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+ servings
Sliced dessert topped with creamy icing and a swirl of cinnamon glaze.

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake features white cake infused with a buttery cinnamon sugar filling and topped with whipped cream cheese frosting. An easy, crowd-pleasing dessert with classic cinnamon roll flavor in cake form.
12 Servings

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • Cooking spray for greasing
  • 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients required on the package (usually eggs, oil, and water)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of kosher salt

For the Frosting:

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cake Base

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly for 10 minutes before proceeding.

Create the Cinnamon Filling

  1. While the cake is baking, combine the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Set aside.

Poke and Fill the Cake

  1. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or similar utensil, poke holes evenly across the surface of the slightly cooled cake, spacing them about one inch apart. Pour the cinnamon filling over the cake, using a spatula to help press the mixture into the holes for even distribution. Let the cake rest as the filling soaks in.

Prepare the Frosting

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and lump-free. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until creamy and well combined. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.

Frost and Chill

  1. Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the top of the cake. For best results, refrigerate the cake for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set. Serve chilled or at room temperature as desired.

Notes

To prepare this cake as gluten-free, substitute the white cake mix with a certified gluten-free cake mix, ensuring it contains a similar leavening agent ratio. Verify that all additional ingredients—particularly sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract—are labeled gluten-free, as some brands may include trace gluten or be processed in shared facilities.
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