Banana Cream Cake is moist and delicious but this Banana Cream Poke cake takes it to next level moistness and a wonderful creamy flavor that will make this your favorite banana cake ever.
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The Banana Cream Cake recipe is like a mashup of a banana cream pie and banana bread. It is super easy to make and is bursting with real banana goodness. Perfect for your next party or get together.
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What We Love About This Recipe
The texture and the flavor of this cake is exceptional. It really is
- 30 Minute Bake: Truly, it is quick and super easy.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the fridge.
- Family Friendly: If your family are banana fans, then they will really love this cake.
- Makes Great Leftovers: It is so moist it is great to have as leftovers.
Ingredient Notes
- Box Cake Mix: 1 Yellow cake mix of your choice.
- Eggs: Three large eggs.
- Butter: salted or unsalted butter.
- Bananas: 2 Overripe bananas mashed.
- Pudding Mix: One box of instant banana pudding.
- Milk: Two cups of the milk of your choice.
Whipped Cream Topping for Frosting
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extracts
- Vanilla wafers, crushed
- Bananas, for garnish
Equipment Needed
How to Make Banana Pudding Poke Cake
These are the basic steps for making banana cream cakes. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: PREP
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees and then grease a 9×13 baking dish.
STEP 2: MIX
Second in the bowl of a stand mixer add the cake mix, eggs, water and butter and then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, mash bananas in a separate bowl and fold bananas into cake batter and stir until combined.
STEP 3: BAKE
Then pour into a prepared 13×9 baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
STEP 4: PUDDING MIXTURE
Use the handle of a wooden spook to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Be careful not to go all the way to the bottom. Next, in a bowl, combine the instant pudding and milk; whisk until combined. Allow pudding to set for about 2 minutes.Pour slightly thickened pudding over the top of the cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, allowing it to fill the holes. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
STEP 5: WHIPPED TOPPING
Meanwhile, add whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer; Whip cream till soft peaks form. Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until thoroughly mixed. Spread the whipped cream on top of the chilled cake.
STEP 6: FINISH
Finally, top with crushed vanilla cookies and garnish with ripe banana slices.
Prep and Storage Tips for Best Banana Cakes
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Make the cake layer in advance and wrap well.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to a week wrapped well in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freeze the cake in an airtight container or wrapped well for up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Banana Poke Cake
First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the unpeeled bananas on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the baked bananas cool, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon and mash.
Indeed, cool whip whipped topping can replace the frosting layer for this banana poke cake.
Poke holes through the cake about 1 inch apart. If there are too many the cake will be too moist; if they’re too far apart, there may not be enough filling throughout the cake
Of course, because the cake has dairy, it will need to be refrigerated.
Expert Tips for Making This Banana Poke Cake with Pudding Recipe
- Add Cinnamon: Dust the cake with a little cinnamon.
- Nuts: Crumbled walnuts on top of the cake add a nice crunch to this Banana Poke Cake recipe.
- Different Cake: Try using a banana cake mix such as the Dolly Parton One.
- Alternate Frosting: Feel free to add a cream cheese frosting to the poke cake.
- Serving: I add the crushed cookies and banana garnish to the cake slices as I’m serving them. This way the cookies don’t get soggy and the bananas stay fresh.
What to Serve with Banana Cream Poke Cake
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Banana Cream Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 2 bananas, mashed (use overripe bananas)
- 1 3.4 oz box instant banana pudding
- 2 cups milk
Whipped Cream Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup Vanilla wafers, crushed
- Bananas, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add the cake mix, eggs, water and butter.
- Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mash bananas in a separate bowl.
- Fold bananas into cake batter and stir until combined.
- Pour into prepared 13×9 baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Use the handle of a wooden spook to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Be careful not to go all the way to the bottom.
- In a bowl, combine the instant pudding and milk; whisk until combined.
- Allow pudding to set for about 2 minutes.
- Pour slightly thickened pudding over the top of the cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, allowing it to fill the holes.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer; Whip cream till soft peaks form.
- Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until thoroughly mixed.
- Spread the whipped cream on top of the chilled cake.
- Top with crushed vanilla cookies and garnish with banana slices. (see note)
Expert Tips
- Add Cinnamon: Dust the cake with a little cinnamon.
- Nuts: Crumbled walnuts on top of the cake add a nice crunch to this Banana Poke Cake recipe.
- Different Cake: Try using a banana cake mix such as the Dolly Parton One.
- Alternate Frosting: Feel free to add a cream cheese frosting to the poke cake.
- Serving: I add the crushed cookies and banana garnish to the cake slices as I’m serving them. This way the cookies don’t get soggy and the bananas stay fresh.
This is a highly recommended Banana Cream Cake. I made it on a special night and eeeeveryone loved it.
Love this recipe! This will be on my Thanksgiving table for sure!
This was declared a hit at our family dinner on Sunday! They all still love banana cream pie, but this is one of their favorite cakes of all time. It was tender and not too sweet, which I was concerned about. And the whipped cream topping was a perfect finish. Absolutely delicious!
Really loved this banana poke cake recipe! Very easy and quick to make! And it turned out to be so delicious! Highly recommended!