Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (2024)

This easy cinnamon roll poke cake is made with a fluffy vanilla cake which gets poked and filled with rich and creamy cinnamon and brown sugar filling, then topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting. This ultra-rich cinnamon poke cake is the perfect way to recreate cinnamon roll flavors in the form of an easy sheet cake!

Cinnamon Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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This wildly delicious cinnamon roll poke cake is made the same way I make cannoli poke cake, hot chocolate poke cake, and all my other poke cake recipes. And it’s made with similar flavors found in this cinnamon roll cheesecake!

Why is it called poke cake?

A poke cake is called as much because you literally poke holes all over it, usually with a wooden skewer, and pour a filling over the top. The filling soaks in and creates a super moist cake and every bite is filled with a surprise.

Just one slice contains all the caramel flavors from the condensed milk and brown sugar which is only enhanced by the cinnamon.

This simple recipe is full of nostalgia and comfort. One slice of this cake will remind you of Sunday brunch, holiday breakfasts, and freshly baked pastry!

My cinnamon roll loving family LOVED this one.

Why you’ll love Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Tastes Like A Cinnamon Roll – The vanilla cake oozes with a sweet cinnamon filling that elevates the entire flavor of the cake.

Semi-Homemade – Using a box mix for the cake saves you time, so you only have to make the filling and the frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting – Like the rich frosting that tops your favorite cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting is the ideal addition to these cinnamon rolls.

Creamy Filling – The milk, butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar make the cake perfectly moist.

Party-Ready – This stunning cinnamon poke cake tastes as good as it looks! And you can feed a larger crowd with this simple recipe.

Equipment you’ll need

• Baking Dish
• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions.Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.

• White Cake Mix – I use Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake but you can use your favorite brand. Yellow cake works too.
• For the Filling – Unsalted butter, sweetened condensed milk, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Together these mimic the cinnamon swirl in a traditional roll.
• For the Frosting – Heavy cream (keep it cold until the last minute), room temperature cream cheese (so bring it out about 1 hour beforehand), salted butter (also room temperature), powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.

How to make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Step One: Bake the cake according to the boxed cake mix package directions, which usually include water, eggs, and oil. Use a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Once done, allow it to cool for about 20 minutes. Then, use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes into it, being careful not to poke to the bottom.

2. Step Two: Melt the butter in the microwave and then add the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt and whisk together until smooth.

3. Step Three: Pour this filling over the cake. Use a spatula to spread it across evenly, and to help some of it drip into the holes. Set the cake aside for a moment.

4. Step Four: To a large chilled mixing bowl, pour in the cold heavy cream. Using chilled beaters, beat the cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (about 5-10 minutes).

5. Step Five: To another large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, add powdered sugar, and continue beating, followed by the vanilla and salt, and continue mixing until fully combined. Use a spatula to fold the whipped cream until incorporated and then spread it evenly over the cake. Finish with a sprinkling of cinnamon!

What to serve with Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

A poke cake is both impressive and not at all fussy. It’s the perfect thing to serve at potlucks and family dinners. It’s the kind of cake you want with a hot cup of coffee or tea or a cold glass of milk.

Basically, whatever you’d enjoy with a cinnamon bun, you’ll want with this cake!

If you want to add other desserts to your menu, the cinnamon flavors will taste the best with easy apple strudel. It will also taste perfect with French breakfast muffins, and baked cinnamon sugar donuts.

How to reheat and store Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

How to store leftovers

Leftover poke cake should be stored in the fridge, and covered in an airtight container.

How long will cinnamon poke cake last in the fridge?

Homemade poke cake usually keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, poke cake freezes well. Freeze the entire cake or individual slices by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep up to 2 months in the freezer when stored properly. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying a leftover slice.

FAQs

Need more poke cake recipes? Try these:

Easy Halloween Poke Cake

Pistachio Pudding Poke Cake

Caramel Apple Poke Cake

Better Than Sex Cake

Click here for my entire collection of dessert recipes.