Description

If you love warm, gooey cinnamon rolls but don’t want to spend hours making dough from scratch, this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is about to become your new favorite dessert. 🍰✨

This soft white cake is baked, poked, and soaked with a rich cinnamon-butter sweetened condensed milk filling that seeps into every bite. It’s then topped with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting that tastes just like classic cinnamon roll icing.

Perfect for holidays, potlucks, family gatherings, or anytime you’re craving cozy comfort dessert!

Ingredients

For the Cake

1 box white cake mix (prepared according to package directions)

For the Cinnamon Filling

5 tablespoons butter
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons clear vanilla flavoring (or regular vanilla extract)
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons half and half

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray.
Prepare cake mix according to box instructions.
Pour batter into prepared dish and bake.
Watch closely — cakes often bake faster than box directions suggest.
Allow cake to cool until slightly warm.

Step 2: Poke the Cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, poke holes about ½ inch apart.
Poke while cake is slightly warm for best results.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a heat-safe bowl combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk.
Microwave 1 minute, stir.
Microwave another minute, stir.
Continue heating in 30-second increments until sugar is fully dissolved and smooth.
Slowly ladle mixture evenly over cake, allowing it to seep into holes.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Scrape down bowl.
Reduce speed and add vanilla and half and half.
Add powdered sugar ½ cup at a time.
Increase speed and beat until smooth and fluffy.

Step 5: Frost & Serve

Spread frosting evenly over cake.
Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Notes

Serving Tips

Serve slightly warm for extra gooey texture.
Chill before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped pecans.
Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

Storage Tips

Store covered in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Let sit at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
Freeze (without frosting) up to 2 months.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil for best freshness.