Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake 🍰🍯
A rich, buttery delight soaked in luscious praline sauce and topped with a creamy frosting — this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is the ultimate Southern-inspired dessert that melts in your mouth with every bite! Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or whenever you’re craving something sweet, nutty, and utterly indulgent.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

  • 1 box butter pecan cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

For the Praline Sauce:

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Topping:

  • 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
  • ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • Caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions:

Prepare the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter pecan cake mix, eggs, water, and oil. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Poke and Soak:
Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk over the entire surface of the warm cake, letting it soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely.

Make the Praline Sauce:
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly (about 3–5 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.
Let the sauce cool for a few minutes, then pour it evenly over the cooled cake. Use a spatula to spread the sauce gently, allowing it to fill the poked holes further and coat the cake surface.

Top it Off:
Once the cake has cooled and the praline sauce is mostly set, spread the whipped topping evenly over the cake.
Sprinkle the toasted pecans over the top for added crunch and flavor.
Drizzle caramel sauce over everything for an extra decadent finish (optional but highly recommended!).

Chill and Serve:
Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to let all the flavors meld beautifully.
Slice, serve, and enjoy the rich, nutty, buttery goodness of this irresistible poke cake!

🍽️ Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Chill Time: 2 hours
🍽️ Makes 12–15 servings — perfect for potlucks, parties, or a sweet family treat!