Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You’ll Crave

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is the kind of dessert that turns a regular day into a celebration. Moist butter pecan cake soaked in silky caramel and sweetened condensed milk, topped with a rich, nutty praline sauce and a cloud of whipped cream—this cake is indulgent, comforting, and absolutely unforgettable.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, celebrating a birthday, or just need a show-stopping treat for the weekend, this recipe delivers on every level. The flavors are warm and buttery, with layers of texture from the pecans, creamy filling, and soft cake. It’s rich, yes—but not overwhelming—and each bite melts in your mouth.

In this article, we’ll walk through why this cake will become your go-to dessert, outline prep and cook times, detail the ingredients, and guide you step-by-step through the process. We’ll also include pro tips, storage ideas, and frequently asked questions to make sure your baking experience is as smooth as your praline glaze.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Ultra Moist Texture: Sweetened condensed milk and caramel soak into the cake, creating rich, melt-in-your-mouth softness.
2. Layered with Flavor: Toasted pecans, praline sauce, and butter pecan cake form a perfect flavor trio.
3. Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the cake in advance and top it when ready to serve.
4. Easy But Elegant: No complicated steps, but the final result looks and tastes like it came from a bakery.
5. Customizable Toppings: Add chocolate, toffee bits, or caramel drizzle for extra flair.
6. Perfect for Special Occasions: From Thanksgiving to birthdays, this cake fits the occasion.

Each bite of this cake is rich, buttery, and packed with pecan goodness. It’s one of those recipes that quickly earns a permanent spot in your dessert rotation.

Preparation and Cooking Time

Here’s how quickly you can whip up this stunning dessert:

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Cooling/Resting Time: 2 hours (minimum)
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 jar caramel sauce
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Praline Sauce:

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch cake pan with non-stick spray.
Mix and bake the butter pecan cake according to package directions. Once done, remove from the oven and cool slightly for about 10 minutes.

2. Poke the Cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon (or a fork), poke holes all over the warm cake.

3. Soak with Caramel & Milk

Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. Repeat with half of the caramel sauce. Let the cake cool completely.

4. Make the Praline Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth. Let simmer for 3–5 minutes, then stir in chopped pecans. Remove from heat.

5. Add the Praline Layer

Pour half of the warm praline sauce over the cooled cake, spreading it gently to fill the holes. Reserve the rest for topping.

6. Whip the Cream

In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

7. Frost the Cake

Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cake.

8. Final Topping

Drizzle the remaining praline sauce over the whipped cream. Sprinkle with toasted pecans.

9. Chill & Serve

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and set.

How to Serve

Presentation matters, even for a poke cake. Here are a few tips:

• Slice Smartly: Use a warm knife for clean slices.
• Plate Like a Pro: Serve on white dessert plates to highlight the caramel color.
• Add Garnish: A sprig of mint or extra pecans adds elegance.
• With Ice Cream: Serve warm slices (reheated slightly) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a bakery-style experience.

Pro Tips for Success

• Toast the Pecans: Toasting brings out deeper nutty flavor. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes.
• Cool Before Frosting: Never add whipped cream to a warm cake—it’ll melt.
• Use Full-Fat Cream: This ensures stable whipped peaks.
• Drizzle Strategically: Pour praline topping just before serving if you want a glossy finish.

Recipe Variations

1. Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted chocolate over the whipped topping.
2. Toffee Crunch: Sprinkle crushed toffee bits with pecans for a sweet crunch.
3. Maple Version: Swap caramel for maple syrup and add a dash of cinnamon.
4. Individual Servings: Make this in cupcake tins for mini poke cakes!

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store the cake covered in the fridge for 3–4 days.
• Freezing: Freeze the cake without whipped topping for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, then add topping before serving.
• Make-Ahead: You can make the cake and sauce 1 day ahead and assemble the next day.

Special Equipment

You don’t need much to pull this recipe off, but a few tools help:

• 9×13-inch cake pan
• Electric mixer (for whipping cream)
• Wooden spoon or fork (for poking)
• Small saucepan (for praline sauce)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake and poke the cake, add the sauce, and refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Can I use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream?
Absolutely. It’s a quick substitute if you’re short on time.

How do I toast pecans?
Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until golden and fragrant.

Is it okay to use a different cake mix?
Yes, yellow or vanilla cake mix can work in a pinch, though it won’t have the same depth of flavor.

Can I skip the praline sauce?
You could—but it’s the star of the show. If needed, double the caramel instead for a quicker option.

Conclusion

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of rich textures and sweet, nutty flavors. Each slice delivers buttery warmth and caramel goodness, perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights in. With easy steps and bakery-style results, this recipe will quickly become one of your most requested. So grab a fork—and don’t forget to share!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe You’ll Crave

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• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is a decadent dessert with moist butter pecan cake, caramel, sweetened condensed milk, praline sauce, and whipped cream—perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 jar caramel sauce
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch cake pan with non-stick spray.
2. Mix and bake the butter pecan cake according to package directions. Cool for 10 minutes.
3. Poke holes all over the warm cake using a wooden spoon handle or fork.
4. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the cake, then half of the caramel sauce. Let cool completely.
5. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir until smooth, simmer 3-5 minutes, then stir in chopped pecans. Remove from heat.
6. Pour half of the praline sauce over the cooled cake, spreading to fill holes. Reserve the rest.
7. In a bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
8. Spread whipped cream evenly over the cake.
9. Drizzle remaining praline sauce over whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted pecans.
10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Toast pecans for enhanced flavor. Let cake cool completely before adding whipped cream. Use full-fat cream for best results. Add praline drizzle just before serving for gloss.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: butter pecan, praline, poke cake, dessert, caramel