Name: Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake: 4 Fatal Mistakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3 large eggs; 1 cup butter pecan ice cream topping; 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Jump to Recipe

Okay, friends, let’s talk about the *ultimate* comfort dessert: Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake! I mean, seriously, does it get any better than that combo? You’ve got the nutty, buttery goodness of butter pecan swirling together with that sweet, caramelly praline flavor… and it’s all soaked into a crazy-moist cake. Trust me, this is the stuff dreams are made of.

I gotta tell you, I wasn’t always a poke cake believer. I kinda thought they were, I don’t know, a little *too* easy? Like, could something so simple really be that good? But then I tried one at a potluck years ago, and wow! I was a convert. And this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake? It’s my absolute FAVORITE version. The poke cake part makes it ridiculously moist, and that praline sauce? Forget about it! It’s like a warm hug in every bite. Seriously, you *need* this in your life!

Why You’ll Love This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Okay, so why *this* Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake? Let me tell you, there are a TON of reasons! But here are my top ones – the things that make this cake a total winner in my book:

Quick and Easy Dessert

Look, I love baking, but sometimes you just don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen, right? This cake is seriously FAST. I mean, we’re talking way easier than making a layer cake from scratch, and honestly? It tastes just as amazing (maybe even better!).

Irresistibly Moist Texture

This is the BEST part! Poke cakes are just SO unbelievably moist. All that yummy sauce soaks right into the cake, making every single bite melt in your mouth. No dry cake EVER again!

Rich Butter Pecan Praline Flavor

Okay, let’s be real: the butter pecan praline combo is where it’s AT. The nutty flavor with the caramelized sugar…it’s just perfect. This cake is sweet, but not *too* sweet, and that butter pecan just adds this amazing depth of flavor.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you’re heading to a potluck, need a dessert for a party, or just want a little something sweet on a Tuesday night (no judgment!), this cake is your go-to. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, and it’s so easy to throw together that you can whip it up anytime!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Ingredients

Alright, gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen. Don’t skimp on the good stuff, okay? We’re going for *flavor* here! You’ll need: 1 box (like 15.25 oz) of yellow cake mix (I usually grab Duncan Hines, but whatever you like!). Then, 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 3 large eggs. For the rest, you’ll need 1 cup of butter pecan ice cream topping (Smucker’s is my fave!), 1 can (14 ounces) of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup of melted butter (real butter, please!), 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of chopped pecans, toasted. Got it? Good!

Equipment You’ll Need

Okay, before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got all your gear ready! Nothing’s worse than realizing you’re missing something halfway through, am I right?

9×13 Inch Baking Pan

This is a MUST! Seriously, the size matters. A 9×13 pan is what you need for this cake to be perfect. Don’t try to squeeze it into something smaller, or it’ll overflow! Trust me, I’ve been there…oops!

Mixing Bowls

You’ll want a couple of different sizes – a big one for the cake batter and a smaller one for mixing up the topping. I usually grab my medium and large Pyrex bowls.

Saucepan

You’ll need a saucepan to make that dreamy praline sauce. Nothing fancy needed here, just a regular ol’ saucepan will do the trick!

Fork or Wooden Spoon Handle

This is what you’ll use to poke all those glorious holes in the cake! A fork works great, or you can use the handle of a wooden spoon. Just get pokin’!

How to Make Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here’s the fun part! Let’s get baking! Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a slice of heaven in no time!

Prepare and Bake the Cake

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is important, so don’t skip it! While the oven’s heating up, grab that yellow cake mix and mix it according to the package directions. Usually, that means adding water, oil, and eggs. Give it a good mix until it’s all smooth and combined. Now, pour that batter into your 9×13 inch baking pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. You want it golden brown and springy to the touch. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before the next step – don’t want to burn your fingers!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake - detail 1

Poke Holes in the Cake

Alright, now for the “poke” part! Grab a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon and poke holes all over the cake. Make sure you get them pretty evenly spaced, about an inch or so apart. Don’t be shy – you want plenty of holes for that yummy sauce to soak into! This is what makes it a poke cake, after all!

Make the Butter Pecan Praline Sauce

While the cake’s cooling a bit, let’s make the star of the show: that butter pecan praline sauce! In a saucepan, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. Cook it over medium heat, stirring constantly – seriously, don’t stop stirring, or it’ll burn! Keep stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth and bubbly. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s smooth, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Mmm, smells amazing, right?

Pour Sauce and Add Toppings

Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Slowly pour that warm butter pecan praline sauce all over the poked cake, making sure it gets into all those little holes. You might need to use a spatula to spread it around a bit. Next, spread that butter pecan ice cream topping evenly over the entire cake. Finally, sprinkle those toasted pecans generously over the top. Doesn’t it look incredible?!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake - detail 2

Chill and Serve

Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours before serving. This gives the sauce time to soak in and the flavors to meld together. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! And that’s it! You’ve made a Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake. Now dig in and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Want to take your Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake from “yum” to “OMG”? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way!

Toast Your Pecans

Seriously, don’t skip this step! Toasting the pecans brings out SO much more flavor. Just toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until they’re fragrant and lightly golden. Watch them carefully – they can burn fast!

Don’t Skip the Refrigeration

I know, I know, it’s hard to wait! But trust me on this one: chilling the cake is crucial. It gives the sauce time to really soak in and the flavors to meld together. Plus, it makes the cake easier to slice. At least 2 hours, but overnight is even better!

Evenly Distribute the Sauce

Make sure that yummy praline sauce gets into *every* single one of those poked holes! Tilting the pan and using a spatula can help you spread it around evenly. You want every bite to be bursting with flavor!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Variations

Okay, so you’ve made the classic Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake, and you’re obsessed (I knew you would be!). Wanna mix things up a little? Here are a few fun variations to try!

Different Cake Mixes

Feeling adventurous? Try using a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake! The warm spices add a cozy touch that’s just perfect. Or, if you want a super-vanilla flavor, go for a vanilla cake mix. It’s all about experimenting!

Add a Splash of Bourbon

Okay, this one’s for the grown-ups! Stir a tablespoon or two of bourbon into that praline sauce… wow! It adds this incredible depth of flavor that’s just amazing. Trust me, you’ll love it!

Different Nuts

Not a pecan fan? No problem! Walnuts or almonds work great in this recipe too. Just toast them up like you would the pecans, and you’re good to go!

Frequently Asked Questions About Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Got questions about this amazing Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake? I thought you might! Here are some of the most common things people ask me:

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I *recommend* making it a day ahead! It gives all those flavors time to really meld together. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It’ll be even more delicious the next day, I promise!

Can I freeze Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake?

Yep, you sure can! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to a month or two. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. The texture might be *slightly* different after freezing, but it’ll still taste amazing!

What if I don’t have butter pecan ice cream topping?

No problem! If you can’t find butter pecan ice cream topping (sometimes it’s tricky to find!), you can use caramel topping instead. Or, for a lighter option, try whipped cream! It won’t have that exact butter pecan flavor, but it’ll still be delicious. You could even sprinkle some extra toasted pecans on top for that nutty flavor!

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake - detail 3

Estimated Nutritional Information for Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Okay, so everyone always asks about this! Just a heads-up: this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is a TREAT! I’m not a nutritionist, but each slice is probably around 450 calories. Enjoy responsibly!

Enjoy Your Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake!

Alright, my friends, that’s it! You’ve officially conquered the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake! I really hope you love this recipe as much as my family does. If you try it out, please, PLEASE leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And hey, if you’re feeling social, snap a pic and share it on Instagram or Facebook – tag me, so I can see your creation! Thanks for baking with me!