Name: Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounce spice cake mix; 1½ cups pumpkin purée; 2 large eggs; ½ cup melted butter; 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling; 1 cup cream cheese frosting; ½ cup chopped pecans

There's something irresistibly cozy about fall flavors wrapped up in a dessert, and this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe hits all the right notes. Moist, festive, and drizzled with caramel, it’s a dessert that’s both comforting and impressively simple to make.

A square piece of orange-brown cake sits on a white plate with speckles. The cake has two layers: a thick, moist bottom layer and a thick white cream layer on top. The cream is sprinkled with small pieces of pecans and it is drizzled with light brown caramel sauce that also pools on the plate. Around the cake on the plate are whole and broken pecans. The plate is stacked on two more similar white plates. The background is a white marbled surface, and behind the plate, part of a white baking dish with more cake is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe more times than I can count through autumn, and it never fails to wow friends and family alike. It combines that nostalgic spice cake flavor with pumpkin’s natural earthiness and an unforgettable caramel finish. Every bite feels like a big warm hug.

Effortless Comfort: Using a boxed spice cake mix saves time but the pumpkin and spices make it taste homemade and fresh.
Decadent Layers: The caramel sauce soaked into the cake adds moisture and richness that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese frosting.
Crunchy Texture Contrast: Chopped pecans on top add a lovely crunch to balance the soft cake and smooth frosting.
Perfect for Make-Ahead: It actually tastes better the next day, making it great for holiday gatherings or busy weekends.

The image shows a square piece of soft, orange-brown cake on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has a thick layer of white cream frosting on top, sprinkled with chopped pecans. A shiny, amber caramel sauce is drizzled over the frosting and some of it runs down the sides, pooling slightly on the plate. Whole pecans are scattered around the cake on the plate. A gold fork lies next to the cake. In the background, there is a larger dish of the same cake with a white frosting border and pecan pieces, along with decorative small pumpkins and grey stones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a part in crafting a perfectly moist, flavorful cake that needs no fancy extras. What I love is how simple pantry staples combine with pumpkin for an outstanding autumn treat. Grab a high-quality pumpkin purée for the best flavor and a reliable spice cake mix to keep things easy.

Flat lay of smooth pumpkin purée, rich caramel sauce glistening under soft light, creamy white cream cheese frosting dollops, warm golden melted butter, whole and cracked large eggs, vibrant brown pumpkin pie spice scattered artistically, and a handful of chopped pecans with their rugged texture, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Spice Cake Mix: The base that brings cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves right into the batter without measuring a dozen spices yourself.
Pumpkin Purée: Adds moisture and that signature pumpkin taste; canned works perfectly, no need to roast.
Eggs: Bind everything together, helping the cake rise and maintain structure.
Melted Butter: Gives richness and a tender crumb that’s so important for moist cake.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: A little extra boost of cozy, warming spice beyond the mix.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances out sweetness.
Caramel Sauce: The magic ingredient you poke into the cake to infuse it with gooey sweetness.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy frosting that pairs beautifully with sweet caramel and spiced cake.
Chopped Pecans: Adds a delicious crunch and nutty depth.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to tweak this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap pecans for toasted walnuts or sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on top before chilling. Feel free to play around with the toppings and spices — this cake’s forgiving and fun to make yours.

Nut-Free Variation: I've made this without nuts for family members with allergies; just skip the pecans or substitute with toasted coconut flakes for crunch.
Extra Pumpkin Flavor: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract alongside the pumpkin purée deepens the pumpkin taste beautifully.
Less Sweet Option: I sometimes cut back on the caramel drizzle slightly if I’m serving this with very sweet sides.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe

Step 1: Mix Together the Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 9×13 pan well (I use a little butter and a dusting of flour). In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin purée, eggs, melted butter, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir gently but thoroughly until you have a smooth, uniform batter — no lumps!

Step 2: Bake and Cool Slightly

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Don't overbake — you want it soft enough to absorb the caramel but firm enough to hold together. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before the next step.

Step 3: Poke and Pour

Grab a wooden spoon handle or similar tool and poke holes all over the warm cake. The holes let the caramel sauce seep deep, infusing moisture and richness. Pour the caramel evenly over the whole cake surface, then pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes to soak and set up.

Step 4: Frost and Finish

Spread a thick layer of cream cheese frosting over the chilled cake — I find that chilling first prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off. Top with chopped pecans and drizzle a little more caramel sauce for that extra wow factor. Give it a final chill for at least another 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned how the success of this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe hinges on letting the caramel soak in and properly chilling the cake before frosting. These small steps make a big difference in texture and flavor.

Perfect Poking: Don’t just poke a few holes—aim for evenly spaced, deep holes so that every bite gets that caramel goodness.
Chill Twice: Chilling after pouring the caramel and again after frosting helps the layers set perfectly without running or melting.
Room Temperature Frosting: Let your cream cheese frosting sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes so it spreads smoothly and doesn’t tear the cake.
Don’t Skip the Pecans: The crunchy pecans add a lovely textural contrast that really elevates the whole cake.

How to Serve Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with chopped pecans and a drizzle of caramel sauce, but fresh whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top can add a lovely extra touch. For a party, a few toasted pepitas or a dusting of nutmeg look beautiful too.

Side Dishes

This cake shines best on its own with a cup of hot apple cider or coffee. But if you're serving a full meal, it pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream as a side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive gathering, I’ve served this Pumpkin Poke Cake in mason jars layered with extra cream cheese frosting and pecans for easy individual desserts. Another favorite is slicing it into squares and topping each piece with a candied pecan and a tiny edible flower for a sophisticated look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep this cake covered tightly in the fridge to preserve its moisture and flavor for up to 4 days. It holds up beautifully, so you won’t have to rush to finish it. Just bring it to room temperature for about 10–15 minutes before serving again to soften the frosting.

Freezing

I’ve often frozen the cake BEFORE frosting it—wrap the unfrosted cake in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add frosting and toppings fresh for a taste that’s almost as good as homemade on the spot.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t usually necessary. However, if you like it slightly warmed, gently microwave individual slices for about 10 seconds, but skip the frosting warmth to keep its texture intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe from scratch without a box mix?

Absolutely! You can substitute the spice cake mix with your favorite homemade spice cake batter. Just be sure the batter's texture is similar to the mix to get the moist poke effect you want.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Keep this cake wrapped tightly in the refrigerator, ideally in an airtight container. It stays moist and delicious for up to 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned purée?

Yes, but be sure it’s fully cooked and pureed smoothly before measuring it out. Homemade pumpkin purée can have more moisture, so you might want to reduce other liquids slightly or drain excess moisture.

Is the cake suitable for freezing after it’s frosted?

I don’t recommend freezing the cake once it’s frosted because the texture of the cream cheese frosting can change after thawing. Instead, freeze the unfrosted cake and add frosting after it’s thawed for best results.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe has become one of my go-to crowd-pleasers every fall. It’s so easy but feels special, and the flavor combination never disappoints. I’m excited for you to try it and see just how simple it is to enjoy that warm, spiced pumpkin magic with a luscious caramel twist in your own kitchen.