Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Name: Banana Poke Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 165 min
Ingredients: 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix; 3 large eggs (or as called for on the box); 1 cup water (or as called for on the box); ½ vegetable oil (or as called for on the box); 5.1 ounce instant banana pudding mix; 2 ¼ cups milk; 8 ounce frozen whipped topping (thawed and divided (we used cool whip)); 8 ounce cream cheese (room temperature); 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk; vanilla wafers (as desired, for topping); bananas (optional topping)

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Everyone loves banana pudding and poke cakes, and this Banana Pudding Poke Cake recipe combines them both into one amazing dessert. Yellow cake (made from a box mix) is poked and filled with a creamy mixture of banana pudding, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk. Add a Cool Whip layer and ‘Nilla wafers on top for an incredible dessert that’s perfect for potlucks and holidays!

Banana pudding poke cake topped with fresh banana and nilla wafers.

This delicious banana pudding poke cake combines the classic comfort of banana pudding with the fun surprise of a filled cake. And it’s a great make-ahead recipe because the flavors and texture only get better when you prepare it the day before and let it chill overnight.

If you’re looking for a failproof dessert to take to a party or potluck, this is it. Seriously, it disappears in no time!

The best part? It is so darn easy. Start with a box cake mix, bake the cake, poke it with holes, and fill it with creamy banana pudding combined with cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping. Your friends and family will be begging you for the recipe!

If poke cakes are your weakness, you don’t want to miss my other recipes. Lemon Jello Poke Cake and Strawberry Jello Poke Cake are terrific summertime desserts with their bright, fruity flavors. This Snickers Poke Cake is super decadent with loads of chocolate and caramel flavor. And my Baileys Poke Cake is packed with creamy, chocolate-y goodness.

For now, let’s get started on this irresistible banana poke cake with pudding.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Yellow Cake Mix — Use your favorite brand of yellow cake mix. Read the box instructions on the back to find out many eggs and how much oil and water to use to bake it.
Cream Cheese — Let it soften to room temperature. It adds a bit of a tangy flavor to the pudding mixture to help balance out the sweetness.
Sweetened Condensed Milk — This sweetens and smooths the filling.
Whipped Topping — Cool Whip makes the filling lighter and fluffier. Use any brand of frozen whipped topping you like, but let it thaw first in the fridge.
Instant Banana Pudding Mix — For that sweet banana pudding flavor! Get the big 5.1 ounce box and make sure it’s instant pudding mix, not the cook and serve kind.
Milk — Combine whole milk with the pudding mix to make the filling pourable and creamy.
Vanilla Wafers — You can’t have a banana pudding-themed dessert without these crunchy cookies!
Fresh Bananas — They’re optional, but for that authentic banana pudding feel, top your cake with fresh sliced bananas right before serving.

Equipment You’ll Need for This Delicious Poke Cake

To make this easy banana pudding poke cake, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:

Measuring cups
Mixing bowls
Wooden spoon
Hand mixer
Whisk
Rubber spatula

How to Make Banana Pudding Poke Cake

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Whip up your yellow boxed cake mix in a large mixing bowl as instructed on the box, and bake it in a 9×13 baking dish. Once it’s baked, let the warm cake cool down for about 15 minutes.

Two image collage of cake mix ingredients in a mixing bowl and the combined cake batter poured into 9 x 13 baking dish.

Step 2: Grab a wooden spoon and use the wooden spoon handle to poke some nice, big holes all over the top of the cake. Give the spoon a little wiggle to make sure the holes are big enough and ready for that delicious filling.

Rectangular yellow cake with holes poked throughout golden brown top.

Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the banana pudding mix with the milk. Fold in a third of the Cool Whip to make it extra fluffy. Set aside.

Two image collage of milk and banana pudding mix in two separate bowls and banana pudding combined with cool whip in a large bowl.

Step 4: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together until they’re smooth and well combined. Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine.

Two image collage of cream cheese in large bowl of sweetened condensed milk and the large bowl with the cream cheese mixture combined and pudding added.

Step 5: Pour the pudding and cream cheese mixture over the cake. Use a spatula to gently push the filling into the holes and spread the pudding layer evenly across the cake.

Cake topped with cream cheese pudding mixture spread into an even layer.

Step 6: Dollop the rest of the whipped topping over the cake, gently spreading it to create a smooth layer. Top with whole vanilla wafers or sprinkle some crushed vanilla wafers on top for that extra crunch.

Whipped cream and nilla wafer topped poke cake The cookies are placed on top to create a border around the perimeter and vanilla wafer crumbs are scattered in the center.

Step 7: Pop the cake in the fridge for at least two hours (or overnight) to let it chill and set. Add slices of banana on top of this delicious cake just before serving, if desired. Enjoy!

Banana poke cake with banana pudding, nilla wafers, cool whip, and slices of fresh banana.

Storing and Freezing Banana Pudding Cake

Refrigerator: Keep any leftover banana pudding poke cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out.

Freezing instructions: Do not add the whipped topping layer or vanilla wafers to the top of the cake if you plan on freezing it. Just prepare the cake up to the point of adding the pudding mixture. Refrigerate the cake for a couple of hours before wrapping in plastic wrap and freezing.

If you’re going to freeze individual slices of cake, cut it into slices first, and then flash freeze the cake for 2 hours. Wrap the frozen cake in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe container, freezer bag, or wrap in aluminum foil. It will keep this way for up to 3 months.

Tips and Tricks for the Ultimate Banana Cream Poke Cake

When poking holes in the cake, make sure they’re evenly distributed so the filling reaches every part of the cake for consistent texture and flavor.
Softened cream cheese blends more easily with the other ingredients. Take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before starting the recipe.
To prevent browning, add fresh banana slices as a garnish right before you serve the cake.
If you adore Cool Whip, feel free to double up on the amount, using one container for the filling and another for the topping.
Can’t find a 6-serving size box of pudding mix? Use two 3.4-ounce boxes and increase the milk to 3 cups for the right consistency.
To crush the vanilla wafers, put them in a zip-top baggie and roll it with a rolling pin to crush the cookies. You can also use a rubber mallet or food processor to crush them.
Use a banana cake mix instead of yellow if you really want to amp up the banana flavor.

Slice of banana pudding poke cake being removed with a spatula.

Additions and Variations

Make it with chocolate cake. Swap out the yellow cake mix with a chocolate one to get that classic chocolate-banana flavor combination.

Add nuts. Top the cake with chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Make it extra sweet by sprinkling mini chocolate chips over the Cool Whip layer.

Drizzle with caramel. Bananas and caramel are so good together. Try a drizzle of caramel sauce over your cake!

Add some spice. Add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter to give it a nice banana bread flavor.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe FAQ

Why is it called poke cake?

Poke cake gets its name from the process of poking holes into the baked cake. These holes are then filled with a glaze or creamy filling, which then seeps into the cake to create a moist, tender texture and infuse it with flavor.

Why is my poke cake soggy?

A poke cake may get soggy if the filling has too much liquid or if too much filling is poured over the cake. To avoid this, make sure you’re using the correct amount of filling specified in the recipe and that you’ve measured your liquids correctly using a liquid measuring cup.

How many holes should you poke in a poke cake?

There is no specific number of holes to poke in a poke cake. It will vary depending on the size of your cake and the type of filling you’re using. Try to make the holes evenly spaced, about 1 inch apart so the filling gets evenly distributed throughout the cake.

Can you make poke cake a day ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this banana poke cake recipe a day in advance. In fact, that will help the filling to set properly and let the flavors meld together. Just make sure to store the cake in the refrigerator, tightly covered, until you’re ready to serve it. Don’t add the bananas until last minute.

What’s the best way to poke holes in a poke cake?

I find using the handle of a wooden spoon works best. It creates holes that are perfectly sized for a thicker filling like pudding. However, if you’re making a poke cake with a glaze, use a wooden skewer to poke holes instead.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Yes, you can use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip but keep in mind that it doesn’t keep as well. I prefer Cool Whip because it’s stabilized and stays light and fluffy for days. If using homemade whipped cream I recommend that you either stabilize it or prepare the cake the same day that you will be serving it.