Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist vanilla cake with cinnamon-filled pockets and tangy cream cheese frosting, ideal for brunch or an indulgent treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Filling
06 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - In a large bowl, blend cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract using a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
03 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
04 - While the cake bakes, blend brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in melted butter to form a paste.
05 - Immediately after baking, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the cake surface, approximately 1 inch apart.
06 - Spoon or drizzle the cinnamon filling over the warm cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Allow cake to cool completely.
07 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Incorporate powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
08 - Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice and serve as desired.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- This cake hides gooey cinnamon pockets that turn every slice into a cozy surprise.
- The cream cheese frosting always has people swiping an extra fingerful when they think I'm not looking.
02 -
- If the cake is too hot when you frost it, the topping turns runny and loses its magic.
- Poking enough holes really is the trick for getting the cinnamon goo all through the cake rather than only on top.
03 -
- Letting the cake cool fully before frosting is non-negotiable if you love thick, luscious topping.
- Lining your pan with parchment makes lifting out neat slices so much easier (especially for sharing at potlucks).