This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is a delicious treat! It’s soft and moist, loaded with rich butter flavor, and topped with crunchy pecans and a sweet praline sauce.
You’ll love poking holes in the cake to let all that tasty sauce soak in! It’s such a fun way to bring flavors together. I can’t resist a slice after lunch—so yummy! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Yellow Cake Mix: It’s super easy to use, but if you’re up for it, you can make a homemade yellow cake with flour, sugar, baking powder, and eggs for a fresher taste. It might just add that personal touch!
Pecans: These are essential for that nutty crunch. If pecans aren’t your thing, walnuts or almonds could be nice substitutes. Just chop them up and use as you would the pecans.
Heavy Cream: This gives the praline sauce its richness. If you’re looking for a lighter option, half-and-half works too, though it may not be as creamy. For a non-dairy alternative, use coconut cream.
Powdered Sugar: This is used for the frosting drizzle. If you don’t have it, regular granulated sugar can be ground in a blender or food processor until fine. Just be sure to adjust the amount of milk accordingly.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Praline Sauce?
The praline sauce is the star here, and getting it just right makes all the difference. Here’s how to do it perfectly:
- Use medium heat to melt the butter with brown sugar and cream. Stir it often to prevent burning. You want a smooth blend.
- As soon as it starts to boil, remove it from heat—overcooking it can make the sauce too thick.
- Mix in the chopped pecans and vanilla extract, letting the warmth of the sauce bring out their flavor.
Pour it over the cake while it’s warm; this helps the sauce soak in better. Once it cools, you’ll have a deliciously moist poke cake!
Delicious Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, typically eggs, oil, water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Praline Sauce:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cake will take about 15 minutes to prepare and 30-35 minutes to bake. After that, you’ll need about 1 hour for it to cool and set. So, in total, you’re looking at about 2 hours from start to finish before you can enjoy a slice of this sweet treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Before you do anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), following the directions on the cake mix box. This ensures your cake bakes evenly and stays fluffy!
2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the yellow cake batter according to the box instructions. Make sure to stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Resist the temptation to check too early to avoid collapsing the cake!
4. Poking the Holes:
Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, take the handle end of a wooden spoon or a skewer and poke holes all over the top of the cake, about 1 inch apart. Make sure the holes go all the way down to the bottom so the sauce can soak in well!
5. Making the Praline Sauce:
In a medium saucepan, combine the packed brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter over medium heat. Stir frequently until the butter is fully melted and the mixture begins to boil.
6. Adding the Pecans:
Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped pecans and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This will give the sauce a wonderful nutty flavor!
7. Soaking the Cake:
Spoon the warm praline sauce over the cake, focusing on letting it seep into the holes you made. You want every bite to be loaded with that sweet goodness!
8. Cooling Time:
Let the cake cool down to room temperature, or you can place it in the fridge for about 1 hour. This will help the praline sauce thicken and settle into the cake nicely.
9. Prepare the Frosting Drizzle:
In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream until it’s smooth and drizzly. Adjust the consistency to your liking by adding more milk for thinner frosting or more powdered sugar for a thicker drizzle.
10. Final Touches and Serve:
Once the cake is set and cooled, drizzle the frosting over the top. Cut into squares and serve! Enjoy the rich buttery flavors with the crunchy pecans and that luscious praline sauce soaking into each delightful bite!
Can I Use a Different Cake Mix for This Recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix works best for this recipe, you can experiment with other flavors like butter or vanilla cake mix for a twist. Just adjust baking times as needed based on the mix instructions.
Can I Make This Cake in Advance?
Yes! You can bake the cake a day ahead, let it cool completely, and then soak it with the praline sauce. Just cover it properly and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight!
How Do I Store Leftover Cake?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This will keep the cake moist and the flavors intact. You can also reheat individual pieces in the microwave for a few moments if you prefer it warm!
Can I Freeze This Cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then enjoy!
