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!
How to make cinnamon roll poke cake
Mix the cake mix, eggs, milk, water, and butter together. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
After the cake has baked, poke holes in the cake. I like to use the handle of a spoon.
In a separate bowl, mix the filling ingredients together. Pour over the cake. I pour a little at a time to let it sink in and then continue a little at a time.
Let the cake cool to room temperature before frosting.
Tips
- 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.
More cakes that begin with a cake mix!
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Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz 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 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
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Originally published 1/20/16. Updated with new tips and photos 4/13/20.
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!
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Tara says
Love the cake! But my icing definitely didnt turn out white in color or nearly as fluffy as the pics. Did i do something wrong when making?!
Kate says
Thanks! I don’t think you did something wrong, but here are some tips for fluffier/lighter frosting next time. 1) You can use a clear vanilla in place of real vanilla. That helps to avoid some of the off-white color. 2) You can mix the frosting longer. Whipping the frosting up more will give you a lighter/fluffier frosting. Hope that helps!
Liz says
Delicious very moist snd taste like cinnamon rolls without the work. Yummy
Kate says
Thanks so much!!
Kerri Bosch says
Do you have a printed cookbook?
Kate says
Hi! I don’t have one yet, but I’m working on putting one together.
Kelsey says
This was delicious! I had a left over white cake mix from my sons birthday and I’m glad I chose your recipe to use it with. My husband said he thought it tasted just like a cinnamon roll.
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that your family liked it! =)
Mary Roberts says
This cake is easy & fantastic! My father-in-law generally doesn’t like any dessert but chocolate ice cream, buy he tried this the last time I made it & liked it so much that I just pulled up the recipe to make it for his birthday dinner this weekend. That is very high praise indeed!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that it was a hit! Thanks for coming back to comment! =)
Dixie says
Amazing cinnamon roll poke cake!better than 5*
Kate says
Thank you so much! And thank you for commenting!
Mabel says
Can I bake this in a 10 by 15 pan
Kate says
Hi! I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for certain. A 10×15, though, will give you a flatter cake, so I’m not sure how that will work with the filling.
Kamber Brandon says
Would I be able to use yellow cake mix instead of white?
Kate says
Yes, you can use a yellow cake mix if you prefer.
Tammy says
Best icing I’ve ever had!!
Kate says
Thanks! I’m so glad that you liked it! =)
Diane Remington says
Has anyone added a few raisins and nuts to the cinnamon roll poke cake. I remember as a child eating cinnamon buns that had a few raisins and nuts sprinkled on top
Kate says
I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t mix in some raisins and nuts. =)
Amber says
I’m planning to make this gluten free for my 2 Celiac kids today for Easter. Fingers crossed it turns out!
Kate says
Fingers crossed! I’d love to hear how it came out!
Fay says
Hi!! Can’t wait to make this tonight but was wondering if this could be made in a bundt pan??
Kate says
Hi! I haven’t tried making it in a bundt pan. I *think* it could work. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it works out! =)
Becky says
making this today for my sons birthday cake.
Kate says
Happy birthday to your son! Hope you enjoy the cake. =)
Kristin says
So delicious and easy to make! I brought it for potluck party at work and everyone loved it.
Kate says
Yay! I’m so glad! Thanks for taking the time to comment! =)
Lilianna says
Does the filling require one teaspoon or tablespoon of cinnamon?
Kate says
Hi! It’s 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Hope that helps!
Tami says
Tablespoon is always written (in recipes) with a capital T. And teaspoon will be written with a lowercase t.
Bre says
The topping looks like it has more than just frosting in the photo
Kate says
Yep! I sprinkled some cinnamon on it to make it easier to photograph. =)
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.
Laurie Shipp says
What did you sprinkle on top of the frosting? It dresses it up and probably adds more flavor. Let inquiring minds know!!!
Kate says
Hi! I sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon on top and just swirled it in. =)
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. =)