Heavenly Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

Decadent desserts have a magical way of bringing joy to any gathering, and this luscious butter pecan praline poke cake strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and comfort.

Layers of moist cake infused with rich praline flavors create a dessert that promises pure delight with every single bite.

Southern baking traditions shine through in this irresistible treat that marries sweet pecans with creamy butter undertones.

The cake signature technique of poking holes allows delectable sauce to seep deeply into each slice, ensuring maximum flavor in every forkful.

Caramel-like praline notes dance across the palate, transforming an ordinary cake into an extraordinary experience.

Pecans add a delightful crunch that complements the soft, saturated cake texture.

Serve this showstopping dessert and watch as smiles spread around the table, celebrating the pure magic of homemade comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 417 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• Butter Pecan Cake Mix: Provides rich, nutty flavor and convenient cake foundation with pre-mixed pecan essence.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth, tender cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains soft, moist, and prevents dryness during baking.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients, adds structure, and contributes to cake's rich flavor.

• Coconut Pecan Frosting: Creates decadent layer with tropical and nutty undertones.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds rich sweetness and helps create delicious, gooey texture.
• Butter: Enhances flavor and provides creamy, luxurious mouthfeel.
• Chopped Pecans: Delivers delightful crunch, nutty taste, and textural contrast.

• Chopped Pecans: Adds final layer of crunch and visual appeal to finished dessert.

Equipment List for Praline Poke Cake with Butter Pecan

• 9×13 inch baking dish: Essential for creating and baking the cake perfectly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed to combine cake ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden spoon handle: Used for poking holes in the warm cake after baking.
• Saucepan: Required for preparing the delicious pecan sauce.
• Measuring cups: Help measure ingredients accurately.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Spatula: Useful for folding pecans into batter and spreading mixture evenly.
• Whisk or electric mixer: Helps blend cake ingredients thoroughly.

Instructions for Baking Butter Pecan Praline Cake

• Cake Foundation

Mix cake ingredients in a large bowl until silky smooth, incorporating pecans for an extra crunch. Spread batter into a greased baking dish, creating a delectable base for your sweet adventure.

• Baking Process

Slide the cake into a preheated oven, allowing it to transform into a golden masterpiece. Watch carefully and test with a toothpick to ensure perfect doneness.

• Magical Holes

While the cake is still warm, playfully poke holes across its surface using a wooden spoon handle. These little tunnels will become flavor pathways for the upcoming sauce.

• Praline Sauce Creation

In a saucepan, melt butter and blend with sweetened condensed milk. Stir in additional pecans, creating a rich, glossy sauce that promises pure indulgence.

• Final Touch

Gently cascade the warm praline sauce over the cake, watching it seep into every delightful hole. Let the cake cool completely, allowing flavors to mingle and intensify.

• Serving Delight

Slice into this decadent dessert and share with friends or keep the entire masterpiece for yourself. Each bite promises a symphony of buttery, nutty goodness.

Cake Tips and Tricks for a Moist Poke Cake

• Gently toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to cake batter for deeper, richer nutty flavor that elevates the entire dessert's taste profile.
• Let the warm sauce soak completely into cake holes for maximum flavor absorption, ensuring each bite bursts with sweet caramel-like goodness.
• Prepare this cake a day ahead, allowing flavors to meld together and create an even more decadent dessert experience that gets better with time.
• Swap coconut pecan frosting with vanilla or cream cheese frosting for a different flavor twist that still complements the pecan sauce beautifully.
• Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to transform this cake into an irresistible dessert that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

How to Serve Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• Pecan Praline Paradise: Serve this decadent cake on a rustic wooden board for a stunning presentation that highlights its rich, golden-brown color.
• Sweet Gathering Centerpiece: Place the cake as a delightful dessert centerpiece during family dinners, holiday parties, or potluck gatherings where everyone can enjoy a slice.
• Scoop & Pair Delight: Top each slice with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream to complement the cake's buttery pecan flavor and create a luxurious dessert experience.
• Coffee Companion Treat: Slice and serve alongside strong brewed coffee or rich espresso, allowing the cake's sweet praline sauce to balance the coffee's bold taste perfectly.

Storing Butter Pecan Cake the Way

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep cake covered in airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain moisture and flavor intensity.
• Chilled Delight Option: Refrigerate cake for extended freshness, which can help sauce set and provide a delightful cool texture when serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake up to two days before special events, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper caramel and pecan notes.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing in freezer for up to 1 month without losing delicious taste quality.

Decadent Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Southern bakers cherish this butter pecan praline poke cake recipe as a delightful dessert blending rich caramel notes with nutty undertones. Sweet layers absorb luscious praline sauce, creating an irresistible Southern classic you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (15 oz / 425 g) butter pecan cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 0.75 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 can (16 oz / 454 g) coconut pecan frosting
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 0.25 cup (57 g) butter
• 2 cups chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, creating a non-stick surface for the cake.
2. Batter Creation: Combine yellow cake mix, coconut pecan frosting, eggs, vegetable oil, and whole milk in a large bowl, whisking until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform batter. Fold in finely chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
3. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 33-38 minutes, monitoring with a toothpick inserted in the center to ensure complete cooking.
4. Hole Preparation: Immediately after removing from the oven, puncture the cake’s surface with a wooden spoon handle, creating channels for sauce absorption.
5. Sauce Development: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk and additional chopped pecans, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and heated through.
6. Sauce Infusion: Gently cascade the warm pecan sauce over the hot cake, allowing it to penetrate the created holes, ensuring maximum flavor integration.
7. Cooling and Serving: Let the cake rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours, enabling complete cooling and flavor melding before slicing and presenting.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Use room temperature eggs and milk for smoother, more consistent cake batter that rises evenly.
• Pecan Power: Toast chopped pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent sinking in the batter.
• Hole-Making Technique: Create holes immediately after baking while cake is still warm to ensure maximum sauce absorption.
• Sauce Consistency: Keep sauce warm and slightly runny when pouring to help it penetrate deeply into cake holes for rich, caramel-like flavor infusion.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 417
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg