About This Recipe

Banana pudding poke cake is the potluck legend — a vanilla cake poked full of holes and soaked in banana pudding so every bite is as rich and custardy as the last. Topped with fresh whipped cream, banana slices, and Nilla wafers, it's essentially banana pudding reimagined as a cake. It feeds 15 people, requires minimal skill, and disappears faster than any other dessert at any gathering. This is the recipe that earns you the reputation of best baker in the group.

Why You'll Love It

  • Feeds 15 people from one pan — the king of potluck desserts
  • Nilla wafers and banana pudding together is an unbeatable combination
  • Made from a box mix — zero baking skill required
  • The poke technique makes every single bite as good as the edges

Banana Pudding Poke Cake (Ultimate Crowd Dessert)

Banana Pudding Poke Cake (Ultimate Crowd Dessert)
15 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
45 min (+ chill)
Total
15
Servings
⭐ 4.9
Rating
355
Calories

Ingredients

  • 1 box (15.25oz) yellow or vanilla cake mix (+ eggs, oil, water per box)
  • 2 boxes (3.4oz each) instant banana pudding mix
  • 4 cups (960ml) cold whole milk
  • 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1 box Nilla wafer cookies
  • Optional: caramel sauce drizzle

Instructions

  1. 1Bake cake Prepare and bake cake mix in a 9x13 pan according to package directions. Cool 15 minutes....
  2. 2Poke holes Poke holes all over the warm cake using the handle of a wooden spoon — make about 40-50 holes, evenly spaced....
  3. 3Make pudding Whisk banana pudding mix with cold milk until smooth. Let thicken 2 minutes....
  4. 4Pour pudding Pour pudding over warm cake, spreading into holes. The pudding soaks into the cake as it cools. Refrigerate 1 hour....
  5. 5Top Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over cake. Arrange banana slices and Nilla wafers on top....

Ingredients

1 box (15.25oz) yellow or vanilla cake mix (+ eggs, oil, water per box) 2 boxes (3.4oz each) instant banana pudding mix 4 cups (960ml) cold whole milk 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream 3 tbsp powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced 1 box Nilla wafer cookies Optional: caramel sauce drizzle

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Bake cake

    Prepare and bake cake mix in a 9x13 pan according to package directions. Cool 15 minutes.

  2. 2

    Poke holes

    Poke holes all over the warm cake using the handle of a wooden spoon — make about 40-50 holes, evenly spaced.

  3. 3

    Make pudding

    Whisk banana pudding mix with cold milk until smooth. Let thicken 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Pour pudding

    Pour pudding over warm cake, spreading into holes. The pudding soaks into the cake as it cools. Refrigerate 1 hour.

  5. 5

    Top

    Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over cake. Arrange banana slices and Nilla wafers on top. Refrigerate until serving.

Pro Tips

🏆 Chef Tips
  • Use a wooden spoon handle for poking — it makes larger holes that hold more pudding.
  • Pour pudding while cake is still warm — it soaks in much better than cold cake.
  • Add banana slices right before serving so they don't brown.
  • Crush extra Nilla wafers and sprinkle on top for a crunchy topping layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make up to 24 hours ahead without the banana slices. Add bananas right before serving.
Yes — homemade banana custard is even better. Just ensure it's still pourable when added.
Too much liquid or insufficient refrigeration time. Chill at least 1 hour before adding toppings.
Use a GF cake mix and GF vanilla wafers — same method, equally delicious.

Nutrition Per Serving

355
Calories
5g
Protein
48g
Carbs
17g
Fat
1g
Fiber
30g
Sugar
310mg
Sodium
9g
Sat. Fat