Carrot Cake Poke Cake
A moist and spiced carrot cake topped with a creamy, decadent frosting that seeps into the cake for an extra burst of flavor in every bite. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 box carrot cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 jar 7 oz caramel topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the carrot cake mix according to the instructions on the box, using eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for an extra boost of flavor.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once the cake is done baking, let it cool for about 10 minutes. Then, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart.
- In a separate bowl, mix the sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping together until smooth. Pour this mixture over the warm cake, making sure it seeps into the holes.
- Let the cake cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
- In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cake.
- Garnish with chopped walnuts, if desired. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer, you can replace the whipped cream frosting with cream cheese frosting for a more traditional carrot cake flavor.
- Feel free to adjust the spices like cinnamon or add cloves to suit your taste.
- The cake can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight for better flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free carrot cake mix and ensure all toppings and ingredients are gluten-free.