Whip up this Banana Bourbon Poke Cake for any occasion! This boxed caked recipe can be made ahead of time for an easy dessert!
I mean, who doesn’t love an easy, make ahead dessert recipe? Sometimes for parties we’ll even make fun cocktails instead of dessert like this RumChata Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini or this Mississippi Mud Pie Martini!
What Is a Poke Cake?
Ok to be honest, I’ve never made a poke cake recipe before. Have you guys? I know these poke cake recipe are super popular, and now that I’ve made this Banana Bourbon Poke Cake I can see why.
Not only are poke cakes super easy to make but they are super tasty to eat. All that pudding and whipped cream on top of and oozing out of a delicious cake? I’m in for those flavors, that is definitely my jam.
A poke cake is literally a cake that you poke full of holes. Why would you poke holes in a cake? Too add little flavor pockets that will fill up with delicious bites of pudding and whipped cream and whatever other flavor combinations you’ve got going on.
Poke cakes are definitely a make ahead recipe and if you have time to make it ahead, you should. The cake will become really moist by absorbing the pudding and whipped cream and become so much more delicious.
But if you only have time to make this Banana Bourbon Poke Cake recipe and serve it, it’s still going to be top notch tasty. I combined some of my favorite flavors in this easy dessert recipe, banana, whipped cream, vanilla and bourbon.
How Do You Make A Poke Cake?
Start by making a boxed cake, for this recipe I used a Butter Golden Cake mix. Make the cake according to the package directions and let cool.
Next, using the end of a wooden spoon, poke several holes in the cake. This is where the pudding layer will soak into the cake layer and make it super moist and delicious.
Now pour the pudding layer, in this case banana pudding with a splash of bourbon, all over the top of the cake. The pudding will seep down into the cake, filling up all the holes.
The top layer is typically whipped cream which you can make yourself, like I did, or grab it from the store. Cool Whip topping would be great on top of a poke cake!
Then cover and refrigerate. If you don’t have time for your poke cake to chill, no worries, it’s still going to taste amazing. But take advantage if that time that this Banana Bourbon Poke Cake will sit in the fridge and get it done ahead of time if you can!
We made this cake for one of our Thanksgiving desserts and I have to tell you – it was a hit with everyone! There were all the other favorite desserts on the table that everyone ate, but seconds went to this banana poke cake!
Such an addicting dessert recipe, you really can’t stop eating it!
Make this Banana Bourbon Poke Cake anytime you need an easy dessert recipe! Since this is a make ahead dessert recipe, it’s the perfect party dessert!
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Banana Bourbon Poke Cake
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeA delicious, super moist dessert recipe that starts with a boxed cake mix! This poke cake is flavored with bananas and bourbon for a real party dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 Golden Butter Cake, prepared according to package directions
- 2 packages instant banana pudding (5.1 ounce size)
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 2 cups vanilla wafers, crushed
- 2 ounces shaved dark chocolate for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the cake according to the package directions, using the 9″ x 13″ baking dish instructions.
- Bake for 25 minutes, remove from the oven and cool.
- While the cake is baking, pour the instant pudding into a bowl. Whisk in the milk and bourbon, then let sit at room temperature to thicken.
- In another bowl, beat the heavy cream with the vanilla extract and sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Poke holes in the cake with the end of a wooden spoon. Pour the pudding over the top of the cake, spreading evenly.
- Layer the banana slices on the top of the pudding in a single layer. Next spread the whipped cream on top of the pudding layer.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Before serving, add the chocolate shavings and crushed vanilla wafers to the top of the cake and more sliced bananas if desired.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Doesn’t mention how much Bourbon in the recipe :(
I fixed that for you Lynn!