Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

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!

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

White cake with buttery cinnamon sugar filling and cream cheese frosting

Author:I Heart Eating

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings:20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cinnamon roll cake, cinnamon roll poke cake, poke cake

Print Rate Pin

4.92 from 12 votes

Ingredients

Cake

• 15.25 oz white cake mix15.25 oz white cake mix
• 3 large eggs3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter (melted)1/4 cup butter (melted)

Filling

• 1/2 cup butter (melted)1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting

• 8 ounce package cream cheese (softened)8 ounce package cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon 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.

Video

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 Information

Serving: 1gCalories: 299kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 43g (14%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 12g (18%)Saturated Fat: 7g (35%)Cholesterol: 55mg (18%)Sodium: 314mg (13%)Potassium: 65mg (2%)Sugar: 34g (38%)Vitamin A: 420IU (8%)Calcium: 129mg (13%)Iron: 0.6mg (3%)

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Originally published 1/20/16. Updated with new tips and photos 4/13/20.

Cake adapted from Love, Life, & Sugar.

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