Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake is a dream come true for all lovers of cinnamon rolls. This melt in your mouth recipe starts with a simple box of yellow or white cake mix, followed by a creamy, cinnamon sugar filling and then topped with a scrumptious cream cheese frosting. This super easy cake will be a highly requested family favorite and is a delicious dessert that goes with every season.

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cinnamon roll poke cake

Here’s what you’ll need:

Cake

• 1 box vanilla (yellow or white) cake mix, prepare as directed on the box

Filling Mixture

• 5 Tbsp butter
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2½ tsp vanilla extract
• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Frosting

• 8 oz of cream cheese, softened
• 8 Tbsp (½ cup) butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla flavoring
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp half and half cream 

Let’s make a cinnamon roll poke cake!

Bake the cake as directed on the box. While the cake is still warm (not hot), take the end of a wooden spoon and poke holes in the cake about 1 inch apart. As you can see in the pic above, mine are further apart, but for my next one, I’ll make them closer together.

the filling

Using a heat-safe bowl, add the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk. Then you whisk together all the ingredients are until they are combined. Put the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute, remove and stir. Then, heat for another 30 seconds and stir well, making sure all brown sugar clumps have been removed. However, if you still have some lumps, you can return the filling to the microwave for 30-seconds more until all lumps are removed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You want the filling mixture to be in a pourable consistency like the pic on the left. You’ll pour over the whole cake, making sure it’s completely covered. The filling will soak into the holes.

 

The frosting

Next, using a hand or stand mixer on low to medium speed, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Scrape the sides of the mixing bowl.

Now, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the vanilla flavoring, half & half and the powdered sugar, a ½ cup at a time.

Return mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth & creamy.

Spoon the frosting on top of the cake using a silicone spatula and smooth the frosting. Once I smooth it  onto the cake, I create little swirls in the frosting to make it look pretty, but this step is totally optional.

Serve & enjoy!

This cake is great for potlucks, holidays or when you have guests coming to visit AND it also goes great with a cup of coffee or a big glass of cold milk! I think I could even eat this one for breakfast!  It’s a crowd pleaser, for sure!

**Tips**

• If you can, make ahead of time. This will give the filling time to really soak into the and all the delicious flavors to meld.
• Set your butter and cream cheese out at least 2 hours before making, allowing them to come to room temperature and soften.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

here are a few other great recipes to try:

Easy No Bake Banana Pudding

Chocolate Depression Cake

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

If you are needing more easy, frugal & delicious recipe ideas, click on the ‘In the kitchen’ tab’ for a whole slew of ideas! All of my recipes have been family tested & approved!

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