Eggnog Poke Cake made with a white cake mix, eggnog, vanilla pudding, and cool whip. Delicious moist cake recipe perfect for the holidays!
We love pudding poke cakes and this one is amazing. If you love eggnog, this cake is absolute perfection and it is so easy to make! It’s ready to hit the dessert table at your next potluck or holiday family gathering.
WHAT IS A POKE CAKE?
A poke cake is a cake that has been baked in a large pan (usually a 9×13 baking dish) then after cooling, it’s literally poked either with the back end of a wooden spoon, a toothpick, or even a clean finger. After that, a liquid (usually pudding or jello) is poured over the top so that it can soak into the cake. Topped off with some whipped cream spread over the top and chilled for a few hours before serving. This cake is a wonderful blend of easy instructions, tasty goodness, and versatility.
Ingredients in Eggnog Poke Cake
White cake mix – You will need a box of white cake mix, but you could also use yellow if you prefer.
Water – Most cake mixes require a cup of water for the bulk of the liquid needed to make the cake. You can replace some or all of this with milk for a richer flavor.
Oil – Use the required amount of oil for the cake mix (usually 1/2 cup). You can use vegetable or canola oil or even coconut oil!
Eggs – Again, you will want to follow the directions on the box as far as how many eggs you need. Most white cake mixes will ask for 3 large eggs or 3 egg whites. Use only egg whites if you want a pure white color for your cake.
Eggnog – You will need 2 cups of eggnog. Go ahead and use whatever variety you like the best!
Nutmeg – A teaspoon of ground nutmeg will add a lot of flavor to the cake – it pairs perfectly with eggnog!
Instant vanilla pudding – Make sure to use instant pudding and use a small box (3.4 oz size). You will be mixing this with the eggnog for the delicious pudding mixture that makes this cake so incredible!
Cool Whip – This is used as the “frosting” on the cake. Make sure it is completely thawed before spreading on top of the pudding layer.
How to make Eggnog Poke Cake
Make cake in a 9X13 according to box directions by mixing the cake mix, water, oil and eggs together. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or as the instructions direct.
Let the cake cool completely. Use the handle end of a wooden spoon to evenly poke holes all over the cake (about 1-2” apart).
In a bowl, mix the pudding mix and eggnog together and stir in the nutmeg. Stir well and then pour over the cake. Some of the pudding will drip down into the holes but some will stay on top of the cake. Spread the pudding on top evenly over the cake.
Spread the Cool Whip on top of the pudding layer. Place the cake in the fridge overnight or for at least 5-6 hours.
Sprinkle a little bit of nutmeg on top just before serving.
Eggnog Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups eggnog
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 3.4 oz small box instant vanilla pudding
- 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Make cake in a 9X13 according to box directions by mixing the cake mix, water, oil and eggs together. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or as the instructions direct.
- Let the cake cool completely. Use the handle end of a wooden spoon to evenly poke holes all over the cake (about 1-2” apart).
- In a bowl, mix the pudding mix and eggnog together and stir in the nutmeg. Stir well and then pour over the cake. Some of the pudding will drip down into the holes but some will stay on top of the cake. Spread the pudding on top evenly over the cake.
- Spread the Cool Whip on top of the pudding layer. Place the cake in the fridge overnight or for at least 5-6 hours.
- Sprinkle a little bit of nutmeg on top just before serving.
Nutrition
📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩
I consent to receiving emails from this site.
HOW LONG IS POKE CAKE GOOD FOR?
This poke cake can last up to 5 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. I prefer to make the poke cake at least one day before serving so that the pudding has some time to soak in!
WHEN SHOULD YOU POKE A POKE CAKE?
You should aim to poke the cake after it has cooled enough that if you touched the pan with your hands it wouldn’t hurt. While the cake may be warm for a few hours after baking, about 1-2 hours after being pulled from the oven is fine for continuing with the poking and decorating.
CAN YOU REPLACE THE COOL WHIP IN STRAWBERRIES & CREAM POKE CAKE?
Cool Whip is the best “whipped topping” to use in this recipe. However, if you can’t find Cool Whip where you live or you prefer not to use it in recipes, you can use stabilized whipped cream instead. This will be a little bit thicker and more substantial than just plain whipped cream. It’s very simple to make your own stabilized whipped cream and it just takes a few minutes!
See Homemade Whipped Cream recipes here.
MORE POKE CAKE RECIPES
- OREO POKE CAKE
- CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PEANUT BUTTER POKE CAKE
- COCOA PUFFS PUDDING POKE CAKE
- STRAWBERRIES & CREAM POKE CAKE
- CHRISTMAS JELLO POKE CAKE
- RASPBERRY JELLO POKE CAKE
- MINT CHOCOLATE POKE CAKE
- PEPPERMINT OREO POKE CAKE
- LEMON POKE CAKE RECIPE
- FRUITY PEBBLES POKE CAKE
- PUMPKIN POKE CAKE
- PEACHES AND CREAM POKE CAKE
- S’MORES POKE CAKE
- PINA COLADA POKE CAKE
- BOSTON CREAM PIE POKE CAKE
Eggnog Poke Cake made with a white cake mix, eggnog, vanilla pudding, and cool whip. Delicious moist cake recipe perfect for the holidays!
Gina says
Eggnog is one of my favorite holiday drinks, and now it’s one of my favorite cakes! This came out amazing! I see this being a holiday staple in my house!
Allison says
Made this for my husband because he LOVES eggnog. It was a hit!