Easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake

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Banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert that never goes out of style. This Banana Pudding Poke Cake takes all those familiar flavors – bananas, creamy pudding, whipped cream, and vanilla wafers – and turns them into an easy cake that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.This is an easy dessert recipe that tastes like nostalgic banana pudding and the whole family will love it!.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

If you love classic banana pudding, you’re going to love this easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake.

\It has all the flavors of traditional banana pudding – sweet bananas, creamy pudding, fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy vanilla wafers – but in a soft, moist cake that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

This is one of those desserts that looks impressive but is incredibly simple to make. If you need the perfect dessert for a potluck, church dinner, holiday gathering, or family get-together, this cake is always a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Poke Cake

There are lots of reasons this cake ends up on repeat in my kitchen.

• First, it’s really easy to make. Starting with a boxed yellow cake mix means you can have the cake baked and ready in minutes.
• Second, after baking, you poke holes in the warm cake and pour banana pudding over the top so it soaks down into the cake. The pudding layer adds an extra creamy texture to the cake. 
• And finally, the topping brings everything together. Homemade whipped cream, vanilla wafer cookies, and fresh bananas give it that classic banana pudding flavor everyone loves.
• This is a great dessert to make ahead or enjoy the next day – just wait to add the bananas on top until right before serving.
• It’s a simple, delicious, crowd-pleasing dessert that always disappears fast.

More Banana Desserts

• Bundt Cake Banana Bread
• Sour Cream Banana Muffins
• Instant Pot Banana Pudding Cheesecake
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• No-Churn Banana Pudding Ice Cream

What Is a Poke Cake?

If you’ve never made a poke cake before, the idea is simple. After baking a cake, you poke holes all over the top, then pour a filling over it. The filling seeps into the holes and spreads throughout the cake.

For this recipe, we use banana pudding, which makes the cake incredibly moist and adds creamy banana flavor to every bite.

Poke cakes are popular because they’re easy, reliable, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

And let’s face it – they’re just plain delicious!!

Banana Poke Cake Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this Banana Poke Cake.

Cake

• Yellow cake mix (plus ingredients from the package directions)
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Eggs

Pudding Layer

• Banana instant pudding mix
• Milk

Whipped Cream Topping

• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla wafer cookies
• Fresh banana slices

Find the full recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Substitions

This is a delicious dessert as it’s written but there are certainly ways to change it up or substitutions you can make if you want or need to.

• Whipped Cream – If you prefer not to make homemade whipped topping, you can substitute Cool Whip. But trust me – you really do want to make the fresh whipped cream – it’s a million times better!!
• Box Cake Mix – Yellow cake mix works best, but white cake mix or vanilla cake mix will also work well.
• Pudding – Creamy banana pudding gives the cake its classic flavor, but vanilla pudding can be used if you can’t find banana.
• Milk – Whole milk makes the pudding creamier, but 2% milk will work just fine.
• Vanilla Wafers – Vanilla wafers are traditional, but shortbread cookies or butter cookies can also be used. Chessman Cookies are a great choice!
• Bananas – Fresh bananas add the classic banana pudding flavor, but you can leave them off if you prefer or if the cake will be sitting out for a while.

How to Make Banana Pudding Poke Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Add the box mix, oil, water, and eggs to a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
3. Pour the batter into a prepped 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. While the cake is in the oven, add the pudding mixes and cold milk to a medium bowl and whisk until smooth (or use a hand mixer on medium speed). Place the pudding in the refrigerator to thicken.

5. Allow the freshly baked cake to cool for about 30 minutes, then poke holes throughout the cake using the handle end of a wooden spoon.
6. Pour pudding over the top of the cake, ensuring it soaks into all the holes. 

7. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until cooled completely.
8. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until the cream begins to thicken – about 1 minute.
9. Add the powdered sugar and beat once more until stiff peaks form when the beater is lifted – about 30-60 seconds.

10. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread the whipped cream evenly over the top.
11. Place the cake back into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
12. Right before serving, top the cake with vanilla wafer cookies and sliced bananas.
13. Enjoy!!

Pro Tips for the Best Banana Pudding Poke Cake

• Let the cake chill – do not skip this step! This cake tastes even better after it has chilled for several hours or overnight. 
• Add bananas right before serving. Bananas brown quickly once sliced, so add them at the last minute for the best appearance.
• Don’t skip the holes. Poking plenty of holes allows the pudding to soak into the cake evenly.
• Use a disposable pan! A foil pan is great for easy cleanup – especially if you’re taking this dessert to a potluck or want fewer dishes to wash after a party.
• Double the creaminess. If you like a lot of pudding and whipped cream – double one or both of those layers in this cake!

Storage Tips

• Cover the dish in plastic wrap and store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days 
• For best results, add the banana slices and vanilla wafers just before serving so they stay fresh and crisp.

More Poke Cake Recipes

• Easy Strawberry Poke Cake
• Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
• Easy Coconut Poke Cake with Sour Cream
• Fireball Poke Cake (coming soon!)
• OREO Poke Cake (coming soon!)