This Boston Cream Poke Cake tastes just like the pie but in cake form! Easily made with a boxed cake mix, pudding and chocolate frosting!
BOSTON CREAM POKE CAKE
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
TIPS FOR MAKING POKE CAKES:
- You’ll need a large round wooden spoon handle or other similar sized object to poke the holes. You want fairly large-sized holes for the pudding to go into.
- Don’t let the pudding set before pouring onto cake. Whisk the pudding well for a minute or two then start pouring straight into the holes of the cake.
- When softening the frosting in the microwave (to make it pourable) make sure not to get it bubbling hot. Just microwave it for a few seconds at a time and stir after each time until it gets to a smooth, pourable consistency. The cake should be completely cooled before doing this.
- I have tons of different poke cake ideas here on the blog. You can have a lot of fun with these cakes by switching out the cake, pudding and frosting flavors! One of my most popular poke cake recipes is this BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE!
- I don’t recommend doing this as a layer cake. It just won’t hold up because of the pudding.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
yellow cake mix
ingredients needed to make cake; eggs, oil and water
instant vanilla or French vanilla pudding
milk
chocolate frosting
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE BOSTON CREAM POKE CAKE:
Make cake mix according to directions and bake in a well-greased 9×13 pan. When cake is finished, while still warm, poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch) intervals using a wooden spoon handle or other similar size object. You want the holes to be fairly big so that the pudding has plenty of room to get down in there. Be sure to poke right down to the bottom of the cake.
In a bowl, add milk to pudding mixture and continue to whisk until most of the lumps are removed.
Pour pudding on top of warm cake. Taking care to pour straight into the holes in the cake.
Take a spoon and spread it out. I like to very gently press down to ensure that pudding goes into the holes and spread it all the way to the sides.
Put cake in fridge and allow to cool completely before adding the frosting (about 2 hours.) Remove the lid and foil covering from the tub of chocolate frosting. Pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Stir with a spoon. It should still be thick but pourable – not bubbly hot. Pour chocolate frosting on top of pudding.
Spread frosting to evenly cover cake. Start in the middle and gently spread to the sides.
Allow to cool on the counter for a few minutes, then put into the fridge to fully cool and set up. This cake needs to be kept refrigerated.This is one of those cakes that I think tastes better after it has sat in the fridge overnight. It really helps the pudding to settle in and blend all the flavors.
Originally published: March 2012
Updated & republished: January 2020
BOSTON CREAM POKE CAKE
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ingredients needed to make cake; eggs, oil and water
- 2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant vanilla or French vanilla pudding
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tub chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Make cake mix according to directions and bake in a well-greased 9 x13 pan.
- When cake is finished, while still warm, poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch) intervals using a wooden spoon handle or other similar size object.
- You want the holes to be fairly big so that the pudding has plenty of room to get down in there.
- Be sure to poke right down to the bottom of the cake.
- In a bowl, prepare pudding.
- Whisk together instant pudding mix with 4 cups milk.
- Whisk for about a minute until most of the lumps are gone.
- Pour pudding over cake. Taking care to pour it right into the holes as much as possible.
- Spread it all out and using the back of the spoon, gently push pudding down into the holes.
- Put the cake into the fridge to set and cool (about 2 hours).
- Remove the lid and foil covering from the tub of chocolate frosting.
- Pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
- Stir with a spoon.
- It should still be a little thick but pourable - not bubbly hot.
- Pour chocolate frosting on top of pudding.
- Spread frosting evenly over cake starting in the center then spreading it towards the sides.
- Allow to cool on the counter for a few minutes, then put into the fridge to fully cool and set up.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
WANT MORE POKE CAKES? TRY THESE!
BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE
CARROT PUDDING POKE CAKE
LEMON RASPEBERRY POKE CAKE
BUTTERFINGER POKE CAKE
RED VELVET POKE CAKE
COCONUT CREAM POKE CAKE
Yum! This cake looks so good. Love your site.
Yum, easy and delicious!
Oh my, I'm drooling. I love poke cake, and then to add some chocolate… yummy!
Made it – AMAZING!! Definitely even better the second day!
That sounds very good
that sounds amazing!
Made this one before, it's fabulous!! I also make the red velvet poke cake with oreos. That is to die for and is now requested at family gatherings! Love this website!
Making this now it’s an easy one and all my favorite flavors
Oh.my.goodness!
Poke cakes are the best! Yours looks aaaaahhhmazing!
Boston cream pie is hubby's favorite! I love this easy version- I may have to surprise him with a little treat. 🙂
This cake looks just wonderful. I hope to make it this week. Thanks for the great recipes.
OK Cake Boss ;-} – another lovely creation that is bound to be tasty. I love your tutorials and the ease of your recipes. Thanks for sharing your creative self with the rest of us. =)
Thank you so much for all of your great recipes! And thanks for making it okay to bake using cake mixes and store-bought frosting! You make such a statement that good food doesn't always have to be made TOTALLY from scratch or the hard way! This cake is right up my alley,as Boston Cream Pie is my favorite cake. Love your site!
oh..my..goodness! Boston Creme Pie is one of my favories. I will be trying this one!
The cakes looks yummy! Question about the extra frosting. Do you think you need it after pouring the canned frosting on the cake?
If this is anything like your eclair cake (and I believe it is,) I am going to love this! It's making me really hungry and ponder cheating on my diet 😉
Anonymous, you don't need to provide a cell phone number to print this recipe. Just click on the link and it takes you to the recipe in Google Docs. No information is asked of you to do that. Sorry you seemed to be having problems.
I've never had a poke cake before, I know, GASP!! I absolutely LOVE Boston Creme doughnuts so this cake has my name ALL over it!!! Can't wait to make it 🙂
Wowsers, your recipe looks creamy, moist and sweet. I would have loved a huge slice of this for dessert tonight! I hear ya on the cake – I love it too – so many varieties/flavor and texture combos…slap a little fruit on it and call it healthy, ya know..cake rocks!
I am making this tonight for a co-worker's last day – that lucky, lucky woman…
In the process of making this now fo my grandmother's 78th bday tomorrow. The cake is baked, the pudding is on and it is in the fridge cooling, then time for the chocolate! Can't wait to bite into it tomorrow! Thanks for sharing! *D*
Thanks for a great inspiration! This sounded so good! But I am always on the lookout for ways to cut sugar and fat and still have something tasty and delicious (lap band patient myself, and have diabetic friends/family). I took your idea and tweaked it. Used a sugar free Pillsbury Yellow Cake mix, and mixed it with a 12 ounce can of diet lemon lime soda. (no eggs, no oil…just cake mix and soda). Baked that in the 9×13 pan. Poked it and followed your other instructions except I used sugar free fat free pudding mix and sugar free chocolate frosting in the tub. It was yummy and well received! Thanks for a great idea! Will be taking this to the inlaws for Easter!
SO happy y'all have enjoyed this one! Thank you so much for letting me know! Craft Teacher, I'm so glad you have found some sugar-free options for this. It's always good to know in case other readers ask how they can make a dessert like this diabetic-friendly! Thanks so much!
thank you so much for these awesome poke cake recipes! my boyfriend and i run a small bbq takeout place and i have to make a lot of the desserts we serve. i have been doing a lot of these poke cake variations and they have been a hit! these recipes have been a life saver.
Hi Cappy! Oh wow!! That is so wonderful to hear! Where is your bbq joint? Anywhere in Virginia where I can come visit? 🙂
I love that these cakes have been a success for you (and your business). Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I know running your own businesses takes a ton of work and there isn't always a lot of off time so I really appreciate you coming back here to let me know!
Found this on Pinterest. I will be making it for Easter. Looks delicious! I will also now be following your site! Thanks!!
I've made a similar cake before called Danube waves. You prepare the yellow cake mix, then spread only half of it in the pan. Add cocoa powder to the rest of the batter, spread this on top of the yellow batter. Now "poke" cherries into the mixture to make the waves. After baking, add the pudding mixture and chocolate. Very yummy!!!
This sounds really yummy! I am going to try to make this today for Easter.
Made this boston cream poke cake, and was so glad that I made it in a 13×9 since my sister was over with her two boys! Needless to say, with four teenagers in the house and three adults….it was devoured lickety split! Delicious and super simple! My husband's only complaint was that the boys ate it all up and there wasn't a bite leftover for him to take to work. Good enough reason to make another one! 😀 Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I tried this for Easter and it was delicious, even though I microwaved the frosting just a little too long and it just ran off the pudding. Clearly, you have to get the right consistency for the frosting, but it was delicious and my husband was in love! This recipe is a keeper!
Hi! Found you on Pinterest (bet you get that a lot haha) and tried this gorgeous looking recipe tonight to celebrate a big victory for my husband at work. We are impatiently waiting for it to chill in the fridge, and the house smells GREAT. It was so simple, thanks for the idea, photos, everything!! : ) I'm sure it will get repeat performances around here. LOL
Made the cake and it was so good!!! I did not make the extra frosting because I thought the canned frosting was enough chocolate.
I made 6 of these last night for a church diiner & it was a HIT!!!! I did make frosting was afraid to try the canned type. I learned from the 1st cake the bigger the holes the better! will go down as one of my favorites!
I just saw this on Pinterest, pinned by one of the people I follow. How did I miss this one? OMG I love Boston cream pie! This is heaps easier and the top layer won't fall off the bottom layer if you sneeze. 🙂
Made this the other night for my hubby's birthday. Boston Cream pie is his absolute favorite dessert. This is such an easy and DELICIOUS recipe!! Hubs can't get over how much it tastes like Boston Cream and I can't get over how easy it was to make. Absolutely fabulous.
This is delicious! I recommend leaving it in the fridge over night before serving though. I tried a slice last night and one this morning and it was definitely better this morning.
Agree with the comment above. This is definitely better a day after chilling. Very tasty though!!
You have literally.made.my.day. :]-
I hope to be trying more of your goodness! Thanks for sharing..
Hi Brandi I absolutely adore your website! I just made your Boston Cream Poke Cake today. Its the first time I've ever made a poke cake. My husband who's a very fussy eater just LOVED it. My cake was slightly mounded in the middle, not sure why that happened, maybe it beat the batter for too long? Aside from that it was just perfect. I can't wait to make make more of your recipes. Thanks so much for all of your great pictures and hard work, they are very helpful.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the sweet comments!! I am SO happy to hear y'all like this recipe. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to leave a comment here telling me how it turned out for you!!
Looks great! My daughter wants it for a b-day cake, but first I'm going to bring it to the company cookout. I'm sure everyone will love it!
I made this the other day and although it tasted yummy, it was "liquidy" between the pudding and the frosting. Do you know what I did wrong?
Hi Brandi
I just adore this cake! Its so good I'm making it again…the second time in 2 weeks! But I have a question for you, its kind of a dilemma the last time I made this I had a typically sized 18.5 ounce box of Cake Mix. Now I'm finding that the boxes are 15 or 16 ounces! And these are the major food brands like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker. Are you finding this in your area also? I am in CT. Do you think these smaller boxes create the same quality cake? I'm so curious to hear your opinion.
Thank you for all your hard work on your blog
Hi Andrea! I'm a big fan of Duncan Hines and I've been buying them for a while now. I'm not sure why they changed portion sizes but I have found the quality has been the same. Also, the recipes that I've made for years using those mixes have all still turned out alright. I hope that helps answer your question. Thank you so much for your comment & I hope you continue to love all the recipes you try! 🙂
Thank you Natasha!! I appreciate you taking the time to come back & let me know how it turned out for you. So happy to hear this was a winner for ya!
I LOVE to make POKE CAKES for my Hubby….YOUR RECIPES MAKES ME HELP to FEEL like a REAL CAKE MASTER CHEF!!!!!!
THANKYOU SOOOOO VERY MUCH!!!!!!
MANY BLESSINGS ALWAYS!!!!!!
P.S. Do you have an ORANGE CRUSH POKE CAKE RECIPE???
This cake is great! Cheap and easy to make…but taste yummy! Made it last week everyone loves it…making it for homecoming…love that I won't be baking Sunday morn…and it will tastes even better after sitting overnite! Think I will make one tonite….off to the store I guess…
I made this this week (after finding it on pinterest) and I just wanted to tell you how in love my friends are! I know I'm not the first to say it, but YUM! Thank you so much for an awesome summer group dessert!
My boyfriend's favorite food in the entire world is a Boston cream donut– I made this for him today and he drooled! Completely in love… I found him sitting on the floor in front of our fridge with a fork, noming away. Priceless. The Frosting was thick, but didn't come out as thick and settled looking ad yours. It was firm, but didn't have the same appearance. We aren't if picky eaters, so not a problem! Thanks Brandie! Going to try banana cream PC next (:
Could you do this with cupcakes?
yummy! I think I will make this for my birthday, Friday! Glad I found your site.
Thank you for this recipe. I saved your Red Velvet Poke Cake from this Weekend's Potluck. Unlike a lot of sites, yours appears like you actually try, test, and tweak your recipes. We are poke cake fans, too. Your Coconut Poke Cake is our favorite. Please keep cooking and posting. Thanks again.
I made this today. It is soooooo good! I love Boston Cream Pie and this version is so easy — and portable! I'm taking it to my Dad's 88th birthday party tomorrow (and yes, I did have to try a piece tonight to make sure it tasted good!) Ha ha!
Thanks for sharing! Gooseberry Patch posted this on Pinterest and FB. It looks delicious and easy to make.
Looks like a cake my husband would love, and sounds perfect for an upcoming family reunion. Thanks so much for the great recipe!
I'm making this for my husband's birthday in a few weeks! Can't wait too see his face as he LOVES Boston Cream. I'll be sure to link back to you when I blog about it.
I am new to your site!!! I love Boston Cream donuts, but since I am a diabetic…..I can not have the orginal receipe. So I used the Pillsbury Sugarless yellow cake mix, instant sugarless vanillia pudding, and the final touch sugarless Pillsbury Chocolate frosting. This was very good and I could enjoy it. Thank you!!!!!
I used a turkey baster to fill the holes with pudding. That way i know the pudding is everywhere it belongs.
Absolutely wonderful and easy! Just made this tonight, again because don't ya know it's my little honey boy's favorite! He's a 16 yr old that want's you to know he's so glad his momma found your wonderful site! He personally sends his thanks! God bless and keep those lovely recipes coming! You are a fabulous cook! And you have made me one too! 🙂
My yellow cake is in the oven right now, taking it to a party tonight. I'm so excited to eat it, thank you for this recipe!
Love Boston Cream Pie … which is actually a cake of course. I definitely want to make this at the next occasion. I have been perusing all your poke cakes and they all look good.
Do you have any idea what your doing to me here? lol . I stumbled upon your website from Pinterest and ever since been over looking your recipes like they were real *more like wishing i could just reach through computer to grab a slice of cake. But enough said i shall be making this cake after i go shopping today . *Your killing me lol. thanks for sharing such yummie looking treats .
I believe I just gained 10 lbs! This one is new to me and I will be making it ASAP. I have all the ingredients I believe…and I'm sure the grands will love it.
Thanks for sharing!
Pat
Just made this…second time!!Love it!!
This cake is delicious !!
I made it and my husband was in heaven. It is one of my favorites.
OMG i was looking for a different cake to make for my sons birthday. he told me to surprise him so i am totally going to make this one!!!! thanks!!!!!! 😀
Oh-My-Goodness!! I have become ADDICTED to poke cakes and your WONDERFUL site! So far we have had Banana Cream Poke Cake, Oreo Poke Cake and I have *just* put the pudding on the cake for the Boston Creme Poke Cake. My humble thanks to you! 🙂
I have been looking for this recipe for years! I remember making these as a kid, but I had no idea they had an actual name: Poke Cakes. TYVM.
I was wondering if anyone had tried this recipe using cupcakes instead of cake. I think it would be easier to take to the holidays with lots of kids. Thanks!
Thanks for this quick delicious dessert recipe! It was great!
I just stumbled across your site and have spent the last 2 hours just looking over all the recipes you have posted. I could spend the whole day here, but then I wouldn't be able to try some of these wonderful recipes. Thank you so much for sharing, and please don't stop. I will be checking back here often. Love, Love, Love, this site.
Brandy – so happy to hear you had success with this one! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Sheryl, that is just the sweetest comment – thank you!! It makes my day to hear that. I hope you have lots of success with any of the recipes you might try!
My hubby loves boston cream pie so I will be making this for him..I know he will love it..and it seems allot easier than the cream pie version…thanks…:)
I made this poke cake last night and it was delicious. Only thing was when i first tried to cut it it was a little gooey still, but it was still good. I suggest to keep it overnight so the pudding and frosting can sit in so when you do cut it the next day you will have no mess 🙂 enjoy!
I made this cake a couple of days ago. I have never made a poke cake before. My husband told me that this was very, very good and to keep this recipe! I agree that this cake is better after being in the fridge overnight. I made it on Sunday afternoon and we had some after church Sunday night. The frosting slid around a little bit, but it was still good. It didn't slide any the next day and was so good. It reminded me of eclairs, too!
This was amazing. I made it for the Super Bowl. Thanks so much for this recipe. It's a keeper!
bought ingredients to this recipe today, but i have ??? b/c they don't sell the exact measurements of the instant pudding. there are small 1 oz. boxes and larger 1.5 oz. Do you buy enough to equal 6.8 oz since the recipe calls for 2 @ 3.4 oz?? What is the consistency of all of the pudding with only 4 cups of milk?? Am I reading this wrong? Help b/c I'm hoping to surprise my husband with it for a V-day dessert. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Hmmm…I've never seen boxes that small. How much milk are you supposed to add to those small boxes. Your guess would be as good as mine here. Our standard boxes here are generally around 3 oz. for the small and close to 5 oz. for the large. Are you here in the U.S.? I would just hate to tell you wrong and you are using a brand or pudding that I am not familiar with that has different instructions than what we are used to here. ~Brandie
Thank you Cheesy – good point! Are you looking at the blue boxes of instant Jell-O pudding. Those are the sugar free kind. Perfectly fine to use if you want to make this lower in sugar but I just use the regular kind myself. If you are going sugar free, then I would use the 1 oz. boxes. Hope it turns out good for you!! ~Brandie
wow! you're awesome, thank you so much for your quick response. we might just be able to figure this out so i can make it for thursday. yes, i live in the U.S., new york.
the smaller box (1 oz) uses 2 cups of milk and makes four 1/2 cup servings so 2 cups.
the larger box (1.5 oz) uses 3 cups of milk and makes six 1/2 cup servings so 3 cups.
i stood in the baking aisle trying to figure it out, i even asked another shopper. lol is this information helpful to help figure out how much pudding i should make (pudding & milk)? thanks again, i appreciate your assistance!!
Anon… Double check those boxes .. they may be the sugar free kind.
Thanks everyone. I'll report back with a review. 🙂
My review: HUGE HIT!!
My husband loved it. I made the lower fat version of the cake from the directions on the box (using water & unsweetened applesauce). I made 2 boxes of the 1 ounce puddings (yes, they were the sf/ff version) and it was too much pudding, but still very good!
I cannot wait to try another flavor of your poke cakes. Thank You!!
Can you make this with soy milk??
Anon- I certainly don't consider myself an accomplished cook- but I've made my share of mistakes before!! One of them was to use soy milk in a pudding/cool whip frosting for my lactose sensitive hubby. It didn't set up right and I later read that there's something about soy milk that doesn't work with jello. Go figure! I don't know if this is true of other dairy alternatives now available (almond, coconut, rice…) but maybe Google has an answer 😉
I have the cake in the oven right now and I am SOO excited to take this to a friend's house tomorrow! Boston Cream meets Poke Cake = Match made in heaven 🙂
Finally made this and hubby said it was one of best cakes I've ever made…not bad for 30 yrs of baking for him. 🙂
This cake is amazing! I made it this morning and had a piece this evening and it was sooo good! I didn't have any problems with the icing moving around, etc. The first piece was a little difficult to get out 'clean' but it still tasted wonderful! 😉 Can't wait to try the coconut poke cake this week for a work potluck! You and your recipes rock! Thanks! 🙂
Yay! I really appreciate y'all coming back to let me know how a recipe turned out for you. I am just so happy this one turned out to be a success! ~Brandie
I do not usually comment but had to on this. My husband has always been a fan of Boston Cream Pie. He has had diabetes for quite a few years so hasn't had one in quite a while. I made this with all "no sugar added" ingredients. He absolutely loved it!!
Yay!! I just love hearing that!! Thank you so much for letting me know!!
Looks wonderful! Do you think this would work with a gluten-free cake mix?
hmmmm…I've never tried but I'd love to hear your results if you give it a go!
thank you for the great cake recipes—-well all
the recipes
never heard of poke cake before, they all look delicious. I will have to resist trying them all.
? for you – could I put a chocolate ganache frosting over the
pudding? Where you combine heavy cream with chocolate morsels and cool – then spread on?
This is wonderful! Too bad when I was putting it back in the fridge after we all got a taste test tonight I dropped it. 🙁 Oh, well I will just have to make it again! 🙂
This recipe is just amazing! I made this last night and I can't stop eating it! LOL hopefully there will be some left for my son and husband later. This site is my new go to for recipes. Thanks again.
I made this cake last night for a cookout (today). It tasted delicious and it was a big hit! However, my icing never really set up. I made the cake/pudding parts last night and added the icing this morning after a night in the fridge. I stored it in the fridge until right before it was served. Any suggestions as to why the icing was runny?
2 AND 1/2 CUPS OF POWDERED SUGAR–2 TSP.WHITE KARO CORN SYRUP–2 TSP. VANILLA-3 TBS. SOFTENED BUTTER OR MARGARINE–3 TBS. MILK.
i USE IT ALL THE TIME. IT WORKS.
JOYCE
Stumbled onto your site from Pinterest. Oh. My. Goodness. Can't wait to try some of your poke cake recipes. Lots of parties coming up this summer, just screaming for lemon, Boston cream or red velvet poke cake!
Mine didn't come out nearly as neat looking as your after the hole poking step. I used a wooden spoon handle within about a minute of removing it from the oven…it looked really messy afterward. Should I have let it cool longer?
It says to do it while the cake is WARM…not HOT. I just did mine and waited about 10 minutes. I used a plastic mixing spoon and the procedure was tedious but problem free. I also substituted cheesecake flavored pudding for regular vanilla, just to make the flavor a little more interesting. I also dropped the cake on the counter (from only an inch or so) a few times to help the pudding settle into the holes a bit. Looking forward to sampling the result at tonight's birthday dinner.
I've made your red velvet poke cake and it was a huge hit at work! I just bought the stuff to make this one, and was wondering if you or anyone on here has tried doing these as cupcakes?
I love this cake I aslo made the banana pudding poke cake but my family just loved this one more! the first time i made it when poking the hole I made kind of a mess but it was still good! So this time when poking the hole I use a turkey baster and while I poked and twist this seemed to be less messy and less crumbs and the then when I poured the pudding I did it slowly so the pudding can go in the holes Im still practingon these recipies but having fun while I am doing it! thanks again for the recipies!
LOVE this cake… I made it and it disappeared, everyone liked it as well… 😀
Just saw this on Pinterest and this looks AMAZING! My MIL makes a Jello-o cake with the 'poke' technique – this I will have to try! Thanks!
~Jaime @ CouponCrazyFreebieFanatic.com
I am sharing this on FB with the following post- My kids made this cake last night- It was GREAT! And easy enough a 5 yo and 7 yo did it (only needed me to take the cake out of the oven!). They used a yellow butter golden cake, store brand vanilla pudding (2), store brand chocolate frosting. It set up great! Daddy said it was one of our best ideas yet! Thank you for sharing! There will be LOTS MORE poke cakes in this house!
Love all your recipes!!!! You have made them real simple, quick and delicious!! Baked the Boston Cream Cake 2 days ago and after it had sat overnight, it was Heavenly! Took the first bite and thought I was in paradise! I did made some changes to the recipe…used lemon flavored puddings and homemade white chocolate frosting. This is definitely a sinful dessert but mmmmm…so yummy!!! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes!
In the process of making this – I think that you must have let the pudding start to set up before pouring it on – I poured mine on the cake and it just disappeared into the cake – nothing to spread on top. I'm sure it will taste good but I won't have that layer of pudding 🙁
i made this last nite and it is DELICIOUS !!! i love boston cream pie and have bought them for years from bakeries , i had no idea it was just vanilla pudding in the middle hahahaha… !! anyways this was delicious and i just used pudding cups rather than make instant pudding, turned out terrific !! thanks again… great recipe !! DH , Prince Edward Island, Canada….
My son-in-law loves Boston Cream Pie, so
I am going to make this for him soon. It sure is an easier alternative!
We have many in our family who have Celiac Disease, or are wheat sensitive. So I will make this cake gluten free, also Weight Watchers friendly. The only change I think I would like to try is to make the topping out of a dark chocolate instead of the typical milk chocolate frosting flavor, the dark chocolate now being considered better for one.
My friend requests this for her birthday….so very good, easy and always hit!
It's ready for her 50th today!
I'm pretty sure you're a genius. Just sayin.
I've made this cake several times and it comes out perfect every time. The one tip I can suggest is to "dump" your pudding in the holes immediately after mixing it. It will sink down into the holes better. Otherwise it thickens too much and harder to get into the holes. Letting it set overnight really enhances the flavor.
First time I made this cake. Everyone love it! Thanks for posting.
This looks sooo good. I need to get a yellow cake mix (only have chocolate and white), then I will definitely try this. I want to try the Banana Pudding Poke Cake as well.
Our family is gluten free, tried a GF version today and my hubby just tucked in the kids and went to get a second piece! Thanks for the inspiration!
I made this cake and it was solo delicious!
Could this be frozen?
This looks fantastic. I was searching for a chocolate raspberry version I had many years ago and came across your website – brilliant! I love Boston Cream pie so I have to try this. Thanks for sharing!
I just read where you use the knife sharpening rod for poking holes it is perfect, I use mine to! LOL!
I make this sugar free for the hubby. Just use SF cake mix (Pillsbury),SF frosting (Pillsbury) and SF instant pudding. Comes out great. A wonderful treat for a diabetic.
This is the best cake EVER. This kids loved it. Thank you so much
This looks great. So easy too and at last this Scot knows what a poke cake is. Will be trying this next week. Thanks
Oh my goodness this sounds delicious!!! I'm definitely pinning to remember!
Debi @ That Crafty Lunch Lady
Looks absolutely delish, but what is 'yellow cake'? Is it butter cake? I don't use packet mixes so would like to try and figure this one out myself. I'd love to make it with strawberry jam or maple syrup poured over it, under the custard… how divine!!!
i am making this cake right now….
adding the frosting in a few mins.serving tomorrow.
I made this cake today. We will probably have it as dessert tomorrow. I used a funnel to get the pudding in the holes and it worked well. I eased the pudding down with the end of a thin spoon when it got a little thicker. Both worked great and the cake looks wonderful. Can't wait to try it!!!
This cake looks yummy will have to try it for sure
Thank you so much for this recipe! I used a turkey baster to force the pudding into the poked holes, and it filled the cake in so well! Thanks again – delicious!
I made this many times and everyone loves it.
I have made this cake twice now, and I have also made your Oreo poke cake as well!! As soon as we finish one of these cakes my boyfriend is always asking for another! Thank you so much for your recipes and for your dedication! 🙂
HI I MAKE HOMEMADE CAKES SO I WAS WONDERING CAN I MAKE MY BUTTER CAKE N CUSTARD INSTEAD OF THE CAKE MIX N PUDDING WILL IT WORK ???
You can certainly use your own cake recipe for the base.
Making it again today. Everyone loves it. I have done many different poke cakes. Thanks Brandie
Have made this cake twice. So easy and so good !
So easy and everyone loves it! Glad you are enjoying this recipe.
I've made this 3 times and everybody ask for the recipe. So easy and very good.
My packet of pudding says to cook for few minutes… My question is do I have to cook n thn pour or I should skip cooking the pudding?
You have the wrong type of pudding. You purchased cook and serve pudding and you need the instant pudding. Sorry!
Hi Brandie–
I purchased Duncan Hines Whipped Chocolate Frosting by accident instead of the usual “thick” frosting. Will melting the whipped chocolate frosting work?
Hi JJ – it will still work. Just don’t warm it up for too long. Keep a close eye on it. You want it to be easily spreadable but not hot so it will set up as it cools. Hope that makes sense!
It does! Thank you! I’ll tell you how it turns out!
I’m not sure what I did wrong when making the pudding. It was very watery. I followed all directions and still put the frosting on it. .
Hi Heather! It sounds like you made the cook & serve pudding (which needs to be cooked on the stove first) instead of the instant pudding :/
My husband absolutely loves this version of poke cake Above All Others!
I make it alot, and so many many more of Your Awesome recipes as well!
THANKS SO MUCH BRANDIE!! ????
Made this again tonight 2nd time in 3 weeks. My kids LOVED it. Lets see this time if it passes my niece’s family test!
Hi Tom! I love it!! Hope your niece loves it too! Appreciate you coming back to leave a comment on this recipe 🙂
I was searching Google in the middle of the night for a easy, pudding dessert. I saw this recipe come up . I knew I had found the one! Thanks to online grocery ordering and
pick-up I had all the ingredients for dinner and dessert by 9::30 am. The cake is in the refrigerator chilling but I don’t think it’ll make it till tomorrow for my Husband and I to taste test. I garnished my cake with fresh strawberries it looks scrumptious!
Can I use regular pudding, the kind you make on the stove and not instant pudding?
I made this last night and covered it with a plastic cover in the fridge. Today when I took the cover off– the frosting was wet and runny. It ran right off the pudding. It tasted wonderfully, but what did I do wrong? Should I not have covered it? I cooled it for at least 2 hours, but I still got condensation under the cover and I it dripped onto the frosting making it runny. It is fluid and did not harden. That’s the only thing I can think of. Does any one have any suggestions?
Hi Dolores, yes, it sounds like it was covered when everything wasn’t totally cooled. Heat is the only thing that would cause condensation on the plastic wrap. There is no need to cover it while in the fridge until you’ve already sliced it. I am so happy you enjoyed it though!! 🙂
Can you use a different kind of frosting? Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely! I have a ton of different poke cake options here on my site. The varieties are endless! 🙂
Hi, can’t find the 3.4oz of instant pudding in my area. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Dee, you’ll want to go with whatever instant vanilla pudding you can find. It can be two smaller boxes or one larger box. Hope that helps!
I have made this before but used a ganache in lieu of the chocolate icing in a tub?? This sounds easier still ha gonna make later this day..
I used Sherrif pudding and pie mix and it was an unmitigated disaster. The pudding mix didn’t get fluffy, only liquid, which ended up with golden cake soup when I poured it on. Undaunted, I remade the cake and used Jello vanilla pudding mix the second time. Bingo! It was a beautiful creation, devoured by my family.