12 Poke Cake Recipes That Stay Moist and Sweet

Poke cakes are all about taking a simple sheet cake and loading it with flavor, moisture, and fun toppings. Once baked, the cake is poked full of holes and filled with things like pudding, fruit gelatin, or sweetened milk, which soak into every bite. Some versions stay light and fruity with whipped cream and berries, while others go rich with layers of chocolate, cookies, or cream cheese. You’ll find seasonal picks like cranberry or eggnog, along with crowd-pleasers like Oreo and banana pudding. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a picnic, or just because, these cakes are easy to make and even easier to serve straight from the pan.

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Poke Cake

A piece of cake on a green plate, with orange and blue flowers in the background. — Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Poke Cake. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

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A spiced carrot cake base is filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture. Once chilled, it’s topped with more frosting and often finished with chopped nuts. Every bite is soft, rich, and full of flavor. A great pick for spring gatherings or brunch.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Poke Cake

Oreo Poke Cake

A slice of chocolate poke cake topped with whipped cream and crushed chocolate cookies on a white plate with a fork, next to a red and white napkin. — Oreo Poke Cake. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

Chocolate cake meets cookies and cream in this dessert filled with Oreo pudding and topped with crushed cookies. It’s creamy, crunchy, and chilled to perfection. Every layer adds something different. Serve cold for the best texture.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Poke Cake

Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

A slice of cake with white frosting, chocolate chips, pineapple pieces, and a cherry on top being lifted with a cake server. — Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

This one combines chocolate cake with cherry gelatin or pie filling soaked in. It’s like a simplified take on black forest cake. Whipped topping and cherry pieces go on top. A good mix of rich and fruity.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

Easter Poke Cake

A square piece of vanilla cake with green frosting, a pink marshmallow bunny, green sprinkles, and a purple candy on top. Purple and yellow marshmallow chicks are in the background. — Easter Poke Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

A light, colorful cake often filled with pastel gelatin and topped with whipped cream and festive candy. It’s bright, sweet, and fun to decorate. Great for using up leftover Easter treats. Serve straight from the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Easter Poke Cake

Cranberry Poke Cake

A slice of white cake with red gelatin streaks and topped with a layer of whipped cream frosting. — Cranberry Poke Cake. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

A holiday-ready dessert made with vanilla cake and a tart cranberry filling. The contrast between sweet cake and fruity punch makes each bite pop. Whipped cream softens the top. Works especially well in fall and winter.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Poke Cake

Lemon Poke Cake

A piece of yellow cake with white frosting and lemon zest sits on a white plate with a striped cloth in the background. — Lemon Poke Cake. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This cake is soaked with lemon pudding or gelatin for a sharp, citrusy bite. The texture is soft and fluffy, but the flavor stays bold. Often topped with whipped cream or a lemon glaze. Chill for a few hours to let the flavors settle in.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poke Cake

Mint Oreo Chocolate Poke Cake

Piece of poke cake on a metal spatula. — Mint Oreo Chocolate Poke Cake. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Chocolate cake is filled with minty pudding and covered in crushed Oreos. The flavor is bold and cooling at the same time. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with texture. Serve it cold for the mint to shine.
Get the Recipe: Mint Oreo Chocolate Poke Cake

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake (Your Go-To Summer Dessert)

A square slice of strawberry poke cake with white frosting and a halved strawberry on top sits on a white plate; whole strawberries are in the background.

This one starts with a white cake that gets soaked with strawberry gelatin and topped with whipped cream. It’s light, colorful, and perfect for warm weather. Fresh strawberries on top bring it all together. Chill for a few hours before serving.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Poke Cake (Your Go-To Summer Dessert)

Boston Cream Poke Cake

A small piece of boston cream inspired cake on a plate. — Boston Cream Poke Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Vanilla cake is filled with smooth pudding and topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. It’s inspired by the classic pie but easier to make. Every bite is soft, rich, and layered. Best served cold with clean slices.
Get the Recipe: Boston Cream Poke Cake

Coconut Cream Poke Cake

A square slice of yellow cake with white frosting and toasted coconut flakes on top, served on a white plate with a fork. — Coconut Cream Poke Cake. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Coconut milk or pudding fills the cake, making it moist and lightly sweet. Topped with whipped cream and shredded coconut, it’s soft and tropical. Toasted coconut on top adds crunch. Serve chilled for best results.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cream Poke Cake

Eggnog Poke Cake

A slice of yellow poke cake with creamy filling and whipped topping sits on a white plate with a fork. — Eggnog Poke Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This one brings holiday flavor to a simple cake by filling it with eggnog pudding or sweetened milk. It’s spiced, rich, and topped with whipped cream or frosting. A pinch of nutmeg on top finishes it off. Chill overnight if you can.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Poke Cake

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

A slice of strawberry poke cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices on a pink plate, with whole strawberries in the background. — Easy Strawberry Poke Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This quick version uses box mix and gelatin, then tops everything with whipped cream. It’s fruity, soft, and takes very little time to pull together. Great for busy days or last-minute desserts. Add sprinkles or fresh fruit if you like.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Poke Cake