Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Elevate your boxed cake with this cinnamon roll poke cake! A moist cake filled with a decadent cinnamon filling and then topped with cream cheese frosting makes for a crowd-pleasing cake.

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Full of delightful cinnamon roll flavor but with less work than making traditional cinnamon rolls, this cinnamon roll poke cake is fantastic! Elevate your boxed cake mix with a simple cinnamon filling and top it off with rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. This cake is perfect for any occasion and disappears from the pan in no time. 

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Ingredients 

You’ll need:

For the Cake

• 1 box vanilla (white) cake mix, prepare as directed on the box

For the Filling Mixture

• 5 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

For the Frosting

• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 8 tablespoons (½ cup) butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons clear vanilla flavoring
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons half-and-half cream

Substitutions and Additions 

CREAM CHEESE: You can use either Greek or regular cream cheese, but be sure it’s full fat as it works better in the frosting. 

VANILLA FLAVORING: If you don’t have clear vanilla flavoring, you can use the brown one. The frosting will be more of a champagne color, but it will still taste delicious. 

How to Make This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe 

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with a non-stick baking spray.

STEP TWO: Make the vanilla cake as directed on the cake box. After baking, allow the cake to cool until it is still slightly warm to the touch.

PRO TIP: Ovens vary, so change the cooking time accordingly. I recommend you check on the cake early on in the baking time to see if it’s done. 

STEP THREE: Using the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula, poke holes in the cake. Spread the holes ½ inch apart. 

STEP FOUR: Next, we will make the filling. In a heat-safe bowl, add butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until all the ingredients are combined. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute, then remove and stir. Heat for another minute and stir. Make sure all brown sugar clumps have been removed. Return to the microwave for 30-second increments until the mixture is smooth. 

STEP FIVE: Carefully spoon the filling mixture evenly over the top of the entire cake.

PRO TIP: Occasionally tap the bottom of the cake pan on the counter to release air bubbles in the holes. 

STEP SIX: Using a stand or hand mixer and a medium bowl, on medium to medium-high speed, cream the 8 tablespoons of butter and cream cheese together. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.

STEP SEVEN: Reduce the mixer speed to low, then add the clear vanilla flavoring, half and half cream, and the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time. Don’t rush this process. Return the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth.

PRO TIP: Powdered sugar can puff out of the bowl as you mix. I recommend you incorporate some of the sugar into the mix by hand, then mix it using an electric mixer. 

STEP EIGHT: Spoon the frosting on top of the cake, smoothing it with a silicone spatula.

How To Serve

This cinnamon roll poke cake is a delicious end to any meal or the perfect afternoon treat with coffee and tea. Serve it alongside a scoop of ice cream for an extra yummy treat!

Storage 

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze the cake before adding the frost. Place it in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost the cake fully, and then add the frosting to serve.

This cinnamon roll poke cake is an easy way to elevate a boxed cake. Made incredibly delicious with cinnamon and cream cheese frosting, it’s a cinnamon roll lover’s dream cake.  

FAQ:

Question: Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Answer: This cinnamon roll poke cake recipe is excellent to make the day ahead so the filling can set. 

Question: Can I use my homemade cake recipe in this dish?

Answer: We love the ease of a boxed cake mix, but you can certainly use your recipe. 

Question: Can I substitute milk for half-and-half?

Answer: Half and half works best as it gives the frosting a creamier texture and flavor, but milk works fine if you don’t have it on hand!

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Elevate your boxed cake with this cinnamon roll poke cake! A moist cake filled with a decadent cinnamon filling and then topped with cream cheese frosting makes for a crowd-pleasing cake.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 15 slices

Ingredients

  

CAKE

• 1 box vanilla white cake mix prepare as directed on the box

FILLING

• 5 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

FROSTING

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 8 tablespoons butter softened ½ cup
• 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract you can use vanilla extract if you do not have the clear vanilla. The clear vanilla flavoring keeps the frosting white
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons half and half

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with a baking spray.
• Prepare the cake as directed on the cake box. Some white cake box recipes give the option of 2-3 eggs using the whole egg or only the egg whites. Either works for this recipe, so it’s personal preference. These box cakes are almost always done baking several minutes before the suggested bake times on the back of the box so keep an eye on them in the oven! After baking, allow the cake to cool until it is still just slightly warm to the touch.
• Using the end handle of a silicone spoon or spatula or a wooden handled spatula, poke holes in the cake. Spread the holes approximately ½ inch apart.
• In a heat-safe bowl, add the 5 tablespoons of butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until all the ingredients are combined. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute, remove and stir. Heat for another minute and stir. Stir and make sure all brown sugar clumps have been removed. Return to the microwave for 30-second increments until all lumps are removed.
• Carefully ladle the melted butter mixture evenly over the top of the cake.
• Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer and a medium-sized mixing bowl, on medium to medium high speed, cream the 8 tablespoons of butter and cream cheese together. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low then add the clear vanilla flavoring, half and half cream, and the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time. Return the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth.
• Spoon all of the frosting on the cake, and using a silicone spatula smooth the frosting. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container.

Notes

TIP: Some white cake box recipes give the option of 2-3 eggs using the whole egg or only the egg whites. Either works for this recipe, so it’s personal preference. These box cakes are almost always done baking several minutes before the suggested bake times on the back of the box so keep an eye on them in the oven!

TIP: I prefer using the end of a silicone spatula and poking holes while the cake is still just slightly warm, the cake slips right off the spatula and doesn’t cause any surface cake rips.

TIP: When you’re pouring the mixture into the holes, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles and make sure the sauce fills the holes completely.

Keyword Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe