Description
This Pumpkin Poke Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert combining spiced pumpkin cake with rich caramel sauce and creamy cream cheese frosting, topped with crunchy pecans. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat, it’s easy to prepare and best enjoyed chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 15.25 ounce spice cake mix
- 1½ cups pumpkin purée
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 cup caramel sauce plus more for drizzling
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Make the batter: In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin purée, eggs, melted butter, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth and well mixed.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool and poke holes: Let the cake cool slightly, then use a small wooden spoon handle to poke holes evenly across the top of the cake to allow the caramel to soak in.
- Add caramel sauce: Pour 1 cup of caramel sauce evenly over the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to let the caramel absorb.
- Frost and garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top of the chilled cake. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the frosting and drizzle additional caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
- Final chill: Chill the cake again in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Serve best chilled; you can let the cake sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then add the frosting and toppings fresh before serving.
- Allowing the caramel to soak in before frosting helps keep the frosting from melting and enhances flavor integration.
- This cake tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for preparing ahead of time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
