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; 1.5 cups pumpkin purée; 2 large eggs; 0.5 cup melted butter; 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 1 cup caramel sauce plus more for drizzling; 1 cup cream cheese frosting; 0.5 cup chopped pecans

There’s something so cozy and inviting about this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe — the way the caramel sauce seeps into every crevice and is topped with luscious cream cheese frosting just makes you want to dive right in. It’s like fall comfort packed into a slice.

A square piece of orange-brown cake with a rough, soft texture sits on a stack of three white plates. The cake has a thick layer of smooth white frosting on top, sprinkled with chopped pecans in varying sizes. Golden caramel sauce is drizzled over the frosting and around the plate, with a few whole pecans scattered on the plate. A gold fork is placed beside the cake on the top plate, and the background shows a white marbled surface with a white baking dish partially visible, also containing the remaining cake. 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 have to tell you, this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe quickly became a favorite in my house because it’s incredibly simple yet feels special — that rich spiced cake soaked with caramel is pure magic. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Simple Prep: Uses a cake mix as a base, so it’s quick to throw together even on busy days.
Moist and Flavorful: Poking holes and adding caramel gives the cake this wonderful gooey texture and deep sweetness.
Perfect Fall Flavors: Pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice bring a warm, seasonal vibe without overpowering the cake.
Showstopper Topping: Cream cheese frosting with pecans and extra caramel drizzle creates that lovely balance of creamy and crunchy.

A square piece of orange-brown cake sits on a white plate with a gold fork to the left. The cake has two main layers: a moist, crumbly orange-brown base and a thick, creamy white frosting on top. The frosting is sprinkled with small pieces of brown pecans, with some pecans scattered around the plate. Golden caramel sauce is drizzled over the frosting and plate, pooling in areas around the cake. The background is a white marbled surface with a white baking dish holding more cake blurred in the back, along with decorative pumpkins and scattered pecans. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients really shapes the success of this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe. Everything works in harmony to turn an easy cake mix into a luscious, festive dessert.

Flat lay of vibrant pumpkin purée in a small glass jar, golden melted butter glistening in a clear container, rich caramel sauce flowing gently beside smooth, creamy white cream cheese frosting dolloped softly, whole bright brown pecans scattered artfully, fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg powder sprinkled lightly as pumpkin pie spice, warm golden-brown spice cake pieces broken to show texture, and two fresh large eggs with clean shells, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Spice Cake Mix: This provides a flavorful base with warm spices already incorporated, saving you time and effort.
Pumpkin Purée: Adds moisture and that unmistakable fall flavor that pairs beautifully with the spices.
Eggs: Bind the batter together, giving structure and richness.
Melted Butter: Adds a buttery richness that elevates the cake beyond just a boxed mix.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Just a hint boosts the cake’s warm and cozy flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
Caramel Sauce: The star of the "poke" step, it melts into the cake creating pockets of gooey sweetness.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Offers a tangy, creamy contrast to the sweet caramel and spiced cake.
Chopped Pecans: Add crunch and a nutty touch that complements the smooth frostings and dense cake.

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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 how forgiving this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe is when it comes to customization. You can easily swap in your favorite nuts or add some mix-ins to the batter for a personal touch — it’s all about making it your perfect cozy cake.

Add-Ins: I sometimes toss in mini chocolate chips or swirl in a bit of maple syrup to the batter for a little extra sweetness and depth.
Dairy-Free Option: Using a dairy-free cream cheese frosting and vegan butter works great if you need a non-dairy version.
Spice Adjustments: If you love a bit more kick, try bumping up the pumpkin pie spice or adding a pinch of cinnamon and cloves.
Nut Options: Swap pecans for toasted walnuts, or skip nuts altogether for a nut-free dessert that still delivers crunch with crisp topping.

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

Step 1: Mix It Up

I start by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing a 9x13 inch pan — greasing thoroughly means the cake will come out cleanly. Then, in a large mixing bowl, I combine the cake mix, pumpkin purée, eggs, melted butter, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir it all until the batter feels smooth and slightly thick. Don’t overmix though — just enough so everything’s blended.

Step 2: Bake and Cool Slightly

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan, then pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes. You want it just done — a toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. After baking, let the cake cool for about 15 minutes so it’s warm but not hot; this helps the caramel soak in better in the next step.

Step 3: Poke and Pour Caramel

Here’s my favorite part: using the handle of a small wooden spoon, I poke holes all over the cake, spacing them a couple of inches apart. These holes let the caramel sauce seep deep into the cake, creating those irresistible gooey spots when you bite in. Pour the entire cup of caramel sauce over the cake, making sure it fills the holes that you poked. Then, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let everything set up and absorb.

Step 4: Frost, Sprinkle, and Drizzle

Spread the cream cheese frosting gently but evenly over the chilled cake — letting the cake sit at room temp about 10-15 minutes before frosting helps it spread smoothly without tearing. Then sprinkle the chopped pecans all over the top for texture and a nutty flavor. Finally, drizzle more caramel sauce over everything for that gorgeous finishing touch.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Put the cake back in the fridge for at least another 30 minutes so the frosting firms up again, and the flavors meld beautifully. Then slice, serve, and watch everyone’s faces light up!

Top Tip

Over the years, making this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe several times taught me a few tricks that really elevate the final cake. Here are some tips to help you nail it every time.

Don’t Skip the Chill: Letting the cake chill after poking and after frosting allows the caramel to sink in and frosting to set perfectly, preventing it from melting or sliding off.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the batter come together smoothly and ensures even baking.
Poke Evenly: Space your holes consistently across the cake so caramel distribution feels balanced in every bite.
Frost with Care: Warm your cream cheese frosting slightly or let the cake come to room temp before frosting to avoid tearing or clumping.

How to Serve Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I always top mine with a sprinkle of pecans because I love the crunch contrasting with the creamy frosting and gooey caramel, but you could also try toasted coconut flakes or a few cinnamon dustings for a festive twist.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream — especially on cooler evenings. And if you want a drink pairing, chai tea or a warm latte really bring out that pumpkin spice vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe in individual mason jars layered with extra caramel and pecans on top — it looks adorable and makes portion control easier during family gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I keep the cake covered in the fridge, and it stays moist and delicious for up to 4 days. It’s actually tastier the next day, so leftovers aren’t a problem in my house!

Freezing

Freezing works best for the unfrosted cake — I freeze it wrapped tightly, then thaw overnight in the fridge before adding frosting and toppings. This way the texture stays just right without the frosting getting weird from freezing.

Reheating

I usually serve this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe chilled, but if you want it a little warmer, I let slices sit at room temp for 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the frosting and caramel unevenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe from scratch?

Absolutely! While this recipe uses a spice cake mix for convenience, you can bake a homemade spiced pumpkin cake instead—just be sure it’s dense enough to hold up to poking and soaking with caramel.

What type of caramel sauce works best?

I find a thick, good-quality store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly. If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade caramel sauce is fantastic too and lets you control the sweetness and flavor.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free spice cake mix and double-check that all other ingredients, like the caramel and frosting, are gluten-free. This recipe adapts well and tastes just as good.

How long should I chill the cake before serving?

Chilling for at least 30 minutes after adding caramel and again after frosting is important to let everything set properly. Ideally, chilling for an hour total gives the best texture and flavor absorption.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Poke Cake Recipe holds a special place on my fall dessert list because it’s the perfect balance of easy, flavorful, and seriously indulgent. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck or just want a treat at home, I’m confident you’ll enjoy every gooey, spiced bite as much as I do. Go ahead, give it a try — your autumn celebrations just got sweeter!