Banana Pudding Poke Cake (Dang, it's good!)

You know those desserts that after just one bite make you say, "Dang! This stuff is GOOD!"  Well, homemade Banana Pudding Poke Cake is one of those desserts. With all the deliciousness of classic banana pudding delivered up in poke cake form, this creamy comfort food dessert will have you going back for seconds, for sure.
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Oh my word, our family is in love with this Banana Pudding Poke Cake. When I first whipped up this creamy comfort food cake, it was definitely infatuation at first sight. -- That then quickly turned to true love at first bite. 

Let's just say the first time I made it, I baked up a full-sized pan on a Friday afternoon, and it was gone before dinnertime on Sunday. -- Completely gone with not a single crumb left.

This Banana Pudding Poke Cake is a classic poke-style cake, with all the traditional add-ins of classic homemade banana pudding. It begins with a white boxed cake mix as its base, baked with mashed banana in it to begin bringing in fabulous banana flavor.

Once baked, the cake is topped with homemade vanilla custard, sliced bananas, whipped cream, and crumbled vanilla wafers. -- Delivering up all the deliciousness of classic banana pudding in a tasty and fun poke cake form.

Admittedly, Banana Pudding Poke Cake does take several steps to assemble, but the tasty result is well worth the time and effort.

What's to Love About This Recipe:

• Banana pudding deliciousness - Made with banana cake, homemade vanilla custard, bananas, whipped cream, and crumbled vanilla wafers, Banana Pudding Poke Cake delivers up all the deliciousness of classic banana pudding in a fun and tasty poke cake form.
• Creamy comfort food dessert - Layers of vanilla custard and homemade whipped cream make this poke-style cake one deliciously creamy comfort food dessert.
• Crowd-pleasing favorite - A classic poke-style cake with all the add-ins of traditional banana pudding, Banana Pudding Poke Cake is always a hit! It'll keep people coming back for seconds, for sure.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake is a classic poke-style cake, with all the traditional add-ins of classic homemade banana pudding.

How to Make Banana Pudding Poke Cake:

There are several steps to making a Banana Pudding Poke Cake, but in our opinion, the result is worth it.

To make this dang-delicious dessert, start by baking a basic white cake from a cake mix, adding a mashed banana to the batter.

While the baked cake is still warm, poke holes in the top with the handle of a wooden spoon.

Then make a thick homemade vanilla custard like you would if you were making banana pudding from scratch. Cool the custard for 10 minutes, and then pour it over the top of the cake.

Chill the cake and custard for several hours to allow the custard to set and the flavors to meld. 

Next, top the custard with a layer of sliced bananas and then a layer of homemade whipped cream.

Sprinkle the top of the cake with coarsely crushed vanilla wafers and pecans.

Then get ready to dig in for a little banana pudding heaven! -- In extra-delicious poke cake form.

Now, Banana Pudding Poke Cake is one of those desserts that just gets better and better as it sits. While it's definitely good the day it's made, it's even better the next day and even the day after that.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake is one of those desserts that just gets better and better as it sits.

The flavors continue to meld together, and the vanilla wafers on top get softer and softer as the cake sits. I highly recommend giving this cake overnight to meld together -- which means this recipe's got the added convenience of being great to make ahead of time.

If you're like our family with this Banana Pudding Poke Cake, it'll be love at first bite! And it'll keep you going back for seconds ... or even thirds, for sure.

Check out these other tasty banana treats:

• Buttermilk Banana Bread
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Banana Bread
• Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding from Scratch
• Banana Pudding Yum Yum
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
• No-Bake Banana Split Cake
• Banana Pudding Pie
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
• More desserts

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

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Dessert

American

Yield: 12-16 servings

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

You know those desserts that after just one bite make you say, "Dang! This stuff is GOOD!" Homemade Banana Pudding Poke Cake is one of those desserts. With all the deliciousness of classic banana pudding delivered up in poke cake form, this creamy comfort food dessert will have you going back for seconds, for sure.

Prep time: 35 MinCook time: 45 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 3 H & 20 M

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 (15.25 oz.) box white cake mix + ingredients listed on box to prepare cake
• 1/2 c. mashed banana (about 1 medium banana)

For the custard:

• 4 c. whole milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 8 egg yolks

For the bananas, whipped cream, & toppings:

• 1 1/2 c. heaving whipping cream
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 medium bananas, sliced
• 1/2 c. coarsely crushed vanilla wafers
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans

Instructions

Prepare the cake:

1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Add mashed banana and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until combined.
2. Pour batter into a 9x13" baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350℉ until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Let cake cool for 5 minutes. Then use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the warm cake.

Prepare the custard:

1. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in egg yolks and then whisk in milk.
2. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 15 minutes until mixture is bubbly and very thick, like the consistency of thick chilled pudding (It will seem like this thickness will never happen, but it will! The mixture will have just begun to bubble and will turn thick.)
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
4. Let cool 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour over still-warm cake and spread evenly over the top. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.

Prepare the whipped cream & top the cake:

1. Chill a large mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer (or whisk attachment of a stand mixer) in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
2. Remove from the refrigerator and pour whipping cream into the chilled bowl. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.
3. Uncover cake, top with sliced bananas.
4. Spread banana layer with whipped cream.
5. Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers and pecans on top.
6. Can be served immediately or refrigerated until serving time.

TRACEY'S NOTES:

1. If you'd like, you could prepare this with pudding mix and Cool Whip. Use two small packages of instant pudding mix and prepare using the directions on the package for 'Classic Pudding Pie,' resulting in a thicker, more firm pudding. Use a large (16 oz.) container of Cool Whip.
2. If the custard isn't thickening over medium-low heat, bump the heat up just a bit. But be careful! - You don't want it to cook too fast, or to scorch to the bottom of the pan.

Similar Recipes

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding from Scratch

No-Bake Banana Pudding Yum Yum

Banana Pudding Pie

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