Bananas Foster Poke Cake

Bananas Foster Poke Cake perfectly captures the rich, buttery, rum-infused essence of the beloved New Orleans dessert, transformed into a moist, luscious poke cake that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

This dessert combines fluffy golden cake layers with pockets of caramelized banana rum sauce, creamy banana pudding, and a light whipped topping, finished with crunchy Biscoff cookies or cinnamon graham crackers for added texture.

Ideal for gatherings or anytime you crave a show-stopping sweet treat, this recipe walks you through every step for a flawless result with spectacular flavor.

Ingredients Checklist

To create this irresistible Bananas Foster Poke Cake, gather the following ingredients. They are divided by function to keep preparation organized.

Cake Base:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) butter golden or yellow cake mix

• Ingredients required by the cake mix (usually eggs, butter or oil, and water)

• ½ ounce jar caramel sauce

• 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced

• ¾ ounce instant banana cream pudding mix

• 1 cup cold milk

• 8-ounce tub Cool Whip, thawed

Bananas Foster Sauce:

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup dark rum (use rum extract if preferred)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 cup chopped pecans

• Crushed Biscoff cookies or cinnamon graham crackers for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to achieve the perfect balance of moist cake, caramelized bananas, and creamy layers.

1. Bake the Cake:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

• In a large bowl, combine cake mix with the specified ingredients (eggs, butter or oil, water) and mix until smooth.

• Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake according to package instructions (typically 25–30 minutes) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

• Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes.

2. Prepare the Bananas Foster Sauce:

• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

• Stir in brown sugar and cook until the mixture is bubbly and sugar dissolves.

• Carefully add rum (or rum extract), stirring to combine. Remove from heat.

3. Poke and Soak:

• Using the wide end of a chopstick or a skewer, poke holes all over the warm cake’s surface, spacing about 1 inch apart.

• Slowly pour the warm bananas foster sauce over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole.

• Spread sliced bananas evenly over the cake, pressing gently to set them.

4. Prepare the Pudding Layer:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the instant banana pudding mix with cold milk until thickened (about 2 minutes).

• Spread the pudding evenly over the bananas and cake.

5. Chill and Finish:

• Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours to allow the pudding to set and flavors to meld.

• Just before serving, spread thawed Cool Whip over the pudding layer.

• Sprinkle crushed Biscoff cookies or cinnamon graham crackers and chopped pecans on top for crunch and extra flavor.

Tips for Perfect Results

• Use ripe but firm bananas: Overripe bananas may turn mushy and affect texture.

• Poke holes evenly: For even sauce absorption and moist cake layers.

• Warm sauce slightly: Ensure sauce is warm but not boiling when poured to prevent cake collapse.

• Chill long enough: Give pudding and sauce time to set for best texture.

• Substitutions: If Biscoff cookies are unavailable, cinnamon graham crackers are an excellent substitute adding similar spice notes.

• Adjust rum flavor: Use rum extract for milder alcohol flavor or omit for kids’ friendly version.

• Freshness: Assemble close to serving time for best flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve slices with extra dollops of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Drizzle warm caramel or leftover bananas foster sauce over individual servings for an indulgent finish.

• Garnish with fresh banana slices or toasted pecans to enhance presentation and texture.

• Pair with hot coffee or spiced tea to complement the dessert’s rich flavors.

• For parties, cut into small squares and serve on decorative platters for easy sharing.

Final Thoughts

This Bananas Foster Poke Cake recipe delivers an irresistible combination of caramelized rum sauce, moist banana cake, and creamy pudding layers topped with a light whipped finish and crunchy cookies.

It effortlessly balances indulgence with simplicity, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers. The layered textures and classic flavors guarantee a dessert that will captivate guests and become a cherished staple in your recipe collection.

With the helpful tips and clear instructions provided, you can create a memorable, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for any occasion.