Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

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Imagine digging your fork into a warm, buttery cake drenched in rich praline sauce, every bite bursting with gooey caramel sweetness and crunchy toasted pecans. That’s exactly what you get with this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake—a heavenly Southern-inspired dessert that hits all the right notes of comfort and indulgence. Moist, tender cake meets a buttery toffee glaze that seeps into every poke hole, creating layers of irresistible flavor and texture.

Whether you’re making it for a holiday gathering, Sunday dinner, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, this dessert is a showstopper. The combination of a soft, buttery cake base and a velvety praline topping is dangerously addictive and surprisingly easy to pull together. One slice is never enough, especially when it’s served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Why You’ll Love This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• It’s ultra-moist thanks to the poke technique and praline sauce.
• Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or holidays—feeds a crowd and impresses every time.
• Combines the best of buttery cake and pecan pie flavors.
• Easy to make with simple pantry staples and no special baking skills required.
• Can be made ahead and stored, making it ideal for planning.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Here’s what you’ll need to prep like a pro:

• 9×13 Baking Dish: Essential for creating the perfect cake shape and allowing enough surface area for the praline sauce to soak in.
• Electric Mixer (Hand or Stand): Speeds up the mixing process and ensures a smooth, lump-free batter.
• Wooden Spoon or Skewer: Used to poke holes all over the cake, allowing the praline sauce to seep deeply into every bite.
• Medium Saucepan: Necessary for melting the butter and sugar into a luscious praline sauce.
• Mixing Bowls: One large for cake batter and one medium for preparing wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk & Spatula: For smooth mixing and efficient batter scraping.

Each tool plays a crucial role in streamlining your baking process and delivering that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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Preparation Tips

Bring all your refrigerated ingredients like eggs and butter to room temperature before starting for easier mixing and a more uniform batter. Don’t overmix the cake batter—just blend until everything is incorporated to avoid a dense texture. When poking holes into the warm cake, space them evenly and poke deep so the sauce can fully penetrate. Toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor, and pour the praline sauce while it’s still warm to ensure it flows smoothly into the cake.

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Ingredients for this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

For the Cake:

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix (15.25 oz)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Praline Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Optional Topping:

• Additional chopped toasted pecans
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

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Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter pecan cake mix, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer on medium speed and mix until the batter is smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.

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Step 2: Bake the Cake

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter. Pour the batter evenly into the dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake to maintain moistness.

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Step 3: Poke the Cake

Once the cake is out of the oven and still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the cake. Space the holes about 1 inch apart, going about three-quarters of the way down into the cake. This step is key for letting the praline sauce seep through.

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Step 4: Make the Praline Sauce

While the cake cools slightly, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and stir constantly until the mixture is smooth, thickened, and begins to bubble (about 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla and toasted pecans.

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Step 5: Pour the Sauce Over the Cake

Slowly pour the warm praline sauce evenly over the entire surface of the cake, making sure it fills the holes. Use a spatula to gently spread and guide the sauce into the crevices. Allow the cake to cool so the sauce can soak in and set.

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Step 6: Garnish and Serve

If desired, top the cake with extra toasted pecans for added crunch and visual appeal. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. For a decadent finish, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream right before serving.

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Notes

This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is best when served slightly warm, allowing the praline sauce to be gooey and rich. If you prepare it ahead of time, gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds before serving. Toasting the pecans adds a depth of flavor and crunch that complements the moist cake perfectly. Also, using sweetened condensed milk in the praline sauce ensures a luxuriously smooth texture and balanced sweetness.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Not poking deep enough holes: Make sure your holes reach at least three-quarters of the way down so the praline sauce fully soaks in.
• Pouring cold sauce: Always pour the sauce while it’s still hot to ensure it flows easily into the cake.
• Skipping the toasting step for pecans: Toasted pecans bring out a nutty aroma and flavor—don’t skip it.
• Overbaking the cake: This leads to a dry base. Check at the 30-minute mark with a toothpick.
• Using cold eggs or milk: Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and help the cake bake evenly.

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Storage Instructions

Cover and store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure it’s cooled completely before refrigerating. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months—wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat individual portions in the microwave. The sauce may thicken when chilled but will return to a smooth texture once warmed.

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Estimated Nutrition (per serving, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 480
• Total Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 75mg
• Sodium: 360mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 58g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 43g
• Protein: 5g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes! While butter pecan is traditional, yellow or vanilla cake mix can also work in a pinch. You may lose some of the nutty undertones, but it’ll still be delicious.

Can I make this cake in advance?

Absolutely. This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Just store it covered in the fridge.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?

No, sweetened condensed milk is essential for the sauce’s texture and sweetness. Evaporated milk won’t provide the same result.

How do I toast the pecans?

Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, stirring halfway through. Keep an eye on them—they burn quickly.

What’s the best way to poke holes in the cake?

Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a thick skewer. Avoid anything too thin, or the sauce won’t soak in as well.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use two 9×13 pans and double all the ingredients. It’s great for large gatherings!

Is this cake overly sweet?

It is rich and sweet, but the balance of buttery cake and nutty pecans prevents it from being cloying. Serving with unsweetened whipped cream helps too.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, substitute a gluten-free cake mix and check all ingredient labels to ensure they’re gluten-free. The results are still decadent and satisfying.

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Conclusion

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert—easy to prepare, visually stunning, and packed with rich, buttery flavor in every bite. Its gooey praline sauce and crunchy pecans make it a crowd favorite that’s perfect for both everyday indulgences and special occasions. With simple ingredients and a no-fuss method, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and time again.

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