Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is the ultimate hack for anyone who loves the gooey center of a cinnamon roll but doesn’t want to deal with yeast and rising dough. By poking holes into a warm vanilla cake, you create “channels” for a rich cinnamon-butter syrup to seep into, ensuring every bite is moist and spiced. Topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting, it perfectly mimics that iconic bakery flavor in a fraction of the time.
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Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
Ingredients:
| Component | Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Cake | Vanilla or white cake mix | 1 (15 1/4 oz) box |
| Milk | 1 cup | |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1/2 cup | |
| Large eggs | 3 | |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons | |
| Cinnamon Filling | Brown sugar, packed | 3/4 cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 teaspoons | |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 4 tablespoons | |
| Frosting | Cream cheese, softened | 4 oz |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1/4 cup | |
| Powdered sugar | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| Milk | 1/2 tablespoons |
How To Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake:
Step 1: Prep and Mix: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch dish. In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla for 2 minutes. Using milk and butter instead of water and oil makes the cake taste homemade!
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Step 2: Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 28/32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Step 3: The Cinnamon Slurry: While the cake is in the oven, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and 4 tablespoons of melted butter. It should look like a thick, dark syrup.
Step 4: Poke and Pour: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes after baking. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes across the cake about 1 inch apart. Spoon the cinnamon filling slowly over the top, guiding it into the holes. Let the cake cool completely (about 1 hour).
Step 5: Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add milk a teaspoon at a time if it’s too thick to spread.
Step 6: Finish and Chill: Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. For the full “cinnamon roll” look, use the back of a spoon to make decorative swirls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld before slicing.
