Imagine the flavors of your favorite gooey breakfast treat—cinnamon rolls—now reimagined as a decadent dessert you can share with a crowd. That’s what you get with Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake: an unbelievably moist, cinnamon-swirled cake crowned with a rich cream cheese frosting, all mingling together in every bite. Whether it’s for a special brunch, family gathering, or a cozy weekend treat, this cake brings all the cozy sweetness of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, but in a fun, make-ahead cake form that’s always a hit.

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe brings together a handful of accessible, everyday ingredients that each play a crucial part in creating the signature flavor, tender crumb, and irresistible topping of Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake. Gather these, and you’re halfway to dessert bliss!

White or yellow cake mix: Provides a soft, fluffy base that soaks up cinnamon roll flavors beautifully.
Sweetened condensed milk: Soaks into the cake, making it incredibly moist and infusing it with rich, sweet flavor.
Packed brown sugar: Adds a deep caramel note and that classic cinnamon roll warmth.
Ground cinnamon: Brings the unmistakable bold spice that sets this cake apart.
Melted butter: Helps the cinnamon filling soak through the cake and adds buttery richness.
Cream cheese (softened): The heart of the luscious frosting—tangy, creamy, and utterly addictive.
Butter (softened): Gives the frosting richness and helps it whip up smooth.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and makes it silky-smooth.
Milk: Loosens the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic finish to the frosting.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your white or yellow cake mix as directed on the box, then pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Bake according to package instructions—it’ll fill your kitchen with lovely, homey smells! Once done, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes; it should be just warm to the touch before moving on.

Step 2: Poke the Cake

Take the handle of a wooden spoon (or something similar), and poke holes all over the surface of the slightly cooled cake. Space the holes about an inch apart for the best soaking effect. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy—those holes are the secret to that signature Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake gooeyness.

Step 3: Mix and Pour the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until everything is fully mixed and the sugar has dissolved. Immediately pour this mixture evenly over the entire cake, making sure it seeps down into every hole. This is where all that cinnamon roll magic happens!

Step 4: Cool Completely

It can be tempting to dig in right away, but patience pays off! Let the cake cool completely in the pan. This gives the filling time to soak in and the flavors to meld, ensuring every slice of Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is irresistibly moist.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until creamy and lump-free. Add powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed), and vanilla, then mix until the frosting is luxuriously smooth and spreadable. The creamy tang pairs so perfectly with all the sweetness swirling below.

Step 6: Frost and Chill

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. For extra flair, swirl a pinch of cinnamon-sugar on top if you like. Pop the cake in the fridge until you’re ready to serve—chilling sets the flavors and makes slicing a breeze.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Garnishes

Dress up your Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or a sprinkle of extra brown sugar on the frosting. For a bakery-style look, you can even pipe an extra drizzle of cream cheese glaze over each piece, or top with tiny curls of white chocolate for a fun twist.

Side Dishes

This cake is rich and satisfying on its own, but it pairs delightfully with something a little refreshing on the side. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a mug of hot coffee, or a fruit salad with berries and oranges all make wonderful complements to the sweet, spiced cake.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving for a party or special brunch, cut the Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake into small squares for bite-sized treats, or use a round biscuit cutter for a fun presentation. Serve each piece in cupcake liners for easy, mess-free snacking, or stack slices with extra frosting for a decadent dessert tower.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. The beauty is, the flavors get even better as they mingle and settle, so don’t be afraid of making it ahead—if anything, it might taste even more cinnamon roll-esque tomorrow!

Freezing

Freeze individual pieces by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then placing them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. To thaw, let the pieces rest in the fridge overnight, and the cake will be ready when the cinnamon mood strikes!

Reheating

To recapture that dreamy, just-baked flavor, microwave a chilled slice for 10–15 seconds. It softens the frosting and gently warms the cake, reviving all those fresh-from-the-oven sensations. For a crowd, warm the whole pan in a low oven (cover with foil) until just heated through.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake batter instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite basic vanilla or yellow cake recipe, feel free to use it in place of the box mix. Just follow the instructions for baking in a 9×13-inch pan, and proceed as directed from there.

Is there a way to make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap in a gluten-free yellow or white cake mix, along with any required gluten-free flour in the filling or frosting, to create a gluten-friendly version. Every other component is naturally gluten-free, so the swap is simple!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

You sure can! Just use two 9×13-inch pans and make double the filling and frosting. This cake disappears quickly at potlucks and parties, so it’s always smart to make extra.

Do I need to keep the cake refrigerated?

Since the frosting includes cream cheese, it’s best to store the finished Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake in the refrigerator. Just let slices sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the perfect soft texture.

What’s the best way to poke the holes?

The handle of a wooden spoon works perfectly—it creates holes that are big enough for the filling to soak into but not so wide that the cake falls apart. If you don’t have one handy, a thick straw or even the end of a chopstick can do the trick!

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is pure comfort and fun, whether you’re feeding a holiday crowd or simply spoiling yourself. If you’ve never tried a poke cake before, now’s your chance—jump in, have fun with the process, and get ready to impress everyone with just how outrageously delicious a cake can be. Happy baking!

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the deliciousness of a Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake. This easy-to-make dessert combines the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll with a moist, tender cake, topped with a creamy frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Cake:

1 box white or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter

For the Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake in a 9×13-inch pan according to the package directions. Let it cool for 10–15 minutes.
Poke Holes and Prepare Filling: Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. Mix sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until smooth. Pour the mixture over the warm cake, letting it soak in.
Cool and Frost: Allow the cake to cool completely. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.