butter to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix together until well-combined.
Step 3: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Step 4: Bake.
Filling
Step 5: After the cake has baked, poke holes in the cake. I like to use the end of a wooden spoon.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, mix the filling ingredients together.
Step 7: Pour the cinnamon mixture over the top of the cake. I pour a little at a time to let it sink in and then continue a little at a time making sure to cover the whole cake.
Step 8: Let the cake cool to room temperature before frosting.
Frosting
Step 9: To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer) until combined.
Step 10: Add powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon condensed milk. Beat together until well-combined. Mix in additional condensed milk and vanilla to desired consistency.
Step 11: Spread frosting over cooled cake. Enjoy at room temperature, or chill and enjoy cold.
Recipe Tips!
- Filling: I pour a bit of filling over the cake, let it soak in, and repeat. This allows the filling to sink into the holes and not just run off the sides.
- Frosting: You can add a dusting of cinnamon on top of the frosting to give it an extra pop of cinnamon flavor.
- Make-ahead: This cake is great for times when you need to make a dessert ahead of time. The cake can be made the day before and chilled until you’re ready to serve it.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! You can use your favorite homemade white cake recipe instead of using a box of white cake mix and the other ingredients listed under the “cake” section. Then, just bake the cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan and continue with the rest of the recipe.
You can use a yellow cake mix or a butter cake mix in place of the white cake mix, if you prefer. If you’re using a different type of cake mix, just be sure to follow the package directions on the back of the box if using a different type of cake.
Storage
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake should keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
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Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter melted
Filling
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, milk, water, and butter on low for 30 seconds.
- Turn speed up to medium, and mix together for 1-2 minutes, or until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, stir together butter, brown sugar, condensed milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon (or similar instrument), poke holes in the cake (I poke about 35).
- Pour filling mixture over warm cake a little at a time, gently spreading as necessary.
- Let cake cool to room temperature.
- To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until combined.
- Add powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon condensed milk. Beat together until well-combined.
- Mix in additional condensed milk and vanilla to desired consistency.
- Spread frosting over room temperature cake.
- Enjoy at room temperature, or chill and enjoy cold.
- Cover and chill any leftovers.
Notes
- Cake mix: I use a plain white cake mix without pudding in it.
- Milk: You can use any milk from skim to whole milk.
- Sweetened condensed milk: You can use either regular or non-fat sweetened condensed milk.
- Cream cheese: Regular, 1/3-less fat, or Greek cream cheese will work. I don’t recommend fat-free in this recipe.
- Nutrition facts are estimates.
Nutrition
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Originally published 1/20/16. Cake adapted from Love, Life, & Sugar.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Karam says
Thank you for all your recipes.
Chesley says
I made the cake as written and my family called me a rock star! Thanks!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that!
Anna R says
I’ve made this a couple of times and it’s always a huge hit!! Thank you for this recipe! :)
Kate says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for commenting!
Linda Blair says
Made cinnamon poke cake. Delicious!!
Noreen says
Delicious! I used to be a professional chef but occasionally I like a great and simple recipe. My husband found this to be delicious, as well!
I didn’t have sweetened condensed milk, but had condensed milk, so I sweetened it w/powdered sugar and a bit of vanilla extract and whipped it up with a whisk. (Worked great!) Next time I make it, I’ll use stevia powdered sugar, for less sugar content. My husband and I both have a big sweet tooth, but I try to limit our sugar consumption, as I’m a diabetic who loves sweets, plus, we both watch our waistlines.
I make this mostly for my husband, but I let myself have a couple of pieces. I just sub out the brown sugar for Truvia brown sugar, and it works beautifully.
I also used lower fat cream cheese but you can’t tell at all, especially when using a good quality cheese, and then I added in the caviar from a fresh vanilla bean, along with the exact.
Thanks for the idea! It’s a yummy treat! :)
Kate says
Thank you!
SWebb says
Can I use a yellow cake mix with it?
Kate says
Hi! You can use a yellow or butter cake mix if you prefer.
L Blair says
I used yellow cake mix. Delicious!
Kate says
Thank you!
Mfelder says
Loving this! So easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Kate says
Thank you!
laura howard says
This recipe was amazing! My whole family enjoyed it very much. Definitely on the “make again” list!
Kate says
Thank you!!