Pumpkin Poke Cake is an irresistibly moist and richly spiced autumn delight, lavishly drenched in luscious caramel and sweet condensed milk. Crowned with light, fluffy whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of crunchy toffee bits, this dessert offers a symphony of textures and flavors that embodies the cozy essence of fall. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience, promising to be a highlight at any seasonal gathering, from intimate family dinners to grand holiday feasts.

Indulge in the Ultimate Pumpkin Poke Cake Experience
There’s something truly magical about poke cakes. The simple act of perforating a warm cake, allowing a cascade of sweet, gooey liquid to seep into every crevice, transforms it into a dessert of unparalleled moisture and flavor. For many, including myself, they represent the pinnacle of easy, comforting indulgence. This particular rendition elevates the classic poke cake concept by infusing it with the beloved, warm, and comforting flavors of autumn, making it the perfect centerpiece for your fall celebrations.
Our Pumpkin Poke Cake recipe weaves together the aromatic notes of pumpkin pie spice, the natural sweetness and moisture of canned pumpkin puree, and the delightful crunch of buttery toffee. The result is a cake that is not only bursting with vibrant seasonal flavor but also incredibly tender and moist, thanks to the double dose of liquid gold – sweetened condensed milk and rich caramel topping – that permeates every single bite. Each spoonful delivers a rich, comforting taste that instantly transports you to a cozy autumn evening.
Beyond its incredible taste and texture, this pumpkin dessert offers remarkable convenience, making it a dream come true for hosts. It’s an ideal candidate for make-ahead preparation, requiring at least four hours to chill, but truly shining after a full day in the refrigerator. This characteristic makes it a valuable asset during the bustling holiday season, freeing up precious time on the day of your event while ensuring a dessert that tastes even better for having rested. Imagine pulling out a perfectly chilled, intensely flavored cake, ready to impress your guests with minimal last-minute effort. This Pumpkin Poke Cake is truly a busy host’s best friend, allowing you to enjoy your festivities without stress over dessert!

Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Pumpkin Poke Cake
Crafting this delightful Pumpkin Poke Cake requires a thoughtful blend of pantry staples and a few special additions that truly make it shine. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- Yellow Cake Mix: We begin with a high-quality yellow cake mix as our convenient and reliable base. Brands like Betty Crocker’s Super Moist are excellent choices, known for consistently delivering a tender crumb and delicious vanilla notes that perfectly complement the pumpkin and spices. Using a mix significantly saves time and effort, making this impressive cake accessible for bakers of all experience levels while ensuring a consistently fluffy cake structure.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This often-underestimated ingredient is the secret to achieving an extraordinarily moist, tender, and incredibly soft cake. The pudding mix not only adds an extra layer of subtle sweetness but also acts as a humectant, helping the cake retain moisture and ensuring it stays fresh and delicious for several days. It enhances the overall richness and density without making the cake feel heavy or overly dense.
- Vegetable Oil: Essential for keeping the cake exceptionally tender, rich, and moist. Unlike butter, which can make cakes denser, vegetable oil contributes to a fine, delicate crumb that prevents the cake from drying out, contributing to its velvety texture and extending its shelf life.
- Large Eggs: Eggs are vital multitaskers in baking, providing essential structure, acting as a binder for all ingredients, and contributing to the cake’s rise and aeration. They help create a stable emulsion with the fats and liquids, ensuring a well-risen, evenly textured, and beautifully structured cake.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: This is where the magic of fall truly enters the stage! It’s crucial to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains added spices and sugars. Pure pumpkin puree adds natural sweetness, incredible moisture, and that signature, earthy pumpkin flavor that defines this autumnal dessert. The puree contributes to the cake’s wonderfully dense yet tender texture and prevents it from drying out.
- Ground Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: These warm, aromatic spices are absolutely non-negotiable for a true fall flavor profile. Ground cinnamon provides a classic, comforting warmth, while pumpkin pie spice (a blend typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves) deepens the festive aroma and taste, creating a truly cozy, inviting, and complex dessert experience. Together, they create a symphony of fall flavors.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk and Caramel Topping: These two indulgent liquids are the very heart of the “poke” in poke cake! When poured generously over the warm, freshly perforated cake, they seep into every single hole and crevice, infusing the entire cake with an incredible depth of sweetness, unparalleled moisture, and a rich, gloriously gooey texture. The sweetened condensed milk adds a creamy, milky sweetness, while the caramel topping offers a buttery, decadent, and slightly salty-sweet counterpoint that makes each bite utterly irresistible. We highly recommend using a good quality store-bought caramel topping for ease, but ambitious bakers could certainly try a homemade version.
- Toffee Bits: These delightful, crunchy morsels provide a fantastic textural contrast to the soft, moist cake and the creamy whipped topping. Their buttery, caramelized flavor pairs exquisitely with the pumpkin and caramel, adding a sweet, nutty, and slightly chewy finish that makes each bite even more exciting and complex.
- Whipped Topping (or Homemade Whipped Cream): A light and airy whipped topping provides a beautiful, refreshing balance to the richness and sweetness of the cake and its drizzles. It adds a cloud-like finish, a refreshing creaminess, and a subtle sweetness that perfectly completes this decadent dessert.

How to Master Your Pumpkin Poke Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide for Perfection
Making this incredible Pumpkin Poke Cake is surprisingly simple and straightforward, even for novice bakers. The steps are easy to follow, and the results are consistently delicious. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve a perfectly moist, flavorful, and show-stopping dessert that will impress everyone:
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to the recommended 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct, consistent temperature for even baking from the very beginning. Take a standard 9×13-inch baking pan and meticulously line it with parchment paper. For ease of removal, leave a slight overhang on the longer sides; these will act as convenient “handles” to lift the cooled cake out of the pan effortlessly later. Lightly spray the exposed parchment paper with cooking spray to prevent any sticking, guaranteeing a clean release.
- Prepare & Bake the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients listed under the “Cake” section of the recipe: the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, vegetable oil, large eggs, canned pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until it is perfectly smooth, uniform, and absolutely no dry streaks of mix remain. It’s crucial to avoid overmixing at this stage, as excessive agitation can develop the gluten too much and result in a tougher, less tender cake. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan, spreading it to the corners. Bake according to the general directions on your specific cake mix box, typically around 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the exact center of the cake comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool & Expertly Poke: Once baked to golden perfection, carefully remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for approximately 30 minutes. This initial cooling period allows the cake to set slightly and become stable enough for the next step. After 30 minutes, while the cake is still wonderfully warm, it’s time for the signature “poke”! Grab a sturdy utensil such as a firm metal straw, a wooden skewer, or even the rounded handle of a wooden spoon (if it’s thin enough). Carefully and evenly poke holes all over the entire surface of the cake. Aim for holes that are about ¾ inch to 1 inch deep and spaced relatively uniformly, roughly 1 inch apart. These strategically placed channels are absolutely crucial for allowing the sweet liquids to fully saturate and infuse every part of the cake.
- Infuse with Decadent Sweetness: Once the holes are meticulously poked, take your can of sweetened condensed milk and pour it slowly and evenly over the entire surface of the warm, perforated cake. Use a rubber spatula to gently spread the milk, ensuring it flows effortlessly into every single hole, maximizing absorption. Next, drizzle about half of your rich caramel topping over the cake. Again, use your spatula to gently spread it, encouraging it to fill the holes alongside the condensed milk. The residual warmth of the cake will help these indulgent liquids seep down deeply, creating an incredibly moist, flavorful, and gooey foundation. After this infusion, cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator to cool completely. This chilling step is absolutely essential for the liquids to fully absorb and for the cake to set properly, locking in all that moisture.
- Finish with Flair & Chill for Perfection: Once the cake is thoroughly cooled (which can take a few hours, so plan ahead!), retrieve it from the refrigerator. Evenly spread the thawed whipped topping or your freshly made homemade whipped cream over the entire surface of the cake, creating a smooth, cloud-like layer. For an elegant and appealing touch, drizzle the remaining caramel topping over the whipped cream. You can use a spoon for a charming rustic look, or for more precision and artistry, snip a tiny corner off a zip-top bag filled with caramel and pipe thin, decorative lines. Finally, generously sprinkle the buttery toffee bits over the caramel layer. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator. This final chilling step, for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight, is critical for all the flavors to meld beautifully and for the cake to reach its optimal moist, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. When ready to serve, simply use the parchment handles to lift the cake, cut into neat bars, and enjoy every delightful bite!

Elevate Your Cake with Fluffy Homemade Whipped Topping
While a good quality frozen whipped topping is undeniably convenient and works perfectly well, making your own homemade whipped cream for this Pumpkin Poke Cake truly takes it to an unparalleled level of freshness and flavor. The rich, fresh creaminess and delicate sweetness can perfectly complement the dense, sweet cake. Here’s how to whip up a batch of perfect homemade whipped cream:
- Gather Ingredients & Chill Equipment: Before you begin, ensure that your heavy cream, powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar), and pure vanilla extract are all thoroughly chilled. For the best and quickest results, go a step further and chill your mixing bowl (preferably metal) and your whisk attachment in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before you start whipping. Cold equipment significantly helps the cream whip faster and achieve a firmer, more stable peak that holds its shape beautifully.
- Whip to Velvety Perfection: In your chilled stand mixer bowl (or a large, cold bowl if using a hand mixer), combine 1 cup of cold heavy cream, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Begin whisking on low speed to prevent any splattering of the liquid cream, then gradually increase the speed to medium-high. Continue whipping the mixture until firm peaks form. This typically takes about 2-4 minutes, depending on the power of your mixer and the initial temperature of your ingredients. You want the whipped cream to be stable enough to hold its shape crisply when the whisk is lifted, but it should still remain light and airy. Exercise caution and watch closely – it can quickly turn from perfect whipped cream into butter if over-whipped!
- Optional Flavor Boosts: For an extra festive touch that harmonizes beautifully with the cake, consider adding a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon, a whisper of freshly grated nutmeg, or even a small dash of pumpkin pie spice to your homemade whipped cream. These subtle additions will further enhance and echo the autumnal flavors already present in the cake, creating a more cohesive and complex flavor profile.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Pumpkin Poke Cake
Achieving pumpkin poke cake perfection is simpler than you might think, especially with a few insider tricks and best practices. Keep these expert tips in mind to ensure your dessert turns out beautifully, deliciously, and perfectly every single time:
- Ensure the Cake is Fully Cooled Before Topping: This tip is absolutely paramount and cannot be stressed enough! Before you even think about spreading that delicious, fluffy whipped cream or homemade whipped topping, make absolutely sure your cake is completely and thoroughly cool, ideally even chilled. Applying a dairy-based topping to a warm or even slightly warm cake is a recipe for disaster; the topping will melt, creating a messy, soupy, and unappetizing layer instead of a light, fluffy cloud. Patience here is truly key for a picture-perfect presentation.
- Poke Holes Evenly and Generously: The entire premise and success of a poke cake lie in its ability to absorb the sweet liquid infusions. Use a sturdy, thin utensil like a metal straw, a wooden skewer, or even the narrow handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes that are uniform in size and depth. Crucially, ensure they are spaced relatively evenly across the entire surface of the cake, roughly 1 inch apart. This meticulous approach ensures that the sweetened condensed milk and caramel soak into every single part of the cake, creating an consistently moist and intensely flavorful experience with every bite, without dry patches.
- Achieve Clean Cuts for Elegant Slices: To present your gorgeous Pumpkin Poke Cake beautifully and professionally, especially if serving it for a special holiday occasion or gathering, clean, neat cuts are absolutely essential. For the best results, use a long, very sharp knife. Before each cut, dip the knife in hot water, wipe it completely clean and dry with a paper towel, then make your slice. Repeat this precise process – warm, wipe, cut – before each individual slice. This technique meticulously prevents the creamy topping from sticking to the knife and dragging, which can ruin the appearance, ultimately giving you neat, appealing, and perfectly defined slices every time.
- Avoid Overmixing the Cake Batter: When combining your dry and wet cake ingredients, mix only until they are just combined and appear smooth. Overmixing can significantly develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, denser, and less tender cake texture. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly acceptable and far preferable to an unpleasantly dense cake. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are incorporated.
- Always Use Pure Pumpkin Puree: Double-check your can to ensure you are indeed using 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains various spices and sweeteners, which would significantly alter the carefully balanced and intended flavors of this specific recipe, leading to an overly spiced or sweet result.
- Adjust Spices to Your Personal Liking: While the recipe provides specific amounts for ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, feel completely free to adjust them to your personal taste preference. If you adore a more pronounced, bolder spice flavor, you can confidently add a little extra. Conversely, if you prefer a milder spice profile, you can slightly reduce the amounts.
- Chill Thoroughly for Best Texture: The final chilling step (4 hours minimum, but ideally overnight) is not just a suggestion; it’s a critical part of the recipe. This extended refrigeration time allows the cake to fully absorb the liquids, for the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully, and for the entire cake to set into its optimal moist, stable, and perfectly scoopable consistency. Don’t rush this step!
Storage and Make-Ahead Brilliance for Pumpkin Poke Cake
This Pumpkin Poke Cake is truly a fantastic make-ahead dessert, making it an absolute lifesaver for holiday entertaining, potlucks, or busy weeks when you need a delicious treat ready to go. To store it properly and maintain its freshness, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it promptly. The beautiful thing about this cake is that the flavors actually deepen and meld together even more beautifully overnight, making it taste even better the next day! It will maintain its deliciousness and moist texture for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. We generally do not recommend freezing this cake once it has been topped with whipped cream, as the delicate texture of the cream can unfortunately change and become watery upon thawing, affecting the overall quality and presentation of the dessert.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Pumpkin Poke Cake
Beyond its undeniable deliciousness, this Pumpkin Poke Cake offers several compelling reasons to become your new favorite go-to fall dessert, gracing your table year after year:
- Irresistibly Moist & Tender: The signature poke cake method, combined with the inherent moisture from pumpkin puree and the tenderizing effect of instant pudding mix, guarantees an incredibly moist, luscious, and tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth with every single bite.
- Rich & Authentic Autumnal Flavors: A harmonious and perfectly balanced blend of natural pumpkin, warm ground cinnamon, and fragrant pumpkin pie spice creates a deeply inviting and comforting flavor profile that flawlessly captures the very essence of the fall season.
- Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The decadent caramel and creamy sweetened condensed milk provide a deep, luxurious sweetness that is beautifully complemented and contrasted by the light, airy whipped topping and the delightful, buttery crunch of the toffee bits, preventing it from being overly sweet.
- Effortlessly Easy & Convenient: Starting with a simple yellow cake mix makes this recipe incredibly accessible and approachable for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. The straightforward steps lead to impressively delicious results without requiring extensive effort or specialized baking techniques.
- The Ultimate Make-Ahead Dessert: This cake actually tastes even better the day after it’s made, allowing all the rich flavors to fully meld and deepen. This invaluable characteristic allows you to prepare it entirely in advance, offering a stress-free dessert solution for any holiday gathering or special event.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Its comforting, familiar flavors and delightful interplay of textures make this Pumpkin Poke Cake a guaranteed hit and a beloved favorite at any family gathering, potluck, Thanksgiving dinner, Halloween party, or any festive autumnal occasion. Everyone will ask for the recipe!
Creative Variations & Customizations for Your Pumpkin Poke Cake
While this Pumpkin Poke Cake recipe is absolutely perfect and delicious as written, don’t hesitate to unleash your inner chef and get creative! You can easily customize it to suit your personal taste, specific occasion, or dietary preferences. Here are some inspiring ideas for variations and customizations:
- Spiced Whipped Cream: For an extra layer of warm, inviting flavor, consider infusing your whipped topping. Add a small pinch of ground cinnamon, a tiny dash of freshly grated nutmeg, or a little more pumpkin pie spice directly to your heavy cream before whipping it.
- Rich Cream Cheese Frosting: If you prefer a richer, tangier, and more substantial topping as an alternative to the lighter whipped cream, a luscious cream cheese frosting is an excellent choice. Its slight tartness pairs absolutely beautifully with the sweet pumpkin flavors.
- Nutty Crunch Additions: Instead of or in addition to the classic toffee bits, sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or even candied almonds on top of the cake. These nuts will provide a different, satisfying kind of crunch and a wonderful earthy flavor.
- Decadent Chocolate Drizzle: For those who adore the classic pumpkin-chocolate combination, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a rich chocolate syrup over the whipped cream and caramel can add a delightful, indulgent dimension.
- Espresso Kick for Coffee Lovers: For an intriguing twist and to deepen the warm spice notes, you can add a small amount (1-2 teaspoons) of instant espresso powder or very finely ground coffee to the cake batter. It subtly enhances the flavors without making the cake taste overtly like coffee.
- Alternative Cake Bases: While a yellow cake mix works wonderfully, a spice cake mix could further amplify and deepen the autumnal flavors, offering an even more intense spiced experience. A white cake mix could also be used for a slightly milder base, allowing the pumpkin to shine brighter.
- Butterscotch Indulgence: For a different sweet and buttery note, consider substituting some or all of the caramel topping with a rich butterscotch topping. This adds a distinct flavor profile that still complements the pumpkin beautifully.
- Coconut Delight: For a tropical twist, sprinkle some toasted shredded coconut over the whipped cream along with or instead of the toffee bits. The combination of pumpkin and coconut is surprisingly delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Poke Cake
To help you perfect your Pumpkin Poke Cake and answer any lingering questions, here are some commonly asked queries and their detailed answers:
- Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned? Yes, absolutely! If you opt to use homemade pumpkin puree, it’s crucial to ensure it is quite thick and has been thoroughly drained of any excess water. Too much moisture in homemade puree can make the cake batter too wet, affecting the final texture of the cake. Gently pressing it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth can help.
- What if I don’t have instant vanilla pudding mix? Can I omit it? While you could technically omit the instant pudding mix, it plays a significant role in enhancing the cake’s moisture, tenderness, and overall richness. If you choose to leave it out, be aware that the cake might be slightly less moist and tender. To compensate for some of the lost moisture, you might consider adding an extra large egg or a tablespoon or two of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to the cake batter.
- Can I make this Pumpkin Poke Cake gluten-free? Yes, you can certainly adapt this recipe to be gluten-free. Simply ensure that you use a high-quality gluten-free yellow cake mix as your base. Additionally, double-check that all other ingredients, such as the instant pudding mix, spices, and toppings, are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.
- How do I prevent my whipped topping from melting on the cake? The most crucial step is to ensure that the cake is completely and thoroughly cool, or even chilled, before you apply the whipped topping. A warm cake will instantly melt the cream. Furthermore, always keep the finished cake refrigerated until just before you plan to serve it, especially in warmer environments.
- Can Pumpkin Poke Cake be frozen for longer storage? The baked cake itself, *before* you add the condensed milk, caramel, and whipped topping, can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 1-2 months. However, once the cake has been fully assembled with the liquids and especially the whipped cream topping, freezing is generally not recommended. The delicate texture of the whipped cream tends to break down and become watery or grainy upon thawing, significantly compromising the dessert’s quality and appearance.
- What kind of caramel topping is best? Any good quality, pourable caramel sauce or ice cream topping will work well. You can use a thick, rich gourmet caramel or a standard store-bought variety. Just ensure it’s not too thick to pour easily into the holes.
More Delightful Pumpkin Treats: Explore Our Fall Favorites
Desserts
Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe
Desserts
Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies
Desserts
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Desserts
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ball

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
(Based on 1 review)
Pumpkin Poke Cake
Chelsea Lords
A soft, moist spiced cake infused with sweetened condensed milk and rich caramel, crowned with light whipped cream and a sprinkle of crunchy toffee bits. The perfect easy-to-make fall dessert for any occasion!
25 minutes
30 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 55 minutes
24 bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan (or Sheet Pan)
- Hand Mixer (or Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment)
- Wire Cooling Rack
- Metal Straw or Wooden Skewer
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
For the Moist Pumpkin Cake
- Cooking spray
- 1 (13.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (ensure it’s not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice blend
For the Decadent Toppings
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 jar (12.25-ounces) caramel topping, divided
- 1 cup toffee bits (or crushed Heath bars)
- 1 (8-ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, fully thawed (alternatively, 2 cups homemade whipped cream)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing for a slight overhang on the longer sides to create “handles” for easy cake removal. Lightly spray the parchment paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare & Bake the Cake. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the cake ingredients: yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, vegetable oil, eggs, canned pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture until it is smooth and well combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake according to the package directions on your cake mix box (typically 28-32 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 3: Cool & Poke the Cake. Remove the baked cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. While the cake is still warm, use a firm metal straw or a wooden skewer to poke holes evenly all over the surface of the cake. Aim for holes that are approximately ¾ to 1 inch deep and spaced about 1 inch apart. These holes are essential for the liquids to seep in.
Step 4: Infuse with Sweetness. Slowly and evenly pour the sweetened condensed milk over the entire perforated cake, using a rubber spatula to gently spread it and guide it into all the holes. Next, drizzle about half of the caramel topping over the cake and spread it gently as well, encouraging it to fill the holes. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator to cool completely. This chilling step allows the liquids to fully absorb and the cake to set.
Step 5: Finish & Chill for Perfection. Once the cake is completely cooled (this may take several hours), retrieve it from the refrigerator. Evenly spread the thawed whipped topping (or your freshly made homemade whipped cream) over the entire top surface of the cake. Drizzle the remaining caramel topping over the whipped cream for a decorative finish. Finally, generously sprinkle the crunchy toffee bits over the caramel layer. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, before serving. This final chilling step is crucial for the flavors to meld and for the cake to reach its optimal moist and delicious consistency. When ready, use the parchment paper handles to lift the cake from the pan, cut into bars, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Make Clean Cuts: For perfectly neat and smooth slices, use a long, sharp knife. For best results, warm the knife in hot water, wipe it completely clean and dry with a paper towel, then make your cut. Repeat this “warm, wipe, cut” process before each slice to prevent sticking and ensure a beautiful presentation.
Storage: This Pumpkin Poke Cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert. Store it covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen and meld overnight, often tasting even better the next day. It is best enjoyed within 3-4 days of preparation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 679IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg
Please note: Nutrition information is an estimation calculated automatically and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Loved this recipe? Share your thoughts and leave a comment below!
