Published by Allyson
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Caramel Apple Poke Cake is packed with apples and then smothered in whipped cream and caramel. It's the easiest most delicious fall cake!
Caramel Apple Poke Cake is an easy cake mix recipe that takes hardly any time, but everyone will think you slaved all day over it. Don't like using cake mix? Go ahead and use your favorite spice cake recipe, but I love using the mix as a shortcut with this recipe. Jump into fall with this GREAT, totally delicious and super simple Caramel Apple Poke Cake! It's the fall dessert you’ve been dreaming of!
Fall desserts are my favorite, and I especially love everything caramel apple-y like these Caramel Apple Dumplings, Waffle Iron Caramel Apple Pies, and this Apple Monkey Bread with Caramel Drizzle!
What is a Poke Cake?
- A poke cake is a baked cake that is then 'poked' with the back of a wooden spoon to make holes in the cake. The holes should go to the bottom of the cake, allowing whatever filling to fill the holes.
- Poke cakes can be filled with puddings, whipped creams, syrups, caramel, jell-o and other liquids.
How to make Caramel Apple Poke Cake:
**Scroll down for how to make video and full ingredient list and directions**
- Use your favoriteSpice Cake Mixfor this recipe. Add chopped apples to the cake batter (make it according to the box directions). I love using fresh tree picked apples for this recipe, but in the fall super markets are FULL of fresh apples! Bake it!
- Once the cake is baked, poke holes using the handle of a wooden spoon (like this) all over the cake. Drizzle caramel - try my HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE RECIPE - all over the cake, letting it flow into the holes.
- Make the stabilized whipped cream (see below), then spread it over the top of the cake and top with more caramel and walnuts!!! YUM!!!!
More of my favorite fall recipes:
- Apple Grilled Cheese is perfect for fall! Smokey gouda cheese melted between tart granny smith apples is savory and delicious!
- Best back to school dinner recipes - With fall right around the corner, having easy meals for school nights is essential!
- Caramel Apple Dumplings - delicious caramel apples wrapped inside a crispy sugary shell! This is the PERFECT dessert!
- Caramel Apple Cider made in the slow cooker has only 3 ingredients, will leave your house smelling amazing, and warms your soul.
- Apple Monkey Bread is loaded with caramel, apples, and a sweet brown sugar butter glaze, this going to be everyone’s favorite fall treat! Serve it up for breakfast or dessert!
- One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta is creamy and comforting with cheese and pumpkin paired together in this delicious one pot meal!
- On this list you will find over 15 Fall Slow Cooker Recipes which are perfect to set and forget!
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5 from 17 votes
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Caramel Apple Poke Cake is packed with apples and then smothered in whipped cream and caramel. It's the easiest most delicious fall cake!
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:caramel apple poke cake
Servings: 18 depending on how you cut it
Ingredients
- 1box spice cake mixplus ingredients to make the cake - eggs, water, oil- see box directions
- 2-3granny smith appleschopped into small pieces
- 1teaspooncinnamon
- 1teaspoonflour
- 2cupsheavy cream
- ½cuppowdered sugar
- 2teaspoonnon flavored gelatin
- 1cupcaramel syrup/saucedivided in half
- ⅓cupwalnutsroughly chopped
Instructions
For cake:
Prepare box cake according to directions. In a small bowl, place apples and add flour and cinnamon, toss to coat. Fold apples into the cake batter. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Bake and cool completely. Set aside.
Prepare stabilized whipped cream:
In a small bowl, add 2 TBS warm water, and add your gelatin, mixing to combine. Let sit for 3-5 minutes, or until set. Using a stand or hand mixer, pour in heavy cream and powdered sugar. Beat for 30 seconds on medium speed. Cook gelatin in microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and then 30 additional seconds, stir. Gelatin should be liquid, if not, cook until it is liquid. Turn stand mixer onto high speed, and slowly stream the gelatin into the bowl with the cream. Turn all the way onto high and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Prepare poke cake:
Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over your cooled spice cake. Drizzle ½ cup caramel syrup over the poked holes.
Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake, then top with remaining caramel syrup. Add chopped nuts to the top, then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Recipe Video
This recipe was first published on Domestic Superhero in September 2016, and was updated in September 2017, August 2018, and September 2021.
Related
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Reader Interactions
Comments
kateclysmic
This looks delicious but where are the apples?
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Allyson
Wow, you are so right, I totally forgot to write them into the written recipe! If you watch the video, you can see that I add the apples into the batter before baking! Geez, total brain lapse! Thanks for letting me know!
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Des @ Life's Ambrosia
This looks like a perfect fall dessert!
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kudoskookies3
This cake looks incredibly moist and delicious!
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Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
OMG Amazing!
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Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
I love DESSERT anything! I want to stuff my face with this now!
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Dee
I could use a nice big slice of this right now. It looks amazing!
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Patricia @ Grab a Plate
I love that it's almost fall, and I love how easy this cake seems to make! It looks absolutely scrumptious!
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Catalina @ Peas & Peonies
OMG! Perfect fall dessert!
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Lisa Huff
Such a fun idea! Love it!
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Des
Poke cakes are the best! This one tops the list for fall must-make desserts!Reply
Jaide
This looks amazing!!!!
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Mallory Lanz
Such a simple, easy cake recipe for fall! Love it!Reply
Amanda
Such a good combination! Just in time for the fall season!Reply
Kim - Today's Creative Life
What a perfect fall dessert!Reply
Demeter
This looks like the perfect way to welcome in fall! So good!
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Sabrina
I love how easy poke cakes are to make. Can't wait to try this version!
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Charity Beth Long
I have to eat this! I can't resist caramel!Reply
Mahy Elamin
Sounds perfect! YUM, these really sound delicious! Thank you for a great recipe!Reply
Amanda Livesay
I love a poke cake recipe! This looks so good!
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Beth K
This is the most amazing cake I've ever seen!Reply
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity
This is absolutely droolworthy! Can't wait to give it a try!Reply
Kevin
I always was interested in this subject and still am, appreciate it for putting up.
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Julia
This cake is so delicious. It's difficult to beat apples and caramel combo!Reply
Allyson
It is the perfect combo!!!
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Eden
Loved this caramel apple cake! It was so flavorful and good, we ate it right up! My entire family loved it 🙂Reply
Krystle
I love the caramel and nuts on top. Planning to make again for thanksgiving!Reply
Erik
Definitely perfect for this time of year! Love the caramel element, too.Reply
Erin
This Caramel Apple Poke Cake looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!Reply
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
Sounds like the perfect dessert for fall! I need to try this asap!Reply
katerina @ diethood.com
This is such a fantastic dessert! Perfect for fall!Reply
Sandra
Such a really delicious dessert! A must-make for the apple season!Reply
Amanda Livesay
This is our favorite cake for fall! I've made it so many times and everyone always loves it.Reply
Allyson
So happy that you enjoyed it as much as we do!
Reply
