As a baker, I absolutely love creating cakes that bring out rich, comforting flavors. One of my favorites is the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake. This cake combines a moist, buttery base with the perfect balance of sweet praline topping and crunchy pecans. It’s one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug for your taste buds, making it perfect for any gathering or simply to enjoy at home. The best part? It’s easy to make, and it’s guaranteed to impress anyone who gets a slice. Let me walk you through how to make this delicious treat!
Ingredients + How to Bake
To create the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake, here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
-
1 box of yellow cake mix (or homemade yellow cake if preferred)
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1 cup buttermilk
-
3 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
-
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
-
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
-
1/4 cup heavy cream
-
1/4 cup unsalted butter
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Bake:
-
Prepare the cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or whisk to mix until smooth and well-combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly. -
Bake the cake:
Place the cake into the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. -
Poke the cake:
Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork, carefully poke holes all over the top of the cake, about 1 inch apart. Be sure to poke deep enough to reach the bottom, as the filling will seep into these holes, making the cake even more delicious. -
Prepare the praline topping:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. Stir constantly as the mixture heats up and melts together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. -
Fill the cake:
Pour the warm praline sauce over the poked cake, ensuring the sauce seeps into all the holes. The sauce will soak in, making the cake incredibly moist and flavorful. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. -
Add the pecans:
Once the cake has cooled, sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the top of the cake. These crunchy nuts will complement the rich, sweet praline sauce perfectly.
How Long to Bake… How to Store Leftovers… Tips for Perfect…
How Long to Bake:
When baking the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake, the key is to ensure it’s cooked to perfection. The cake itself will take about 30-35 minutes in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. After that, let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before poking the holes and pouring over the praline topping. The cooling time allows the cake to set and soak in the delicious sauce, resulting in a moist and flavorful cake. After filling it with the praline mixture, it’s important to let the cake cool completely before adding the pecans and serving.
How to Store Leftovers:
If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely, but just in case), you can store the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The praline topping will remain rich and sticky, and the cake will stay moist. You can enjoy it chilled or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop a whole slice in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. This will revive the cake’s moistness and melt the praline sauce slightly for an even more indulgent experience.
Tips for Perfect Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake:
-
Use buttermilk:
The buttermilk in this cake adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the praline topping. It also helps create a softer, fluffier texture in the cake. -
Poke the cake gently:
When you poke the holes in the cake, don’t push too hard. You want to make sure the holes are deep enough for the sauce to seep in but not so deep that the cake falls apart. A gentle poke with the back of a spoon works perfectly. -
Let the cake cool before serving:
Allow the cake to cool completely before serving. Not only does this let the praline sauce soak in, but it also gives the pecans time to settle into the topping. -
Toast the pecans for extra flavor:
If you want an extra punch of flavor, toast the pecans before sprinkling them on top of the cake. To do this, simply place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often until they’re fragrant and lightly browned. -
Make it ahead:
This cake can be made a day ahead, which allows the flavors to meld and intensify. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cakes are a simple yet decadent treat, perfect for any occasion. The rich, buttery cake soaked with a sweet praline sauce is topped with crunchy pecans, creating a delicious balance of flavors. Whether served as a dessert or a sweet indulgence during a gathering, this cake is sure to impress everyone!
Ingredients
-
1 box of yellow cake mix (or homemade yellow cake if preferred)
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1 cup buttermilk
-
3 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
-
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
-
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
-
1/4 cup heavy cream
-
1/4 cup unsalted butter
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
-
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly.
-
Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
-
Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Once slightly cooled, poke holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon or fork.
-
In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
-
Pour the warm praline sauce over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
-
Cool the cake completely at room temperature, then sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Notes
-
For added crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or almonds over the pears before baking.
-
These baked pears can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or enjoy cold.
-
If you prefer, substitute the feta cheese with blue cheese for a stronger flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Yes, you can substitute the pecans with other nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts. Each nut will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the cake, but they will all complement the rich praline topping well. Just be sure to chop the nuts into small pieces so they can spread evenly across the cake.
2. Can I make this cake without the condensed milk?
While the sweetened condensed milk plays a crucial role in creating the rich, gooey praline topping, you can substitute it with evaporated milk mixed with sugar. For every can of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of evaporated milk and 3/4 cup of sugar. Heat the mixture as directed in the recipe, stirring until it thickens to achieve a similar result.
3. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free cake mix. There are many high-quality gluten-free cake mixes available in stores, or you can make your own by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the packaging for any additional ingredients or steps needed when using gluten-free options.
4. How can I make this cake more decadent?
If you want to make the cake even more indulgent, you can add a layer of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top after adding the pecans. Some people even like to serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of sweetness. Additionally, consider adding chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist on this classic dessert.