The Perfect Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooth

Butter pecan praline poke cake crafts ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Sweet southern traditions melt together in this decadent dessert, creating layers of rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Nutty pecans provide a satisfying crunch while creamy elements soften each delectable bite.

Condensed milk seeps through the tender cake, promising a moist and luxurious experience that elevates home baking beyond basic expectations.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert bridges comfort and sophistication with remarkable ease.

Warm kitchen aromas will beckon friends and family to gather around, eager to savor every heavenly spoonful.

Why Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Steals the Show

• Indulge in Decadent Layers: This butter pecan praline poke cake delivers multiple flavor dimensions with its rich coconut pecan frosting, nutty pecans, and sweet condensed milk sauce that creates irresistible moisture throughout every bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: Designed for busy home bakers, this recipe requires minimal preparation steps, uses convenient cake mix, and offers forgiving techniques like poking holes that guarantee a stunning dessert even for novice cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dessert: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or weekend treats, this cake combines classic southern flavors with easy-to-find ingredients that transform a simple cake into an extraordinary culinary experience everyone will adore.
• Textural Sensation: Enjoy a delightful contrast between soft, tender cake, crunchy pecan pieces, and silky sauce that penetrates deep into the cake, creating a mouthwatering blend of textures in every single serving.

Ingredients That Make Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Special

• Yellow Cake Mix: Classic base for quick and moist cake preparation.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains tender and soft.
• Milk: Adds moisture and enhances cakes richness.

• Coconut Pecan Frosting: Adds deep nutty flavor and extra moisture.
• Pecans: Provides delightful crunch and signature Southern nutty taste, select fresh and crisp nuts.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth sauce base with deep flavor.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and creamy texture to sauce.
• Pecans: Adds extra crunch and nutty dimension to sauce, choose whole, unsalted pecans for best flavor.

How to Make a Moist Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Coconut pecan frosting
• Eggs
• Oil
• Milk

Blend ingredients until smooth and well-mixed.

Step 3: Add Pecans to Batter

Gently fold chopped pecans into the cake batter, ensuring even distribution.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 5: Create Poke Holes

While the cake is still warm, use a wooden spoon handle to create holes across the entire cake surface.

Step 6: Create Praline Sauce

• Melting butter
• Adding sweetened condensed milk
• Stirring in chopped pecans

Mix ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth.

Step 7: Drench Cake with Sauce

Carefully pour the warm praline sauce evenly over the poked cake, ensuring sauce seeps into the holes.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. Slice and serve this decadent dessert to friends and family.

Helpful Tips for Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Success

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, high-quality pecans and ensure your coconut pecan frosting is rich and creamy for maximum flavor depth.
• Create Perfect Holes: Use the handle of a wooden spoon to make consistent, evenly spaced holes while the cake is still warm, allowing sauce to penetrate deeply.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Stir the butter and condensed milk sauce constantly to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, silky texture that will soak perfectly into the cake.
• Toast Pecans Beforehand: Lightly toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the batter or sauce to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch.
• Cool Completely Before Serving: Let the cake cool entirely at room temperature to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld, ensuring each bite is moist and delicious.

How to Store & Reheat Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out. The praline sauce might slightly separate, but simply stir before serving to restore its creamy consistency.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating Technique: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness. Alternatively, let the slice sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften naturally.

Sweet Pairings for Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• Sip Sweet Caramel Bourbon: Pair this rich butter pecan praline cake with a smooth bourbon that complements the nutty, caramel notes. The whiskey's warmth enhances the cake's sweet complexity, creating a delightful adult dessert experience.
• Brew Creamy Vanilla Latte: Match the cake with a velvety vanilla latte. The coffee's creamy texture and subtle sweetness perfectly balance the cake's dense, praline-like richness, making each bite more indulgent.
• Scoop Butter Pecan Ice Cream: Top the cake with a generous scoop of butter pecan ice cream. This pairing doubles down on the nutty, caramel flavors, creating a decadent dessert that melts in your mouth with layers of creamy, crunchy goodness.

Unique Ways to Twist Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• Caramel Praline Transformation: Replace sweetened condensed milk with rich caramel sauce, enhancing the cake's depth and adding a golden-brown complexity to the existing butter pecan profile.
• Chocolate Nutty Remix: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cake mix and drizzle chocolate ganache over the pecan sauce, creating a decadent chocolate-pecan combination that elevates the original recipe.
• Southern Bourbon Kick: Splash bourbon into the sauce while cooking, infusing the cake with a warm, spirited undertone that complements the pecans and creates a more mature dessert experience.
• Maple Pecan Dream: Substitute some of the milk with pure maple syrup in the cake batter and sauce, bringing a woodsy sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the toasted pecans.

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake brings Southern charm to dessert tables with its irresistible layers of moist cake, creamy caramel, and crunchy pecans. Rich praline sauce seeps through tender cake, creating a luxurious treat that will transport you straight to New Orleans’ sweet culinary landscape.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) box butter pecan cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ¾ cup vegetable or canola oil

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) can coconut pecan frosting
• 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup (57 grams) butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Garnish:

• ½ cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray or butter.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together the yellow cake mix, coconut pecan frosting, large eggs, vegetable oil, and whole milk until the batter achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
3. Gently incorporate ½ cup of finely chopped pecans into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly and create a level surface.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 33-38 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal to no crumbs.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately create multiple holes across the entire surface using the handle of a wooden spoon or the back of a wooden skewer.
7. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat, then carefully blend in sweetened condensed milk and an additional ½ cup of roughly chopped pecans.
8. Stir the sauce continuously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and heated through.
9. Slowly drizzle the warm pecan sauce over the warm cake, ensuring it seeps into the created holes for maximum flavor penetration.
10. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1-2 hours before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Gathering ingredients beforehand saves time and prevents kitchen stress during preparation.
• Toasting pecans briefly enhances their nutty flavor and adds delightful crunch to the cake.
• Room temperature eggs and milk blend more smoothly, creating a more consistent cake batter.
• Letting the cake cool completely ensures the sauce absorbs perfectly without making the texture soggy.
• Storing leftovers in an airtight container keeps the cake moist and delicious for several days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg