Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist vanilla cake studded with cinnamon swirls and gooey pockets, topped with creamy cream cheese frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup milk
04 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Filling
06 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, blend cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until batter is silky and smooth, about 2 minutes.
03 - Transfer batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
04 - While baking, blend brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms a thick paste.
05 - Once baked, remove cake from oven. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes across the warm cake, spaced about 1 inch apart.
06 - Distribute the cinnamon filling evenly over the cake, letting mixture seep into holes. Allow cake to cool completely.
07 - Beat softened cream cheese and softened butter together until fully smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract; mix until frosting is creamy.
08 - Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Cut into generous squares and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This cake packs all the gooey goodness of cinnamon rolls with none of the yeast fuss.
- The cream cheese frosting ends up melting perfectly into the cinnamon pockets—it’s magic every time.
02 -
- Poking shallow holes won’t let the cinnamon filling sink in—press to the bottom without tearing the cake.
- I discovered that frosting before the cake is completely cool leads to a melty (but still delicious) mess.
03 -
- If your kitchen is chilly, warm the cream cheese in your hands for a few minutes for perfectly soft frosting every time.
- A dash of cinnamon sprinkled on top at the end gives a bakery-style finish and an irresistible aroma.