Description
Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake is a cozy fall dessert with soft pumpkin spice cake, sweet caramel filling, creamy whipped topping, and a buttery crunch on top. This easy recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving desserts, fall food ideas, holiday baking, potluck desserts, make-ahead dessert ideas, and anyone craving a simple pumpkin cake that tastes rich, moist, and comforting.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup caramel sauce
1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces
1 tub whipped topping, 8 ounces, thawed
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup toffee bits
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup extra caramel sauce for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake for 28 to 33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
5. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then poke holes all over the top using the handle of a wooden spoon.
6. In a bowl, whisk the caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
7. Slowly pour the caramel mixture over the warm cake, spreading it gently so it sinks into the holes.
8. Cover and refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled.
9. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake.
10. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce, then sprinkle with pecans, toffee bits, and ground cinnamon.
11. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, so the cake does not become overly sweet or heavily spiced.
Pour the caramel mixture over the cake while it is still warm so it can soak into the holes properly.
Add the pecans and toffee bits shortly before serving if you want the topping to stay crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 315mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 52mg
Keywords: pumpkin caramel poke cake, pumpkin poke cake, caramel pumpkin cake, fall dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, easy pumpkin dessert, make-ahead cake