Eggnog Poke Cake

Make this festive Eggnog Poke Cake with vanilla cake mix, eggnog, spiced rum, vanilla pudding, and whipped topping. Easy, cozy, and holiday-perfect!

this Recipe

You know how you sometimes show up to a family gathering and everyone’s expecting something special from you? That was me last Christmas. My mom had already nailed the turkey (per usual), my sister brought her Pinterest-perfect charcuterie board, and then there was me… standing there with a store-bought cheesecake. Shame, right?

That’s when I vowed: Next year will be different. And by “different,” I meant showing up with a dessert so good it’d knock everyone’s Christmas socks off. Enter this Eggnog Poke Cake. I threw it together on a snowy afternoon, using whatever I had lying around—leftover eggnog (check), boxed cake mix (you know it), and my secret weapon… rum. Because if the holidays teach us anything, it’s that a little booze makes everything better (well, almost).

The first time I made it, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Maybe it’d be a soggy mess? Maybe it’d crack when I poked holes? It wasn’t perfect (a few uneven holes, but who cares?), but let me tell you—when I served it, my dad literally licked his plate clean. That’s how I knew this cake was a keeper.

Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Poke Cake Recipe?

• It’s ridiculously easy. Like, cake-mix-easy. No shame in shortcuts when they taste this good.
• Tastes like Christmas. You get that creamy eggnog flavor in every bite, with just enough rum to make you feel jolly.
• Feeds a crowd. A 9×13 pan of joy? Yes, please.
• It’s even better the next day. So you can make it ahead and actually enjoy your holiday without stressing over dessert.

Ingredient Notes:

I’m all about using what you’ve got, but here’s a little scoop on the ingredients in this Eggnog Poke Cake:

• Vanilla Cake Mix: You can get fancy and bake from scratch, but honestly? The box mix holds up beautifully and lets you focus on the fun part (the poke!).
• Eggnog: The richer, the better. If you can find a fancy local one, go for it. But even the supermarket stuff does the trick.
• Spiced Rum: Optional. But highly recommended if you want that extra zing. No rum? Use rum extract or skip it if you’re feeding kiddos.
• Vanilla Pudding Mix: It’s what makes this cake moist and luscious. Trust me, don’t skip it.
• Cool Whip (or whipped cream): The light, fluffy topping that makes it look like a winter wonderland.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: They’re like the icing on the cake (literally). Adds warmth and that holiday vibe.

How To Make Eggnog Poke Cake?

Step 1: Prep The Pan and Bake The Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (because we’re not reinventing the wheel here). Grease and flour a 9×13 pan. Mix up your vanilla cake batter just like the box says and bake it until a toothpick comes out clean (about 26-28 minutes). Let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Time to Poke

Once the cake’s cooled a bit, take the handle of a wooden spoon (or something round-ish) and poke holes all over the cake. Don’t overthink it. They don’t have to be pretty. It’s rustic, okay?

Step 3: Mix Up the Eggnog Pudding

Grab a bowl and whisk together two boxes of vanilla pudding, 2 ½ cups of eggnog, and ½ cup of spiced rum (or skip the rum, no judgment). It thickens pretty fast, so don’t wander off.

Step 4: Fill the Holes

Pour that pudding mix over the cake, making sure it seeps into all those holes you so artfully poked. Spread it around with a spatula. It’s okay if it looks messy—it’ll be covered in whipped topping soon!

Step 5: Top It Off

Dollop and spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer. Then sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top like you’re seasoning a cozy winter dream.

Step 6: Chill Out

Pop it in the fridge for a couple of hours, or overnight if you’re being super organized (or if you want to avoid any last-minute dessert panic).

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Cover it tight (foil, plastic wrap, whatever works). It’ll stay happy in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Technically, you can freeze it. But I’ll be honest—I think the texture gets a little funky. If you do freeze it, wrap it well and eat it within a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Variations and Substitutions:

• No Eggnog? Try using milk with a little vanilla and nutmeg. Not exactly the same, but still delish.
• Boozy Boost: Swap spiced rum for bourbon or brandy. You’re an adult, you do you.
• Pudding Swap: White chocolate pudding works if you want a little extra sweetness.
• Toppings Galore: Crushed gingersnaps, caramel drizzle, or even chopped candied pecans… because more is more.

What to Serve with Eggnog Poke Cake?

• A Hot Cup of Coffee or Spiced Tea: Classic. Trust me.
• A Glass of Eggnog (Again!): Why not double down?
• Your Funniest Family Member: Because this cake is made for stories and laughter.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make it ahead?
YES! It gets better the longer it chills. Make it a day ahead and cross dessert off your holiday to-do list.

Is this kid-friendly?
If you skip the rum, absolutely. If not… maybe stick to the gingerbread men for the littles.

Can I use homemade whipped cream?
Sure! Just stabilize it with a little cornstarch or gelatin so it doesn’t get weepy.

If you end up making this Eggnog Poke Cake, I’d love to hear how it goes. Snap a pic, send me a message, or drop a comment. Or better yet, bring it to your next holiday party and be the dessert hero you were meant to be. 

Can’t wait to see what you think!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

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Eggnog Poke Cake

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Indulge, in the heartwarming holiday spirit with this Eggnog Poke Cake. It beautifully combines the comforting flavors of a vanilla cake with the richness of eggnog. Every bite takes you on a journey through a moist and tender cake, complemented by the touch of rum and the gentle whisper of vanilla. The cake is lovingly pierced to allow the eggnog mixture to seep into every crevice creating a symphony of textures—from its pudding-infused crumb to its topping of whipped cream lightly dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg. This Eggnog Poke Cake is more than a dessert; it's a celebration on your plate that captures the true essence of holiday joy and cherished family gatherings, in each delicious slice.

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1 Servings

Ingredients

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• Cooking spray for the pan
• 1 box vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box
• 2 5.1-ounce boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 1/2 cups eggnog
• 1/2 cup spiced rum
• 3 cups whipped topping such as Cool Whip
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

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Instructions

 

Let's get started on making the cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
2. Flour a 9"x 13" cake pan.
3. Follow the instructions provided on the back of the vanilla cake mix box to prepare the batter.
4. Pour the batter into the pan.
5. Bake it for 26 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes.

Now let's move on to making our eggnog pudding:

1. In a bowl vigorously whisk together vanilla pudding mix, eggnog and spiced rum until it thickens.

Once we have everything prepared it's time to assemble our creation:

1. Using the bottom of a spoon poke holes, over the top of our cooled cake.
2. Spread our eggnog pudding mixture over the cake ensuring that it fills up all those holes.
3. Evenly spread whipped topping, over the surface of our cake.
4. To add some flavor and charm sprinkle ground cinnamon and nutmeg over this whipped topping.

Now that everything is complete and looking scrumptious we're ready to serve:

1. Slice up this cake into servings.
2. Enjoy. Savor every bite!

Notes

To turn our loved Eggnog Poke Cake into a gluten-free version you just need to make a few simple substitutions. Start by selecting a gluten-free vanilla cake mix. There are plenty of options available that offer the same light and fluffy texture and delicious vanilla flavor as traditional mixes. When preparing the cake make sure to use a gluten-free flour blend, for dusting your pan to avoid any potential cross-contamination. As, for the pudding mix most vanilla pudding mixes are naturally free of gluten. It's always an idea to double-check the label for any hidden traces. The remaining ingredients – eggnog, spiced rum, whipped topping, cinnamon and nutmeg – are all naturally free of gluten.

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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