A Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake is a perfect fall dessert idea that is sure to please the crowd. Add your favorite candy to the top and enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake
Fall is definitely in the air … on the internet … and in my kitchen! One of the best things about Fall is all the pumpkin goodness. I am not gonna lie, Spring may be my favorite season (I love watching the flowers bloom and the weather seems perfect) …. but by far, Fall has some of my favorite foods and flavors – and is a close second in terms of my favorite season!
There was a very valuable lesson learned earlier this year – apparently they don’t stock canned pumpkin year-round at our local Wally World .. or any other store here in Eastern NC for that matter. I have never lived in such a place. I went to buy canned pumpkin in February of this year and was told “it’s a seasonal item” …. really?! This year I am stock-piling it like it’s nobody’s business. I will not make the same mistake twice.
Poke Cakes are not new to the scene …. they’ve been around for awhile. I’ve seen tons of variations, but I’ve never seen a Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake …. and that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today! If you love pumpkin and spice, you are going to *L*O*V*E* this cake. It’s like eating pumpkin pie in cake form!! Soooo good!
Oh, and if you live in a weird place like Eastern NC, where they don’t sell canned pumpkin year-round, you might wanna stock up too …..
Other recipes you may enjoy
Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix (I used Betty Crocker) 15.25 oz.
- 1 can 100% pure pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 15 oz.
- 3 large eggs
- 2 boxes Jell-o brand pumpkin spice instant pudding mix 3.4 oz. each
- 4 cups milk
- 1 container whipped topping, thawed 8 oz.
- Pumpkin candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place the cake mix, pumpkin and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Mix on medium speed for another minute or two or until the mixture looks well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Level out with the spatula.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center tests clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you prepare the pudding mixture.
- Using the handle part of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the cooled cake. There is no set number of holes, but you want plenty of nooks and crannies for your pudding to fill.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mixes and milk. Whisk until the pudding mix completely dissolves. Pour the pudding over the cake – filling the holes as best you can. Level out the pudding and gently push pudding into the holes to fill. Cover your cake pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until the cake has cooled completely and the pudding is set up. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. If desired, top with pumpkin candies to decorate. Store cake covered, in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This is a great technique to learn because then you can select any flavor of cake and pudding to make your own combination!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on October 13, 2012. Updated on April 22, 2021.
Doesn't that look delicious! I think we're all in the autumn mood for pumpkin anything right now! 🙂
Lovely looking cake, and I'd definitely love a slice or two 🙂
I want to try this cake but I am having a difficult time finding the pumpkin pudding. Have to keep looking.
WaMart has it but seems to be in short supply. I bought several boxes to carry through the holidays. Good luck
Yes, I found mine at Walmart!
I hope I can find Pumpkin Pudding, I will keep looking. If I make this I will feature it on my blog.
Its spring,not fall, but I just came across this recipe and could not wait! I could not find pumpkin pudding so I used french vanilla pudding and added 4 tsp pumpkin pie spice! It was wonderful!!
It looks dreamily good. 🙂
Oh my gravy. I want this cake! It looks absolutely delish, Jamie!!
Fall flavors are my favorite – and this cake has them all 🙂 Thanks for sharing your great idea 🙂
Thank you for linking up at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. This cake looks so yummy!
LOVE poke cakes! Great recipe and I'm wondering where I can find the pudding?
MEIJERS
I found mine at Walmart!
I agree about Fall food/flavors. Nothing beats it. I bet this cake smelled absolutely wonderful while baking. Thanks for linking.
This looks SO delicious! I just love pumpkin recipes, especially now that the weather is getting a bit brisk. 🙂 Feel free to stop by and link this up with my "Try a New Recipe Tuesday." I'd love to have you join us! 🙂 Many blessings, Lisa
That's crazy that you can't find pumpkin year round at your store. I would stock pile too! Looks delicious and I love those pumpkin candies. I don't know why but they taste better to me than candy corn even though they're pretty much the same thing.
How cute is this! I found you through The Mandatory Mooch. I will definitely be back and hope you'll come share at my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/10/farm-girl-blog-fest-4.html
You had me at pumpkin. When I saw the picture I thought I might be in trouble. When I saw the ingredients list I KNEW I was in trouble. Pumpkin Pudding? My FAVORITE! So sad it's only sold this time of year. I always stock up on it. The cashier at my local walmart thinks I'm a nut. I'd love for you to come by and share this at our Monday Mixer at Whimsically Homemade.http://whimsicallyhomemade.blogspot.com/2012/10/mixer-monday-5.html
This looks divine! I love the idea of it being a poke cake…thanks Jamie for sharing at mix it up Monday 🙂
Yum! You're right…last year, I resorted to making my own pumpkin puree because it was no where to be found! You better bet I pick up at least three cans every grocery trip now ! Thanks for sharing at MTM!
Wonderfully delicious looking!!! Thanks so much for sharing it on Manic Monday. I pinned this and tweeted it too 🙂
sounds fabulous!!! yum!
Jamie, we will just love this cake! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Fall does have the best flavors and smells:-) It is my all time favorite season. Love the pumpkin spice poke cake…now I wish I had picked up another box of that pudding the other day. Oh, and I'm a pumpkin stash piler too:-)
I love your recipes! Thank you for sharing them with us at Cast Party Wednesday! ~Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain~
Thanks for sharing with us at FFF. great recipe
Dawn host for FFF and fellow blogger
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
This sounds delicious. Wish I could find that pumpkin spice pudding here. I'd love to give the recipe a try.
I love how simple this cake is and so seasonal too. thanks for putting it up on foodie friday.
Nuce twist on pumpkin cake, Jamie! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
WOW, that looks so yummy! I love this time of year!
Looks beautiful AND delish!! I can't believe NC doesn't have canned pumpkin year round? You should move to VA! 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Foodtastic Friday!
Yum! I love poke cakes! If you haven't already, I'd love for you to link up for the #pumpkinpatchhop http://jugglingactmama.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkin-patch-blog-hop.html?m=1
Good morning 🙂 I just wanted to pop by and let your know that your cake is one of the featured posts in this weeks Manic Monday
http://bobbiskozykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-cant-believe-that-it-is-almost.html
So glad you linked up! 🙂 Added to the pumpkin board on Pinterest – can't wait to try this!
Oh my, Here is another recipe I'll be adding to my printed stack! This will definitely be going in the have to make stack. I try all the pumpkin recipes I print. This looks delicious. Thanks for sharing
Michelle
This pumpkin spice poke cake looks delicious! We are so happy that you linked up to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday!" Hope to see you back soon! -The Six Sisters
WOW! Pinned. Might have to make this for Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!
This looks so moist! I seriously LOVE poke cakes! Great recipe, Jamie! Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing Jamie! I love a good poke cake and I love pumpkin this time of year. This has both! Yes, please!
Thanks for linking up to the Life of the Party! Im going to feature this tomorrow in a fall dessert roundup!
This looks delicious! Stopping by from the Recipe Sharing Monday hop. Definitely trying this one over the weekend.
I also cannot find that flavor of pudding in Charleston SC. Anyone close to here know where I can find it?
I found mine at Walmart in the seasonal baking section. I hope that helps!
Looks so good! I will have to try this!
I would love if you would link up with me and share!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Making these tonight, but in cupcake form.. Can't wait, its going to be a long day. Anxious to get in the kitchen. I have all the ingredients! Your cake looks perfect……………Andi @thewednesdaybaker
Oh wow, this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Hey Jamie! I make a pumpkin spice cake but have never done it as a poke cake-love this! Definitely going to try this way! Thanks for sharing at Share Your Stuff Tuesdays 🙂
Pumpkin lovers rejoiced with this recipe Jamie! I'll keep and eye for that pudding over here and share it with my family in the coming holidays, thank you for joining us at the Fluster Buster Party.
Hi Jamie!! I love this cake!! It's perfect for the holidays! I'm adding this recipe to my Special Cake & Pie Recipes for the Holidays Round Up. It's going live tonight!!
That is crazy that you can't get pumpkin year round! Isn't that the point of canning things?
Speaking of crazy, this cake looks crazy good! I love pumpkin spice, so this baby is right up my alley!
My hubby loves poke cake and pumpkin. This is a must-make for us!
What a yummy looking dessert Jamie! I love pumpkin everything!!
I thought for the longest time I didn't like poke cake, but I tried one recently and loved it! This flavor sounds delicious, Jamie!
What can I use for pudding as our Walmart doesn't carry it?
I would try a homemade version of the pumpkin pudding! Here's a link that will help – https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/28454/quick-pumpkin-pudding/