Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Delight

This cake is basically a cinnamon roll in disguise: a tender sheet cake studded with sweet pockets of cinnamon-sugar and soaked in a gooey drizzle that tastes like someone melted a cinnamon roll and poured it over cake. It’s loud, cozy, and ridiculous in the best way—perfect for brunch, potluck, or an emergency sugar fix when the kids raid the pantry.

My husband loses his mind over this. He calls it “breakfast cake” and will happily eat a big square with coffee at 7 a.m., then again as dessert after dinner. The kids think it’s a special event and hover like tiny vultures until I pull it out. I once tried to fancy it up with individual portions and got exactly zero sympathy—apparently they like it messy and communal, fork fights encouraged. It’s become our weekend ritual: messy kitchen, sticky fingers, and three different people insisting it’s “just better cold.”

Kitchen Talk

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I learned a few things the messy way. Don’t be afraid to poke like you mean it—those holes are how the filling burrows in and becomes joyful. I once tried to be delicate and ended up with dry pockets; the kids still ate it but called me out for not being “brave enough.” Also, store-bought cinnamon roll icing is a valid life hack. Homemade frosting is lovely, but there are nights when I’m parenting solo and a tube of icing is the difference between cake and cereal for dinner.

Shopping Tips

– Baking Basics (Flour/Sugar/Leaveners): You can absolutely use a boxed cake mix for speed, or a simple from-scratch batter if you prefer. If buying baking powder/soda, check the date—old leaveners = sad, flat cake.
– Dairy: Full-fat cream cheese and butter give the best flavor and texture for the frosting and drizzle; low-fat versions work but expect a thinner, tangier finish.
– Eggs: Large eggs at room temp help the cake rise evenly; if you forget to warm them, run them briefly under warm water in the shell to take the chill off.
– Spices: Pick good ground cinnamon (not just the dusty stuff); a blend labeled “sweet cinnamon” or Ceylon gives a warmer, less bitter note.
– Flavor Boosts (Vanilla/Zest): Pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the batter and frosting—don’t grab imitation if you can help it.

Prep Ahead Ideas

– Bake the cake base a day ahead and keep it wrapped tightly at room temperature; add the filling drizzle and frosting the day you serve for optimal goo.
– Make the frosting the night before and store it in an airtight container in the fridge; bring it to room temp and whip quick before spreading.
– Use a shallow, lidded container for leftovers so the top doesn’t dry out; if you’re prepping for a party, assemble on the serving tray and cover with plastic wrap.

✔Time-Saving Tricks

– Use boxed cake mix and a jar or tube of cinnamon roll icing if you need to get this on the table fast—no judgment here.
– Poke holes with the handle of a wooden spoon instead of a special tool; it’s faster and gives perfectly spaced holes.
– Heat cinnamon-sugar with butter briefly in the microwave to make a pourable drizzle that soaks in quicker.
– Let it cool just enough to set before frosting, but not completely cold—warm cake soaks up glaze better.

✔Common Mistakes

– Under-poking: small or few holes mean the drizzle pools on top instead of seeping in—poke more, please.
– Over-saturating: pour slowly and evenly; if you drown the cake it turns into a soggy mess. Rescue with a quick re-bake on low to firm it up a bit.
– Frosting too warm: a runny frosting will slide off. If it’s too loose, chill briefly and then spread.
– Overbaking the edges: watch for golden, not toasted; edges dry out fast. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.

What to Serve It With

– Strong coffee or a big mug of chai—this cake loves a bold brew.
– A quick fruit salad to cut the sweetness (berries are perfect).
– Vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert.
– Simple greens with lemon if you’re doing brunch and want a palette cleanser.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Use room-temp dairy for smoother frosting.
– Pace your drizzle—do it in sections so it soaks evenly.
– If the center’s too gooey, tent with foil and let it rest; carryover will tighten it.
– Forgot to chill cream cheese? Whip it a little with a wire whisk to finish smooth.

✔Storage Tips

Store this in the fridge under a lid or wrapped tightly—it keeps happily for a few days and the flavors actually settle and get a little better. Eating it cold for breakfast is not only allowed, it’s practically tradition in my house. If you want it warm, zap a slice briefly in the microwave or put it in a low oven until just warm.

✔Variations and Substitutions

– Swap the cake base for a spice or yellow cake for more depth. I once used a butter cake for extra richness and never looked back.
– Add chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch—toast them first for nuttier flavor.
– Dairy-free? Use plant-based cream cheese and dairy-free butter; texture shifts but it still satisfies.
– Feeling fruity: scatter chopped apples or pear chunks into the cinnamon mixture before baking for a rustic twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Delight

A tender cinnamon-swirled poke cake soaked with sweetened condensed milk and finished with a silky cream cheese glaze. All the cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll in an easy 9x13 dessert.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 15.25 oz boxed yellow cake mix
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk
• ▢ 0.33 cup neutral oil such as vegetable or canola
• ▢ 5.5 fl oz liquid whole eggs about the equivalent of 3 large eggs
• ▢ 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
• ▢ 2.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• ▢ 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
• ▢ 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg optional but tasty
• ▢ 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• ▢ 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• ▢ 1.25 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 3 tbsp heavy cream add more for a thinner glaze
• ▢ 0.13 tsp fine salt
• ▢ 0.5 cup chopped pecans optional topping
• ▢ 2 tbsp caramel sauce optional drizzle

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Whisk cake mix, milk, oil, and liquid eggs until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter to make a thick swirl.
• Pour batter into the pan. Spoon cinnamon mixture over the top and marble with a knife.
• Bake until golden and a tester comes out clean, 28–32 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
• Poke holes all over the warm cake with the handle of a wooden spoon.
• Warm the sweetened condensed milk slightly, then pour evenly over the cake to soak. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
• Drizzle in heavy cream to reach a pourable glaze. Spread over the cooled cake.
• Finish with pecans and a light caramel drizzle, if using. Slice and serve.

Notes

Variation: Add a thin layer of apple pie filling under the glaze for a cinnamon roll–apple twist. For extra crunch, swap pecans with toasted walnuts. Storage: Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days; serve slightly warm by microwaving slices 10–15 seconds.

This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Delight flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.