Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you love the flavor of warm cinnamon rolls without having to make yeast dough, this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect shortcut dessert. It has all the cozy cinnamon flavor you love and is ready with very little hands-on time.

To make it even easier, this recipe starts with a boxed cake mix. After baking, the cake is filled with a rich cinnamon and sweetened condensed milk mixture that soaks into every bite, creating a soft, moist cake with the flavor of a homemade cinnamon roll.

Finished with a thick layer of homemade cream cheese frosting, this easy poke cake is perfect for family, expecting company, or simply craving a cozy fall dessert. This cinnamon roll poke cake is sure to become a family favorite.

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix, plus the ingredients listed on the package (water, oil, and eggs) – Creates a light, fluffy cake and keeps this recipe quick and easy.
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk – Adds sweetness and creates the rich filling that soaks into the cake.
• 4 tablespoons melted butter – Adds buttery flavor to the cinnamon filling.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar – Gives the filling a warm, caramel-like sweetness.
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – The star ingredient that gives the cake its classic cinnamon roll flavor.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the cinnamon flavor.
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened – Creates a smooth, tangy frosting.
• 1/3 cup butter, softened – Makes the frosting rich and creamy.
• 2 cups powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the cinnamon and creates a richer, more balanced frosting.
• 1 tablespoon milk – Thins the frosting, making it smooth and easy to spread.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (or grease the pan with butter and line it with parchment paper if you prefer). Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions using the required water, oil, and eggs.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the package directions. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Poke the Cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, a thick straw, or a similar tool, poke holes evenly over the entire cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart. The holes allow the cinnamon filling to soak into every bite.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Fill the Cake

Slowly pour the cinnamon mixture over the cake, making sure it fills the holes. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread any remaining filling evenly across the top. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to soak into the cake.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

Add the vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. If needed, add the milk one teaspoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Frost and Serve

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the chilled cake. If desired, sprinkle the top with a little ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Allow the cake to cool completely before poking the holes so the filling soaks in without making the cake crumbly.

• Space the holes evenly across the cake so every slice is filled with cinnamon flavor.
• Pour the filling over the cake slowly, giving it time to soak into each hole.
• Chill the cake for at least one hour before frosting for the best texture.
• Dust the finished cake with a little ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar before serving for an extra touch of cinnamon roll flavor.

Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is an easy fall dessert made with a boxed cake mix, a rich cinnamon filling, and creamy homemade frosting. It delivers all the comforting flavor of cinnamon rolls without making yeast dough.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Chilling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

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Cake

• 1 box white cake mix plus the ingredients listed on the package (water, oil, and eggs)

Cinnamon Filling

• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• ⅓ cup butter softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk if needed

Optional

• Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar for dusting

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare and bake the cake according to the package directions. Let the cake cool completely.
• Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a thick straw, poke holes about 1 inch apart over the entire cake.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
• Slowly pour the cinnamon filling over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Spread any remaining filling evenly over the top and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add milk only if needed until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
• Spread the frosting over the chilled cake. If desired, dust lightly with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar before serving.

Notes

• Cool the cake completely before adding the cinnamon filling.
• Poke holes evenly across the cake so every slice is full of cinnamon flavor.
• Refrigerating the cake allows the filling to soak in and improves the texture.
• Dust with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar just before serving for extra cinnamon roll flavor.

Love this recipe? Save this Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting to your favorite Pinterest dessert board so it’s ready whenever you want the comforting flavor of cinnamon rolls without the extra work of making yeast dough.

If you’re looking for a simple dessert with all the comforting flavor of cinnamon rolls, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. Happy baking!

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