A Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is a delicious dessert that combines a moist cake with a rich, buttery pecan praline topping. Here’s a recipe to make this decadent treat:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box of butter pecan cake mix (or yellow cake mix if unavailable)
- Ingredients required on the cake mix box (usually water, oil, and eggs)
For the Poke Cake:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 jar (caramel sauce or dulce de leche)
For the Praline Topping:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (or more, to your liking)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
For the Cake:
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Prepare the cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (or as instructed on the box). Prepare the butter pecan cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for the recommended time. Once the cake is done, let it cool for about 10 minutes.
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Poke the cake: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart. Be sure to go deep, but not all the way through to the bottom.
For the Poke Filling:
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Add sweetened condensed milk and caramel: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, followed by the caramel sauce (or dulce de leche). Use a spoon to help the liquids get into the holes and spread evenly across the cake.
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Let it soak: Allow the cake to cool completely and let the sweetened condensed milk and caramel mixture soak into the cake.
For the Praline Topping:
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Make the praline topping: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the pecans and salt and cook for another 3-4 minutes until everything is well combined and the topping thickens.
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Finish the cake: Pour the praline topping evenly over the cake and spread it out. Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Optional:
- You can add whipped cream on top for extra richness or even drizzle with additional caramel sauce.
Enjoy!
This cake is indulgent and perfect for any occasion. The combination of the buttery pecans and the rich caramel flavor makes it a true treat.