This easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake layers moist vanilla cake with creamy banana pudding, fresh bananas, and a cloud of whipped topping. It’s comfort-dessert perfection for parties or potlucks.
6.8ozinstant banana pudding mixtotal weight for two small boxes
3.75cupcold milkfor mixing the pudding
14ozsweetened condensed milkoptional for extra richness
3ripe bananas, sliced
12ozwhipped toppingthawed
2cupvanilla wafer crumbslightly crushed, plus a few whole for garnish
1tspvanilla extractoptional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Whisk cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and vanilla until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake until golden and a toothpick tests clean, 26–30 minutes.
Cool the cake 10 minutes. Poke deep holes all over with a wooden spoon handle.
Drizzle condensed milk over the warm cake, letting it seep into holes (optional).
Whisk pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Pour pudding over the cake, nudging it into holes. Chill 30 minutes to set.
Layer sliced bananas evenly over the pudding.
Spread whipped topping over bananas. Sprinkle with crushed wafers.
Chill at least 2 hours before slicing for neat pieces.
Notes
Swap in one box of vanilla pudding and one box of banana pudding for a milder banana flavor. For a lighter version, skip the condensed milk and use reduced-fat whipped topping. Leftovers keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days; add bananas just before serving to prevent browning.This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.