Banana Pudding Poke Cake with Cake Mix

This recipe for Banana Pudding Poke Cake with Cake Mix is really the perfect marriage of a moist, doctored-up cake mix and the creamy, dreamy layers of a traditional banana pudding.

Topped with Nilla Wafers and Whipped Topping, this satisfying and easy-to-make cake delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

Why you will love this Easy Banana Poke Cake recipe

Using cake mix is the perfect hack for this recipe. Cake mix takes all of the time and effort to measure the dry ingredients to make this cake!

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• This recipe is basically fool-proof.
• The milk and banana cream pudding make this cake even more moist and flavorful.
• This cake is even better the next day when the flavors are able to meld and the moisture from the pudding settles into the cake.
• Banana Pudding Poke Cake is perfect any time of the year and for sharing with others at gatherings such as tailgates and celebrations.

Have you tried my recipe for Easy Oreo Poke Cake Recipe?

Made with Oreo sandwich cookies, that cake is full of chocolate and cream goodness. Both this recipe for Banana Pudding Cake and that recipe for Oreo Cake are easy recipes made with cake mix and pudding.

To make this recipe you will need banana cream pudding. You can find banana cream pudding here.

How to Make Banana Pudding Cake with Nilla Wafers

• Prep Time 20 minutes. Add refrigerating time.
• Bake Time 30 minutes .
• Servings 16 .
• How to serve : Serve cold (refrigerated) with additional wafers on top.
• Notes: You will need the equipment required to bake the cake (pan etc), wooden spoon, mixing bowl, whisk, and a large spoon.

1. Cake. Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the packaging using a 8x13" pan. Allow the cake to cool for five minutes before moving on the the next step..
2. Holes While the cake is still somewhat warm, use the end of a wooden spoon or your tool of choice, to poke holes, about halfway deep and evenly distributed through the baked cake.
3. Pudding. In a clean mixing bowl, blend together the pudding mix and milk until well combined and lump free. Then quickly pour the mixture over the open holes of your cake. You can use the backside of a spoon to evenly spread the pudding mixture over the top of the cake, making sure that pudding gets into the poked holes. Refrigerate the cake for at least two hours for the ingredients to set.
4. Topping. Evenly spread the thawed whipped topping over the cooled cake. Thes place or sprinkle the crumbs of the remaining wafers over the whipped topping and serve.

Tips for making the best Yellow Cake Mix Banana Pudding Cake.

You want the cake to be soft enough to poke holes into after taking it out of the oven. You can wait about five minutes before poking your holes. If the cake is too warm, it can crumble when poked and if it is too cool it will not absorb the pudding as well.

More helpful tips for you.

1. When poking the holes, make the holes about one and a half to two inches apart from one another.
2. Pour the pudding over the holes immediately after making it. Waiting to add the pudding can cause it to thicken, making it hard to spread and fill holes.
3. While you could serve the cake in as little as a couple of hours after refrigerating it before serving it, it is best to allow the cake to refrigerate overnight so that the pudding can fully integrate with the cake.

FAQ

• Can I make this cake in advance? Really, to enjoy the cake to its full potential, it is best to make it the night before serving it. This gives the pudding time to soak into the sponge and the flavors to meld.
• Why did my pudding not seep into the poked holes? This can happen when the pudding was made too far in advance, causing to thicken and set. This is why it is important to pour the pudding over the cake just after you have combined the ingredients.
• Do I have to use 'Instant Pudding'. For the success of this cake, use only 'instant pudding' as has the ideal texture needed for this cake.

Variations.

• Scoop the baked cake into individual jars or bowls and make this recipe into individual sized portions.
• Place chopped nuts and sliced bananas on the cake before serving for added flavors and textures.
• Make this cake a bit lighter by using a sugar-free cake mix, fat-free pudding, and Greek yogurt.

How to Store Banana Pudding Cake

This cake should be stored without the toppings as these are added just before serving. Cover and refrigerate the cake for up to a few days. Freezing is not recommended.

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