Cake recipes don’t get much better than this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake – tender white cake filled with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and rich cream cheese frosting!
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While I was in school, I didn’t do nearly as much baking as I do now. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, though, so I found time to do a little baking when I could.
One of my favorite cookbooks at that time was The Cake Mix Doctor.
The recipes were pretty easy, and I could keep a few cake mixes on hand. Then I just had to add a little to them for a cake that tasted more like a homemade cake.
I don’t use cake mixes as often these days, but I have few cake recipes that get a jump on things by starting with a mix.
This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is one of those recipes. The cake is soft and tender, and the buttery cinnamon-sugar filling is incredible!
The cake is topped with a not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting that perfectly compliments the cake. It’s the perfect way to indulge your cinnamon roll craving!
More poke cake recipes!
Want to see just how easy it is to make this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake? Check out my how-to video!
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Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe
White cake with buttery cinnamon sugar filling and cream cheese frosting
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 c . milk
- 1/2 c . water
- 1/4 c . butter melted
Filling
- 1/2 c . butter melted
- 1/2 c . brown sugar packed
- 1/2 c . fat-free sweetened condensed milk
- 1 T . ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp . vanilla extract
Frosting
- 8 oz package reduced-fat cream cheese , softened
- 1/4 c . butter , softened
- 2 c . powdered sugar
- 2-3 T . fat-free sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 tsp . vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x13-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, 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.
Recipe Notes
*Nutrition facts are estimates.
Nutrition facts per serving (1g)
Cake adapted from Love, Life, & Sugar.
This post is not sponsored; however, I will earn a small commission if you purchase through any affiliate links. I only link to products that I have used and have had a great experience with. Thanks!
Trish says
I told everyone the cake was awful! Of course, No one believed me, so it disappeared quickly! The next time I make it, I’ll bake the cake in a 1/2 sheet pan though! Thanks for the recipe!
Kate says
That’s too funny! My husband does the same thing! He’ll tell us that something isn’t good and that we should let him dispose of it for us. =) I’m glad that you liked the cake! Thanks for coming back to comment!
Danielle says
Does is have to be non fat sweetened condensed milk?
Kate says
No, you could use 2% or full-fat if you prefer.
Marissa says
I don’t think I’ve ever visited your blog but I found this recipe on Pinterest while searching for poke cakes. This cake was fantastic! I made it for a Labor Day get-together and everyone loved it. I’ll definitely make it again and visit your blog for other ideas! Thanks for sharing your recipe! :)
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that it was a hit! I hope you do come back. =) Thank you for coming back to comment.
Marilyn says
This cake is wonderful! No one would know that it came from a cake mix. Thank you for the easy recipe!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for coming back to comment. =)
Carol says
I made this cake for my family today. I have to say it’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever made. Thanks for sharing with us.
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you enjoyed the cake! =) Thank you for coming back to comment!
Lori says
I made 5 different cakes for my son’s workplace, in preparation for a “cake contest”at my husband’s workplace……and this cake WON! Thank you for an awesome e re up a! I think I will be making a lot of these cakes in the future!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad that you like the recipe! I love to hear things like this. =) Thank you for taking the time to come back to comment!
Joanne says
I would like to say this: I think you should be punished for posting this recipe!!!!! I made this an hour ago, and it’s almost gone already. I have been working soo hard on my diet, and then I have to find this, this bad bad thing. I. Love. This. Cake!!! I want to eat this cake everyday for the rest of my life. Why?????? Why did I lick the plate clean???? Thank you!!! But I’m still mad at you🤣😀😀😀😁
Kate says
Your comment made me laugh! I’m glad that you liked the cake, and I totally get it! Hopefully you’ll find a way to forgive me one day. ;)
ds says
very easy and great recipe. the only thing I did differently was use cherry coke instead of water. very good cinnamon cake recipe.
Kate says
Thanks! That’s a really interesting twist on the recipe. Glad it worked out!
Sue Wilhelm says
Absolutely amazing!! I made this cake last fall and it was gone before I could nab a piece. All I heard from my grandkids is “Grandma, please make this for my birthday” from 3 different grandkids. Everyone loves it. I’m making it now for our family gumbo dinner tomorrow night per request of 5 different family members. This time I’m taking my piece first!!! Lol
Kate says
I love this! I’m so glad that this cake has been a hit with your family! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave such a nice comment!
Ursula says
My son brings in a cake for all of his friends birthdays, so we made this one! I didn’t get to try it but had to give the recipe to 2 of his teachers and the girls in the group. So it went down very well! Thank you! I will make it again so I can try it.
Kate says
What a nice thing to do! I’m so glad it was a hit! Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment.
Trina says
Made this for Christmas tomorrow. I am very concerned about the cake. I added the 1/2 c milk and 1/2 c water. The cake took 40 mins to cook and because it filled with too much liquid. I wish I would’ve made the cake based on the directions on the box because now I have a massage hole as I had to open up the cake for it to expose the liquid for it to cook thoroughly. I’m not giving up on this. Will know tomorrow how it taste.
Kate says
It definitely sounds like something went wrong somewhere. Did you happen to make the cake with both the liquid called for on the box and the liquid called for in the recipe?
Anne Marie says
Hi Kate!
This looks amazing. Just one question- in the pictures it looks like there is cinnamon mixed in with the frosting on top, can see th bcokoured swirls. Is that right? I don’t see anything about adding cinnamon to the icing so just wanted to check as it looks so nic that way. Thanks so much!!
Anne Marie says
I meant I say “coloured” swirls lol
iPhone typo
Kate says
Hi! Thank you! I sifted a little bit of cinnamon over the top of the cake for pictures. If you’d like to do that, just sift a little bit of cinnamon over the top of the frosting and then lightly swirl it with a knife. =)
Anne Marie says
Perfect!! Thank you so much :)
Keesha says
I want to make this for thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! Should I make it the morning of or tonight when I get home? And do u leave it set out or out it in the fridge? And if I put it in the fridge will it get hard and nasty like cinnamon rolls do?
Kate says
You can make it tomorrow or tonight, and it should be fine either way. I store it covered in the fridge. I’ve also made the cake ahead of time and put it in the fridge until I was ready to serve it. I’ve never had it dry out, but the frosting will set up more once it has been chilled. You can just let it sit out for just a bit before you serve it to let the frosting soften back up. Hope that helps, and happy Thanksgiving! =)
Channing says
WOW! This cake was incredible! My mom and I made this tonight and it was “slap yo momma good”!!! Thank you for the recipe! This is a keeper!
Kate says
LOL! So glad you liked it! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment! =)
Lauren says
Can I use a Spice cake mix instead? I am trying to use that for something
Kate says
I’ll be honest, it’s not going to be the same. The white cake gives some contrast to the buttery cinnamon-sugar filling. So, you’d end up with a cinnamon-sugar spice cake, which might be really good in its own right.
Denysa says
Absolutely the best cake !! Whole family loved it! I’m actually making a strawberry cake now, and have made the same cream cheese icing, just added 1/4 cup strawberry preserve for strawberry cream cheese icing.
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad that your whole family loved it! The strawberry preserves with the cream cheese icing sounds amazing! I’ll have to give that a try.
Dede says
This is delicious! One of my top 3 and will now be my go-to cake. YUM!!!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked it! It’s one of my family’s favorites, and I love to hear that other people are enjoying it, too! =)
Tina says
I made this cake last night. My husband said its be “best cake i have made”. I personally thought it has toooooo much cinnamon in it. I think i will do less cinnaman next time and less condensed milk for the mixture that goes in the wholes. Other than that i thought it was good. Hubby loved it but i thought it was just okay. The mixture that went inside the wholes tasted a bit like molases cookies to me, like an odd taste, not able to explain it well but yea.
Kate says
I’m glad your husband enjoyed it, and it sounds like you know what you’d like to change to make it more to your liking next time!
Tina says
Okay, so i just wanted to update my post. I felt bad about the bad review after eating the cake the day after i made it. I tried deleting my other post but wasnt able to. Anyways, this cake was beyond delicious the day after i made it. It was soo dam good!! I looked through my pinterest to find my post to update my comment lol It didnt taste bitter like the first day. It was heavenly, i plan on making it for easter when i have family coming over. Im 7 months pregnant and this cake hit the spot with some orange juice lol. LOVED it. Thank you and im sorry i wrote a review after trying the cake while it was still kind of warm. It was so good i cant even thank you enough. lol im not exaggerating either!! SO yummy
Kate says
I’m glad! I’ve never tried it warm (I usually make it ahead of time and let it chill until I serve it), so it’s good to know that it definitely needs that time to sit. I’m pregnant, too, so I know all about how those cravings can be! ;) Thanks for taking the time to come back!
Julia Vodopia says
Hi Kate,
I woud like to use this recipe for my sister’s engagement party – how much is this recipe for, and for the party there will be about 70 ppl, how could i manipulate the recipe to fill that?
looks SO good.
Kate says
Thanks! You should be able to get 20 servings per cake. Usually, it works to double a recipe or halve it, but it doesn’t necessarily work to go beyond that. Since it sounds like you would need to 4 cakes, what I would do (and I haven’t done this, so this is just my suggestion), is to make two double batches of the cake, syrup, and frosting, and then I would bake them in 4 9×13-inch pans. Good luck! =)
Missyc says
I’m a huge baker and made this for my son’s 30th birthday. he claims this is the best cake I have ever made. Delicious and easy!
Kate says
I’m so glad that you both liked it!! I love to hear things like that! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! =)
Mr/Mrs.Tom Oody-Jr. says
This recipe looks and sounds delicious!!!!!!! I’m going to copy this one down and try making this one.The picture of this recipe makes my mouth water!!!!!!!My wife says the same thing.
Kate says
Thank you!! This cake is a favorite in our house, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! =)
Miranda says
This sounds so AMAZING!!!!! My boyfriend and his family would ABSOLUTELY LOVE this!!!!!!
Kate says
Thanks!! =)
Ellen says
I got great reviews on this cake except the filling mixture sat on the top of the cake. I poked holes and poured it on right out of the oven. Should I have let it cool first?
Kate says
I pour the filling on while the cake is still hot. I use a wooden spoon handle to make the holes, and it’s large enough that I’ve never had any issues with the filling sitting on top. Maybe making the holes just a little larger would help? Also, you can spoon it around (gently) to help it settle in. I hope that helps! =)
Gail says
I am confused by the 1T for how much cinnamon to use.. is it table spoon?
Kate says
Yes, 1 T is 1 tablespoon.
Joy says
The Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake sounds like a real Potluck winner. My mouth is watering.
Kate says
Thanks so much! =)
Marilyn N says
How will using orginal sweetened condensed milk change the recipe
Kate says
It won’t. I haven’t found any difference between using fat-free and original in recipes, so feel free to use original if that’s what you have. =)
Julia says
What a treat! My oldest daughter would love it!
Kate says
Thanks! =) Is she a fan of cinnamon rolls?