Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake

This easy and delicious Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake is the ultimate fall treat. It’s super moist with a hint of pumpkin and warm spices, topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting infused with a sweet caramel sauce. 

 

Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake

Poke cakes are always a favorite at any gathering, and this Caramel Pumpkin Poke Cake is no exception. It begins with a simple boxed spice cake mix, but we added a twist. Instead of water, you use pumpkin puree, which makes the cake incredibly moist and adds warm fall flavor. The warm cake is poked with holes and drenched in a warm caramel sauce that soaks into every bite of the cake, creating a rich and decadent treat.

Once the cake is chilled, it’s topped with a creamy combination of caramel sauce and cream cheese, giving it a deliciously sweet finish. The cake is then garnished with chopped pecans and toffee bits for an extra touch of sweetness and crunch. Perfect for any fall gatherings, this caramel pumpkin poke cake will be a huge hit with all your family and friends.

If you’re a poke can fan, you should also check out my recipe for this Hot Chocolate Poke Cake and this easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Easy dessert –This recipe keeps things simple with a boxed cake mix and a few other easy ingredients. It’s perfect for when you want a delicious dessert without a lot of fuss.
• Pumpkin flavor – The cake is incredibly moist, filled with warm spices and rich pumpkin flavor. It’s the ultimate fall dessert that brings cozy, fall flavors to the table.
• Decadent topping – The combination of caramel sauce and cream cheese frosting creates a creamy, sweet topping that takes the cake to the next level.

Ingredients

• Boxed spice cake mix (plus eggs and vegetable oil to make it)– This will be the base of the cake, which you’ll mix with eggs and oil according to the package instructions.
• Pure pumpkin puree – Adds moisture and a rich pumpkin flavor to the cake, enhancing its texture and taste.
• Jarred caramel sauce – Used to soak into the cake and provide a sweet, gooey layer of caramel.
• Cream cheese, softened to room temperature – Combined with caramel sauce to make a creamy, smooth frosting.
• Whipped topping – Lightens the cream cheese frosting, giving it a fluffy and airy texture.
• Chopped pecans: Sprinkled on top for added crunch and a nutty flavor.
• Toffee bits: Added for extra crunch and a burst of caramel flavor.

How to Make The Best Pumpkin Poke Cake

Step One: Bake the Cake

• Heat oven to the recommended temperature on the box.
• In a large bowl, combine cake mix with the eggs and oil according to package instructions for a 9×13 pan. Omit the water that the box calls for and substitute it with the can of pumpkin puree.
• Pour batter in the baking pan and bake following box instructions.
• Allow the cake to fully cool once it has finished baking.

Step Two: Poke Holes and Add the Caramel Sauce

• Use a straw, fork, or end of a wooden spoon to poke holes throughout the cake.
• Warm caramel sauce in the microwave for 30-40 seconds and pour ¾ of the sauce over the top, filling the holes of the cake. Set aside reserved caramel sauce.
• Cover and refrigerate the cake for 30-35 minutes, or overnight to allow the caramel to soak into the cake.

Step Three: Make the Topping

• Prepare the topping in a medium bowl by beating the remaining sweet caramel sauce and cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium high speed until smooth and creamy.
• Stir the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
• Spread the luscious cream cheese frosting across the top of the cake.

Step Four: Garnish and Serve

• Garnish with chopped pecans and toffee bits. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Slice your delicious cake into squares to serve, enjoy!

Storing Leftovers

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
• You can freeze leftovers and then thaw it in the refrigerator a day before you are ready to use.

Variations and Add-ins

• Cake mix – Swap the spice cake mix for a yellow cake mix and add pumpkin pie spice for a different but still pumpkin-flavored twist.
• Pumpkin spice – If you like lots of pumpkin spice flavor, simply increase the amount of pumpkin spice in the cake mix and even add some to the topping.
• Sweetened condensed milk – You can swap the caramel to sweetened condensed milk or use it in addition to the caramel.  
• Chocolate chips – Fold in chocolate chips into the cake batter or sprinkle them on top of the frosting for a chocolatey twist.
• Chopped apples – Add chopped apples to the cake batter for extra sweetness, moisture and flavor.
• Crushed gingersnaps– Mix crushed gingersnaps into the cake or sprinkle them on top of the frosting for a spiced crunch.
• Toasted coconut– Add toasted coconut flakes on top of the frosting.
• Maple syrup – Drizzle some maple syrup over the cream cheese frosting for a hint of maple sweetness.

FAQs

More Pumpkin Desserts

• Pumpkin Lush
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
• Pumpkin Dump Cake
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
• Cool Whip Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Sheet Cake
• The Best Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting