Bananas Foster Poke Cake

I made this cake last weekend, and oh wow, it was love at first bite! Gooey caramel, sweet bananas, and fluffy cake—all in one. My family was fighting over the last piece!

Have you ever had dessert so good it made you dance in your kitchen? That’s what happened when I took my first bite of this Bananas Foster Poke Cake. It’s like a banana party with caramel swimming all over!

I wanted more right away—and so did everyone else. The warm sauce soaks into the cake, making every bite soft and sweet. You’ll be dreaming about this cake for days!

So, let’s make it together! It’s easy, I promise. Grab your bananas, and I’ll show you how!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Next-Level Dessert: Moist, caramel-soaked cake meets gooey banana pudding and warm, buttery sauce—dessert magic!
• Crowd Favorite: Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or potlucks. It’s that dessert everyone asks for.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake it the day before; it gets even better as the flavors blend.
• Easy to Customize: Not a rum fan? Skip it. Want more crunch? Double the pecans. This cake’s got range!
• Beginner-Friendly: Uses cake mix and pudding mix for an easy shortcut but tastes 100% homemade.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Chill Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: About 3 hours

Servings:

Makes 12 servings—or fewer if you like big slices (we don’t judge).

Difficulty:

Easy. If you can mix and pour, you can make this!

Required Kitchen Tools

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer (optional but helpful)
• Whisk
• Fork or wooden spoon handle (for poking holes)
• Saucepan (for Bananas Foster sauce)
• Spatula

Ingredients for Bananas Foster Poke Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this dessert masterpiece (exact measurements will be in the Recipe Card later):

For the Cake:

• 1 box Butter Golden Cake Mix (15.25 ounces) – or substitute with Yellow Cake Mix.
• Eggs – As per your cake mix instructions (usually 3 eggs).
• Water or Oil – Follow the measurements on your cake mix box.
• Butter – Substitute melted butter for oil in the cake mix for extra richness (optional but highly recommended).
• Caramel Sauce – Store-bought or homemade, for soaking the cake.
• 2-3 Ripe Bananas – Sliced, for layering.
• 1 box Instant Banana Cream Pudding (3.4 ounces) – Vanilla pudding works too, but banana flavor = chef’s kiss.
• 2 cups Cold Milk – For the pudding mix.
• 1 container Cool Whip (8 ounces) – Thawed.
• 1 cup Crushed Biscoff Cookies (or cinnamon graham crackers) – For that crispy, buttery topping.
• Extra Caramel Sauce – For drizzling on top.

For the Bananas Foster Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter – For that rich, buttery base.
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar – Light or dark, your choice.
• 2 tablespoons Rum – Optional, but it adds that signature Foster flavor.
• 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar – To sweeten and thicken.
• 1/3 cup Chopped Pecans – Toasted for extra crunch.
• 2 Ripe Bananas – Sliced, for stirring into the sauce.

How to Make Bananas Foster Poke Cake – Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. (Tip: Substitute melted butter for oil for a richer flavor.)
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.

2. Poke the Cake

1. Once the cake is slightly cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon (or a fork) to poke holes all over the cake. The holes should be deep enough to absorb the caramel and pudding.

3. Soak with Caramel Sauce

1. Warm 1/2 cup caramel sauce slightly in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) until it’s pourable.
2. Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the cake, letting it seep into the holes. Set aside to cool while you prepare the pudding.

4. Prepare Banana Pudding Layer

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together banana cream pudding mix and 2 cups cold milk until smooth and thickened (about 2 minutes).
2. Spread the pudding evenly over the caramel-soaked cake, making sure it fills the holes.
3. Layer sliced bananas over the pudding.

5. Top with Cool Whip

1. Spread Cool Whip over the banana layer, creating a smooth, fluffy topping.

6. Chill the Cake

1. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let the flavors meld and the cake set.

How to Make Bananas Foster Sauce + Final Assembly

1. Prepare the Bananas Foster Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 tablespoons rum. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble.
3. Add 1/4 cup powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in sliced bananas and 1/3 cup chopped pecans. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the bananas soften slightly and the sauce thickens.
5. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly.

2. Assemble & Decorate the Cake

1. Spoon the warm Bananas Foster sauce over the chilled cake. Spread it evenly, making sure the caramelized bananas and pecans cover the top.
2. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top for that bakery-level finish.
3. Sprinkle 1 cup crushed Biscoff cookies (or cinnamon graham crackers) over the top for a sweet, crunchy layer.

3. Final Chill (Optional)

• For best results, chill the cake for another 30 minutes after adding the sauce and toppings—this lets everything set beautifully before serving.

Serving and Decoration

How to Serve Bananas Foster Poke Cake

This rich, caramel-banana beauty is a showstopper all on its own, but here are a few ways to elevate it:

• Warm It Up: Microwave a slice for 10-15 seconds – the caramel gets gooey again!
• Extra Whipped Cream: A dollop on each slice makes it extra dreamy.
• Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of leftover caramel sauce? Yes, please.
• More Pecans: Toasted pecans on top for extra crunch.
• Fancy Drizzle: Melted chocolate or white chocolate drizzle for a bakery-style look.

Storing Bananas Foster Poke Cake

• In the Fridge: Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• In the Freezer: Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sugar
420 kcal	61g	18g	4g	43g

(Note: Nutrition info is an estimate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.)

Bananas Foster Poke Cake FAQs

Can I skip the rum?
Absolutely! The sauce is still delicious without it.

Can I use a different pudding flavor?
Sure! Vanilla, butterscotch, or even chocolate work well.

What if I don’t have Biscoff cookies?
Cinnamon graham crackers or vanilla wafer crumbs are great swaps.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! It’s actually better the next day as the flavors meld.

Conclusion

This Bananas Foster Poke Cake is your golden ticket to dessert fame. It’s gooey, creamy, crunchy, and packed with caramel-banana goodness. Whether it’s for a potluck, birthday, or just a Tuesday treat—you can’t go wrong.

Go grab those bananas and let’s bake some happiness!