Introduction
Ever wondered if you can capture the magic of the French Quarter in a simple 9 by 13 baking dish? It is a question that many home cooks ask when the Carnival season rolls around and the craving for cinnamon and glaze hits. While traditional yeast breads take hours of kneading and waiting for the dough to rise I am here to tell you that this King Cake Poke Cake Recipe delivers those same iconic flavors with half the effort. As a father of two I know that weeknights are busy but that does not mean we have to skip out on the celebration. I still remember the first time Jana and Adams helped me decorate a cake with those bright purple green and gold sugars. The kitchen was a mess but the smiles were worth every sprinkle.
I am Benjamin Sharif and on my blog Mister Recipes I focus on turning big memories into easy kitchen wins. This particular King Cake Poke Cake Recipe is a total crowd pleaser because it combines the moist texture of a poke cake with the nostalgic aroma of a Louisiana bakery. Whether you are hosting a full Mardi Gras party or just want a special dessert for the kids after school this recipe is designed to be approachable indulgent and most importantly fun to make together as a family.
Why You Will Love This King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
- Incredible Texture: Because we poke holes throughout the cake the sweetened condensed milk seeps deep into every crumb creating a melt in your mouth experience.
- Kid Friendly Fun: Decorating with the traditional Mardi Gras colors is a fantastic activity for little ones like my daughter Jana who loves anything sparkly.
- Time Saving Hack: We start with a boxed mix but dress it up with cinnamon and cream cheese so it tastes like it came from a professional bakery.
- Perfect for Groups: Unlike a traditional ring shaped cake this 9 by 13 format is easy to slice and serve for large gatherings or office parties.
- Make Ahead Magic: This cake actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator.
Ingredients for King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
To get started you will need these pantry staples and a few specific Mardi Gras themed items:
- 1 box white cake mix or yellow cake mix
- Ingredients required by the box mix usually water vegetable oil and large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
- Purple green and gold sanding sugars
For a festive twist you can even hide a small plastic baby inside one of the slices after the cake has cooled just warn your guests before they take a bite. If you are looking for more sweet inspiration check out my creamy cinnamon overnight oats recipe for a breakfast that feels just as indulgent.
How to Make King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
Step by Step Instructions
1. First you need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9 by 13 inch baking pan by spraying it lightly with nonstick cooking spray. This ensures your dessert comes out cleanly Everytime.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix with the eggs oil and water according to the package directions. To give it that signature king cake flavor whisk in the two teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
3. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for the time suggested on the box usually about 25 to 30 minutes. You want a toothpick inserted in the center to come out clean.
4. While the cake is still warm use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes across the entire surface. Space them about an inch apart so the filling can distribute evenly. This is the secret to a perfect King Cake Poke Cake Recipe.
5. Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over the warm cake. Watch as it disappears into the holes. This step makes the cake incredibly moist and rich. Let the cake cool completely on the counter before moving to the frosting.
6. To make the frosting beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar vanilla and heavy cream. Beat on high until the frosting is smooth and spreadable like a creamy cinnamon dream.
7. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake. Finally sprinkle the purple green and gold sanding sugars in alternating diagonal stripes across the top. This gives it the classic look of a New Orleans original.
Pro Tips and Variations
One of my favorite tricks for a King Cake Poke Cake Recipe is to add a swirl of cinnamon brown sugar mixture directly into the batter before baking. Just mix 1/4 cup brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and a little melted butter then dollop it on top and swirl with a knife. For those who want more texture consider adding crushed nuts between the cake and the frosting layers. If you enjoy recipes with a soft bite you might also love my old fashioned butter mints recipe as a side treat.
For a gluten free version simply swap the standard cake mix for your favorite gluten free brand. If you want to make this even faster you can use store bought cream cheese frosting though I always recommend the homemade version for the best flavor. For more inspiration on festive bakes take a look at these tips on authentic Louisiana flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is quite rich so I recommend serving it with a hot cup of chicory coffee or a cold glass of milk. If you are serving this for a brunch it pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a savory breakfast casserole. If you find yourself in the packaging mood you could serve small squares of this cake alongside my brown sugar pop tart cookies for a truly nostalgic dessert table experience.
Storage and Reheating for King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
Because of the cream cheese frosting and the condensed milk you must store this cake in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. In fact many of my readers say it tastes even better on day two as the milk fully hydrates the cake crumb.
If you prefer to eat it at room temperature simply take a slice out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving. I do not recommend reheating the whole cake in the oven because the frosting will melt but a quick 10 second zap in the microwave for an individual slice can make it feel oven fresh.
FAQ about King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
Can I use a yellow cake mix instead of white?
Yes absolutely. A yellow cake mix adds a slightly richer buttery flavor that works very well with the cinnamon and cream cheese components.
What do the Mardi Gras colors stand for?
Traditionally purple represents justice green represents faith and gold represents power. Adding these colors to your King Cake Poke Cake Recipe keeps the tradition alive.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes you can freeze the baked cake before adding the frosting. Once frosted it is harder to freeze without damaging the sugar decorations but it can be done if wrapped very securely.
Final Thoughts on King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Cooking is all about making people happy and there is nothing like a festive cake to bring the whole family together around the table. If you enjoyed this recipe please save it on Pinterest so others can find it or leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Mardi Gras traditions. Do not forget to subscribe to the Mister Recipes newsletter for more family friendly treats and kitchen hacks. Grab your apron and let us get started making some memories together.
King Cake Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with the eggs, oil, and water according to package directions. Stir in the ground cinnamon until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the surface, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over the warm cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat on high until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in alternating diagonal stripes across the top for a classic Mardi Gras look. Optionally, hide a small plastic baby in one slice before serving.
