Irresistible Bananas Foster Poke Cake: A Tropical Delight in Every Bite
Embark on a culinary adventure with our incredible Bananas Foster Poke Cake, a delightful dessert that transforms the iconic New Orleans classic into a moist, flavorful cake. This recipe starts with a simple cake mix, infused with the rich essence of ripe bananas and luscious caramel, then crowned with a cloud of airy whipped cream and a sprinkle of crunchy Biscoff cookies. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that promises to transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Louisiana.
The Legacy of Bananas Foster: From Flambé to Family Favorite
Before we dive into the cake, let’s appreciate the inspiration behind it. Bananas Foster is a legendary dessert created in 1951 at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans. Traditionally, it features bananas sautéed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum, then flambéed, often served with vanilla ice cream. The mesmerizing flame and the intoxicating aroma make it a spectacle to behold. Our Bananas Foster Poke Cake captures that same magical flavor profile – the sweet, caramelized bananas and warm spices – but in a fuss-free, family-friendly cake form that skips the fiery show without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. While our version is alcohol-free, you can easily introduce a hint of rum or rum extract to truly encapsulate that authentic Bananas Foster warmth, should you desire.
Why a Poke Cake? The Secret to Ultimate Moisture and Flavor
The “poke cake” technique is a beloved method for creating incredibly moist and flavorful desserts, and it’s particularly brilliant for this Bananas Foster rendition. After baking, the warm cake is generously perforated with holes, allowing a rich liquid – in this case, decadent caramel sauce – to seep deep into every crevice. This not only saturates the cake with moisture but also infuses it with an intense caramel flavor that complements the banana beautifully. It’s this ingenious method that ensures every forkful of our Bananas Foster Poke Cake is bursting with a harmonious blend of sweet, tender, and utterly irresistible goodness. The result is a cake that remains moist and delicious for days, making it perfect for preparing ahead for gatherings or enjoying throughout the week.
Essential Ingredients for Your Tropical Cake Creation
Crafting this Bananas Foster Poke Cake is simple thanks to readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this tropical dream to life:
- **Cake Mix:** A yellow or butter golden cake mix forms the perfect tender base. You’ll need the usual accompanying ingredients like butter (or oil), eggs, and water.
- **Caramel Sauce:** A good quality jarred caramel sauce is key for that rich, gooey infusion.
- **Ripe Bananas:** The star of the show! Make sure they’re ripe, but not overly mushy, for the best flavor and texture.
- **Instant Banana Cream Pudding:** This forms the core of our creamy, light topping.
- **Milk:** For preparing the pudding.
- **Cool Whip Whipped Topping:** Adds an extra layer of lightness and creamy sweetness to the topping.
- **Biscoff Cookies:** Crushed Biscoff cookies provide a unique, spiced crunch that elevates the entire dessert.
Crafting Your Bananas Foster Poke Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this spectacular dessert is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect Bananas Foster Poke Cake every time:
Step 1: Bake the Perfect Cake Base
Begin by preparing your butter golden or yellow cake mix according to the package instructions. You’ll want to bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring an even base for your poke cake. The goal is a tender, golden cake that’s ready to absorb all the delicious flavors we’re about to add. Once it’s out of the oven, don’t wait! While the cake is still warm, grab the handle of a wooden spoon, a meat fork, or even a thick skewer. Gently poke numerous holes all over the top surface of the cake. These holes should be large enough to allow the caramel sauce to generously seep in, but not so large that they compromise the cake’s structure. Aim for about an inch apart for optimal caramel distribution.
Step 2: Infuse with Rich Caramel
Next, take your jar of caramel sauce and pour it evenly over the warm, poked cake. The warmth of the cake will help the caramel become more fluid, encouraging it to flow into those freshly made holes. Use an offset spatula or the back of a butter knife to gently spread the caramel, ensuring it fills every single hole and covers the entire surface of the cake. This caramel layer is crucial, as it’s what gives the cake its signature Bananas Foster richness and incredible moisture. After the caramel has been applied, it’s vital to allow the cake to cool completely. This step ensures the caramel sets properly within the cake and the layers don’t meld together prematurely.
Step 3: Add the Fresh Banana Layer
Once your caramel-infused cake has cooled completely, it’s time for the fresh bananas. Slice 4-5 ripe bananas into even rounds. Arrange these slices neatly and evenly over the top of the caramel layer. The fresh bananas provide a burst of natural sweetness and that characteristic Bananas Foster flavor. Choosing bananas that are ripe but still firm will ensure they hold their shape and offer a pleasant texture against the soft cake and creamy topping.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Pudding Topping
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the instant banana cream pudding mix with 1 cup of cold milk. Whisk these two ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. This will happen relatively quickly with instant pudding. Once the pudding has reached a thick, creamy consistency, gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip whipped topping. Stir just until everything is combined and uniform. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to retain the light, airy texture of the Cool Whip. This creates a wonderfully light and fluffy topping that perfectly complements the rich cake and fresh bananas.
Step 5: Assemble the Topping and Add Crunch
Carefully spread the prepared pudding and Cool Whip topping evenly over the layer of sliced bananas. Smooth it out to create a beautiful, even surface. This creamy layer adds another dimension of flavor and a delightful texture contrast. For the final touch, place 8-10 Biscoff cookies into a Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin or any heavy object, crush the cookies until they form coarse crumbs. These unique spiced cookies introduce a wonderful cinnamon note and a satisfying crunch that beautifully contrasts with the soft cake and creamy topping. Sprinkle the crushed Biscoff cookies generously and evenly over the entire surface of the cake.
Step 6: Serve and Savor
Your Bananas Foster Poke Cake is now ready to be sliced and served! For an extra touch of indulgence, consider drizzling a little additional caramel sauce over each individual serving. The extra caramel adds a beautiful sheen and an even more intense caramel punch. This cake is best served chilled, making it a refreshing treat. Any leftovers should be refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent the bananas from over-ripening or discoloring. Enjoy this spectacular dessert that masterfully blends classic flavors with an easy-to-make cake!
Expert Tips and Customization for Your Bananas Foster Poke Cake
To ensure your Bananas Foster Poke Cake is absolutely perfect, and to offer some fun variations, consider these expert tips:
- **The Rum Factor:** For an authentic Bananas Foster kick, stir about a teaspoon of rum or rum extract into the pudding topping mixture. Start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
- **Biscoff Alternatives:** If Biscoff cookies aren’t available, cinnamon graham crackers make a fantastic substitute, providing a similar spiced crunch. Vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies could also work for a different flavor profile.
- **Choosing Your Cake Mix:** Both yellow and butter golden cake mixes provide a delicious, moist base. The choice often comes down to personal preference for a slightly richer (butter golden) or classic (yellow) flavor. Remember to adjust ingredients (butter vs. oil) according to the cake mix box.
- **Banana Ripeness is Key:** Use bananas that are ripe (with a few brown spots) for maximum sweetness and flavor, but avoid overly mushy bananas as they can be difficult to slice and might become too soft in the cake.
- **Cooling is Crucial:** Do not rush the cooling process for the cake after adding the caramel. Allowing it to cool completely ensures the caramel sets and the cake layers remain distinct and firm.
- **Presentation Matters:** Garnish individual servings with a fresh banana slice, an extra drizzle of caramel, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a tiny dollop of whipped cream for an elegant touch.
- **Make Ahead Magic:** This poke cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert! The flavors meld beautifully overnight in the refrigerator. Just add the crushed Biscoff cookies shortly before serving to maintain their crispness.
- **Storage:** Store any leftover cake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The bananas may brown slightly over time, but the flavor will remain delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bananas Foster Poke Cake
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying this tropical dessert:
- **Can I use homemade caramel sauce?** Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade caramel recipe, it will make this cake even more special. Just ensure it’s a pourable consistency when warm to seep into the cake.
- **What if I don’t like banana pudding?** You can substitute instant vanilla pudding or even butterscotch pudding for a slightly different, but still complementary, flavor profile.
- **Can I add nuts?** Yes, toasted pecans or walnuts would be a wonderful addition, offering another layer of crunch and nutty flavor. Sprinkle them along with the Biscoff crumbs or even on top of the banana layer.
- **How do I prevent the bananas from browning?** A light brush of lemon juice or pineapple juice on the sliced bananas can help prevent oxidation, but for this recipe, the pudding topping covers them quickly, minimizing browning. Freshness is key.
- **Is this cake good for parties?** Definitely! Its impressive presentation and crowd-pleasing flavors make it perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any celebration. Since it can be made ahead, it’s a host’s dream.
More Delicious Desserts to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with the easy elegance and delightful flavors of this poke cake, you’ll be thrilled to explore more of our tempting dessert recipes:
- The Best Banana Bread
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Banana Cake with Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Poke Cake
- Apple Pie Poke Cake
- Best Banana Pudding
- Honey Bun Cake
- Pig Pickin Cake
- Gooey Butter Cake
Originally published: July 2013
Updated photos and published: January 2023
Bananas Foster Poke Cake
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Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 box butter golden cake mix (or yellow cake mix)
- ingredients needed to make cake: butter, eggs and water (for a yellow cake mix, you’ll need oil instead of butter)
- 12 ounce jar caramel sauce
- 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 3.4 ounce package instant banana cream pudding
- 1 cup cold milk
- 8 ounce tub Cool Whip, thawed
- 8-10 Biscoff cookies, crushed
- additional caramel sauce (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare cake according to package directions for a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Once it comes out of the oven (while still warm), poke several holes all over the top of the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon or something similar (the holes should be large enough for the caramel sauce to go into.)
- Pour caramel sauce evenly over cake making sure the caramel sauce gets into the holes.
- Spread sauce around and into the holes (using an offset spatula or a butter knife).
- Allow the cake to cool completely. Once cake has cooled, top with sliced bananas.
- In a medium bowl, combine instant banana cream pudding with 1 cup milk. Whisk until smooth and starting to thicken.
- Then add in Cool Whip. Stir together gently until combined.
- Then spread topping on top of banana layer.
- Place Biscoff cookies in a Ziploc bag and crush them up using a rolling pin or other heavy object.
- Then sprinkle cookie crumbs all over the top of the cake. Slice and serve.
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Notes
- If you’d like, drizzle some caramel sauce over the individual servings.
- Be sure to refrigerate leftovers.
- Add about a teaspoon of rum or rum extract to the pudding topping for more of that true Bananas Foster flavor.
Dessert
American
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 72g |
Protein: 4g |
Fat: 20g |
Sodium: 594mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 29g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.