• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bake It With Love

  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2023 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Jump to Recipe
Best banana pudding poke cake pin with text header.

You're sure to love this delicious banana pudding poke cake that's filled with luscious banana pudding and topped with Cool Whip & Nilla Wafers! This easy-to-make poke cake is wildly popular as it has holes poked into it, allowing the delicious banana pudding to run down into a soft cake layer. Yum!

Delicious slice of banana pudding poke cake served with more bananas and Nilla wafers on white plate.
Delicious and packed with banana flavor, this soft cake is an easy-to-make treat!
Jump to:
  • Easy 9x13 Banana Dessert
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make A Banana Pudding Poke Cake
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing
  • 🍌 More Tasty Banana Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Easy 9x13 Banana Dessert

We like to add an extra level of banana flavor to our banana pudding poke cake by finely chopping a cup of freeze-dried banana chips! These banana-flavor-packed snacks are incredible when added to the cake mix and make our poke cake amazing!

So, when you're at the store next time, be sure to grab a bag of yummy banana chips to add in and snack on while you're making your delicious poke cake! 🙂

🥘 Ingredients

Grab some yellow cake mix and a bunch of bananas to get this super tasty cake mix recipe underway!

  • Yellow Cake Mix - 15.25 ounces of boxed mix.
  • Oil, Eggs, and water - As per the cake mix instructions.
  • Banana Chips - ½ cup, freeze-dried and blended until finely chopped.
  • Banana Cream Instant Pudding - 6.8 ounces (2 packages).
  • Milk - 4 cups.
  • Cool Whip - 8-ounce tub, thawed.
  • Nilla Wafers - 20, crushed (plus more for adding to topping, optional).
  • Bananas - 2 large, thinly sliced for topping (optional).

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make A Banana Pudding Poke Cake

There are only a few easy steps, one of the advantages of poke cakes, really. You'll mix up your cake mix according to the boxed instructions (plus some optional banana chips), bake it, and let it cool a bit before poking holes throughout the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon.

Process photo 1 mix the cake mix and add freeze dried banana.
1
Process photo 2 transfer to greased and floured baking dish.
2
Process photo 3 poke with the handle of a wooden spoon once slightly cooled.
3
Process photo 4 spread instant banana pudding over cake and push into the poked holes.
4
Process photo 5 spread wCool Whip whipped topping and sprinkle with crushed Nilla wafers.
5
  1. Prep the Pan and Cake Mix: Start by greasing a 9 x 13 baking pan and lightly dusting it with flour. Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified for a 9x13 cake on the cake mix packaging.
  2. Mix in Banana Chips: Stir in the finely ground freeze-dried banana chips once your cake mix batter is ready. Transfer the batter to your prepared baking pan.
  3. Bake the Cake: Bake the cake following the time and temperature guidelines provided on the cake mix box. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Prepare the Pudding: While the cake is cooling, mix the milk with the instant banana cream pudding as per the instructions on the box.
  5. Poke Holes and Add Pudding: After the cake has cooled slightly, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes throughout the cake. Make sure the holes are almost as deep as the cake. Pour the prepared pudding over the cake, using the back of a spoon to spread it evenly, ensuring the pudding fills the holes and reaches the edges of the pan.
  6. Chill the Cake: Place the cake in the refrigerator to cool and allow the pudding to set, which should take about 2 hours.
  7. Add Cool Whip Topping: Before you are ready to serve, take the Cool Whip out of the freezer to thaw. Once thawed, spread it evenly over the top of the cake and pudding layer.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Finally, garnish the cake with crushed Nilla Wafers and optionally thinly sliced bananas. If using bananas, add them just before serving to prevent browning.

Fans of banana flavor in your family will absolutely swoon over this banana pudding poke cake! Enjoy!

Wide closeup of the plated banana pudding poke cake served with more banana slices and Nilla wafers.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • Evenly Poke Holes: When poking holes in the cake, do it evenly across the entire surface. This allows the banana pudding to seep into every part of the cake, making it moist and flavorful.
  • Cool the Cake Slightly Before Poking: Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes after baking. Poking holes while it's still warm (but not too hot) helps the pudding to soak in better.
  • Spread Pudding to the Edges: When adding the banana cream pudding, use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly over the cake, ensuring it gets into all the holes and reaches the edges of the pan.
  • Chill Adequately: Allow sufficient time for the cake to chill in the refrigerator after adding the pudding. This step is crucial for the pudding to set and the flavors to meld.
  • Thaw Cool Whip Properly: Ensure the Cool Whip is completely thawed before spreading it over the cake to achieve a smooth, even layer.

🥡 Storing

Refrigerate After Serving. If you have leftovers, it's important to store the cake in the refrigerator. The pudding and Cool Whip topping require refrigeration to maintain freshness and texture.

Use an Airtight Container. If possible, place the cake in an airtight container. If your container isn't large enough, tightly cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Luscious, rich, and delicious slice of banana pudding poke cake on white plate.

🍌 More Tasty Banana Recipes

  • Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Double Chocolate Banana Bread
  • Super Moist Banana Bread
  • Banana Bread with Streusel Topping
  • Banana Blueberry Muffins
  • Apple Banana Muffins

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Delicious slice of banana pudding poke cake served with more bananas and Nilla wafers on white plate.
Print Recipe Leave A Comment
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 15 reviews

Easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake

You're sure to love this delicious banana pudding poke cake that's filled with luscious banana pudding and topped with Cool Whip & Nilla Wafers! This easy-to-make poke cake is wildly popular as it has holes poked into it, allowing the delicious banana pudding to run down into a soft cake layer. Yum!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 291kcal
Prep 15 minutes minutes
Cooking 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 45 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Ingredients
 

  • 15.25 oz yellow cake mix (1 box)
  • oil, eggs, water (per cake mix instructions)
  • ½ cup banana chips (freeze dried, blended until finely chopped)
  • 6.8 oz banana cream instant pudding (2 3.4-ounce packages)
  • 4 cups milk
  • 8 oz Cool Whip (thawed)
  • 20 Nilla Wafers (crushed - plus more for adding to topping, optional)
  • 2 large bananas (optional - thinly sliced for topping)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan and coat with flour. Prepare 15.25 oz yellow cake mix as directed on the box and preheat the oven to the recommended temperature per your boxed cake mix.
  • Add the finely ground freeze-dried ½ cup banana chips to the mixed cake mix batter, then transfer into your prepared baking pan. Bake as directed per your boxed cake mix. Remove from the oven when an inserted toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake.
  • Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes while you mix the milk with the boxed 6.8 oz banana cream instant pudding.
  • Once the pudding is mixed and the cake has cooled slightly, poke holes throughout the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon. Press firmly into the cake, making the holes almost as deep as the cake is.
  • Pour the mixed pudding over the yellow cake then use the back of a spoon to coat the top of the cake evenly, press the pudding into the holes, and all of the way to the edges of the cake pan. Transfer to the refrigerator and allow it to cool, and the pudding to set up for 2 hours.
  • Before removing your cake to add the last layer, remove the tub of 8 oz Cool Whip from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature. Spread thawed Cool Whip over the top of the pudding layer. Top with 20 crushed Nilla wafers and sliced bananas (if desired).
  • *If topping with bananas, I suggest that you add the sliced bananas just before serving so that they don't turn brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal (15%) | Carbohydrates: 54g (18%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg (11%) | Sodium: 479mg (21%) | Potassium: 224mg (6%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 34g (38%) | Vitamin A: 178IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 163mg (16%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Cake Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Poke Cakes
Cuisine American

« Cod En Papillote
Panda Express Chow Mein »

Share This Recipe!

  • Share
  • X
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

5 from 15 votes (15 ratings without comment)

Thanks for coming! Ask anything - or let me know what you think: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

More About Me ->

Grilling Recipes

  • Tasty, easy cookout food ideas to make and feed a crowd this summer.
    Easy Cookout Food Ideas: Best Dishes To Bring To A Cookout

  • Square image of sliced Arrachera steak on a cutting board.
    Arrachera (Mexican Steak for Tacos)

  • Square image of sliced Denver steak on a cutting board.
    Denver Steak

  • Square image of grilled ostrich steaks.
    Grilled Ostrich Steaks

  • Square image of grilled pineapple.
    Grilled Pineapple

  • Square image of sliced grilled skirt steak.
    Grilled Skirt Steak

See more Grilled →

Tasty Dinner Ideas

  • A square collage of four images showing easy summer crockpot meals including tender London broil pot roast, green beans and potatoes, grape jelly meatballs, and pork carnitas tacos.
    Summer Crockpot Meal Ideas

  • Panda Express honey sesame chicken copycat recipe plated with rice and garnished with more white sesame seeds.
    Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

  • A square image showing a bowl of tender wok fried marinated chicken with celery, onions, and black pepper sauce.
    Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken

  • Best leftover lobster recipes page image featuring four favorite dishes in a square collage.
    Leftover Lobster Recipes

  • Square collage image featuring 4 tasty recipes using leftover hard boiled eggs.
    Leftover Hard Boiled Eggs Recipes

  • Spider taco ring on baking sheet with taco toppings in the body and sliced olives for eyes.
    Spider Taco Crescent Ring

See more Main Dish →

Footer

As Seen On

As seen on these popular sites: Mashed, Tasting Table, Parade, MSN, Yahoo, Delish, The Pioneer Woman, Today, Taste of Home, and more.

↑ back to top

About

  • Meet The Team
  • Photo Sharing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • Accessibility Statement

Recipes

  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • Breakfasts
  • Cookies & Bars
  • Videos
  • Articles

AI-Free

Everything on Bake It With Love is created by me, where I share my experiences, with help from my team members and family.

I promise that BIWL is 100% free of AI content.

Get Social

Visit us on your favorite social media platforms!

Copyright © 2016-2025 Bake It With Love

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.