Let’s talk about comfort. You know the kind—the warm, cinnamon-swirled kind that smells like a cozy kitchen and tastes like childhood. This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake? It’s that comfort baked into a pan. I made it on a random Tuesday night, and guess what? The next morning, there was only one lonely corner left in the tray. I’m not saying it vanished—I’m saying it *disappeared mysteriously*. It’s soft. It’s sweet. It’s got that luscious cinnamon-sugar swirl and a velvety glaze that drips into every poke hole (yes, I said poke hole—welcome to baking chaos). It’s like your favorite cinnamon roll got cozy with a moist vanilla cake and decided to stay for dessert. And the best part? No one will guess how easy it is to pull off. This cake checks every box: sweet easy recipes, healthy dessert recipes easy quick banana bread (yep, we all need balance), low calorie cheesecake? Try this instead. It also has all the make-ahead ease of a quick desserts easy no bake healthy recipes and the indulgence of a fluffy Mo Bake Cheesecake. Perfect for brunches, birthday brunches (those are real, right?), or just when you’re craving a little sugar hug.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
4) How to Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
6) Making Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This is the easiest cinnamon roll poke cake you’ll ever make
Combines a classic cake mix with pudding and cinnamon sugar
Perfect for brunch, potlucks, or just because
Make it ahead and store it for later indulgence

2) Easy Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

I’m not trying to be dramatic, but this cake might just become your new favorite dessert. It’s what happens when you take a fluffy vanilla cake and poke holes all over it (yes, with a spoon handle), then let sweet, creamy pudding soak in. Every slice tastes like a cinnamon roll and a vanilla cake had a secret baking party.

What’s wild is how fast it comes together. It’s built on pantry staples: cake mix, pudding, cinnamon, and sugar. That’s it. No standing mixers, no dough rising, no elbow grease. If you can stir and drizzle, you’re already a pro. That’s what I love about sweet easy recipes like this. They’re foolproof, but they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Don’t worry if you’ve never tried a poke cake before. It’s just a fun way to get flavor packed into every bite. We’ve got sweet easy recipes covered here on Elena Cooks (https://www.elenacooks.com) and this one’s a keeper.

3) Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

1 box vanilla cake mix: It’s the shortcut that saves time without skimping on flavor. Just follow the directions on the box. You’ll be baking it in a 9×13 pan.

2 cups milk: This is what makes the pudding pourable and perfectly creamy when it soaks into the cake. Cold milk works best to activate the mix.

1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix: Instant is key here, not cook-and-serve. It sets quickly and seeps into those lovely holes you poked.

1/2 cup brown sugar: This brings the deep, molasses-style sweetness that mimics the inside of a cinnamon roll.

1 tablespoon cinnamon: You can’t make cinnamon roll anything without cinnamon. It’s non-negotiable.

1 cup powdered sugar: This goes in the glaze. No glaze, no glory, right?

2 tablespoons milk: Just enough to make that powdered sugar pourable without being runny.

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that extra touch of warmth in the glaze. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference.

4) How to Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Step 1. Bake the cake according to the package instructions. Let it cool for about 10 minutes—just enough to handle but still warm enough to soak in flavor.

Step 2. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Don’t worry about being neat. Random is fine.

Step 3. In a bowl, whisk the pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk. Let it thicken slightly, then pour it evenly over the cake, making sure it fills the holes.

Step 4. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the pudding layer before it sets completely.

Step 5. Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract into a glaze. Drizzle it across the top of the cake in a zigzag or swirls—go wild.

Step 6. Chill the cake for at least one hour before serving. Or warm it up later for that just-baked feeling.

5) Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Let’s start with the poke holes. Don’t skimp. The more you poke, the better the pudding can sneak in. I like to space mine about an inch apart for max flavor soakage.

If you want the cake to feel even more homemade, add a dash of cinnamon to the cake batter before baking. No one will ever guess it came from a mix.

Want a healthy dessert recipes easy quick banana bread kind of vibe? Try adding a swirl of mashed banana into the pudding mix. It’s not traditional, but it’s fun and adds a rich depth.

6) Making Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Ahead of Time

This is one of those sweet easy recipes that gets better with time. You can make it the night before a brunch or party and let it chill in the fridge overnight. The pudding soaks in deeper, and the glaze sets up perfectly.

If you’re prepping this more than a day in advance, wait to add the glaze until the day you serve. That way, it stays glossy and pretty on top.

You can also portion it into containers if you’re meal-prepping your desserts. Who says lunchboxes are only for sandwiches?

7) Storing Leftover Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Pop any leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. It won’t last that long. Just saying.

If you like your cake warm, zap a slice in the microwave for 15 seconds. You’ll get that just-baked aroma and soft texture all over again.

This also freezes surprisingly well. Just skip the glaze before freezing. Thaw, drizzle, and enjoy when you need a sweet pick-me-up.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake