Easy Fall Poke Cake

Name: Pumpkin Poke Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix.; 15 oz can pumpkin purée.; 2 eggs.; 3/4 cup water.; 1 container cream cheese frosting.; 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice seasoning.; 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed.; 1 cup mini chocolate chips.; 1 cup caramel chips.; Caramel dessert topping for drizzling.; Non-stick cooking spray.

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Starting with a spice cake mix, we're adding pumpkin and filling it with melted cream cheese frosting for extra moisture. Topped with Cool Whip, chocolate chips and caramel, it's an easy fall dessert that tastes like you spent hours making it.

By Clare Greco

Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:07:36 GMT

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A delicious slice of pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and drizzled caramel, surrounded by chocolate chips on a white plate. | recipesbyclare.com

My pumpkin spice poke cake brings fall flavors in every bite. The moist spiced cake gets infused with caramel cream then topped with fluffy whipped cream chocolate and caramel. It's pure autumn comfort perfect for any gathering.

Autumn in a Pan

Warm spices creamy filling and sweet caramel make this cake taste like fall. Easy to make but impressive to serve it's my go-to dessert for seasonal celebrations.

What You Need

Spice Cake Mix: 1 box your base
Pumpkin Purée: 15 oz can pure pumpkin
Eggs: 2 large for structure
Water: ¾ cup
Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 container
Pumpkin Spice: 2 tsp extra warmth
Cool Whip: 8 oz thawed
Chocolate Chips: 1 cup mini
Caramel Chips: 1 cup
Caramel Sauce: For drizzling
Cooking Spray: For the pan

Let's Bake

Get Ready: 350°F start thawing Cool Whip
Mix and Pour: Blend cake mix pumpkin eggs water pour in greased pan
Bake Away: 28-35 minutes until done
Make Holes: Cool briefly poke holes with wooden spoon handle
Melt and Mix: Warm frosting mix in pumpkin spice
Fill and Layer: Pour frosting into holes cool 20 minutes
Top it Off: Spread Cool Whip add chips drizzle caramel
Finish Up: Chill until serving time

A delectable layered dessert featuring pumpkin flavor, topped with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and drizzled caramel. | recipesbyclare.com

Perfect for Fall

This cake brings autumn to your table. The layers of spice cake creamy filling and sweet toppings make every slice special. Serve it chilled for the perfect fall dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is it called a poke cake?: After baking, you poke holes throughout the cake and fill them with liquid toppings (like melted frosting). This makes every bite super moist and flavorful.
→ Can I make this from scratch instead of using a mix?: Yes! Use your favorite spice cake recipe as the base. Just make sure it fits a 9x13 pan and adjust baking time accordingly.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?: Yes, it actually gets better after a day in the fridge. Make up to 3 days ahead and keep refrigerated.
→ What size holes should I poke?: Use a wooden spoon handle for perfect holes - about 1/2 inch wide. Space them about 1 inch apart all over the cake.
→ Can I freeze this cake?: Yes, but freeze before adding the Cool Whip topping. Wrap well and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and top before serving.