Eggnog Poke Cake

Table of Contents

1. Let’s Dish: About This Poke Cake
2. Eggnog Poke Cake Ingredients
3. Substitutions And Additions
4. How To Make This Eggnog Poke Cake Recipe
5. How To Serve
6. Storage
7. Why We Love This Recipe
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. More Recipes You’ll Love
10. JUMP TO RECIPE

Our eggnog poke cake is the ultimate Christmas dessert. Rich, velvety eggnog meets a moist buttery cake, while the creamy sweetness of vanilla pudding infuses each bite. Every forkful bursts with warmth from spices like nutmeg, and the spiced whipped topping adds a light yet decadent finish. If you’re looking for a nostalgic dessert that embodies the comfort and joy of the holiday season, this is a must-try.

Let’s Dish: About This Poke Cake

Main Ingredients: White cake mix, eggnog, butter, eggs, vanilla pudding mix, whipped topping, nutmeg.
Quick Steps: Bake cake, poke holes, pour eggnog pudding, spread whipped topping, and chill.
Total Time & Yield: 4 hours 40 minutes, yields 15 servings.

Why This Recipe

• This eggnog poke cake recipe brings out the rich, creamy flavors of the holiday season without adding unnecessary complexity.

• Unlike some recipes that incorporate rum or brandy, which may not be family-friendly, ours focuses purely on the cozy, festive flavors of eggnog and vanilla pudding.

• Our recipe elevates the cake by blending these spices directly with real eggnog, giving it a genuine holiday flavor from start to finish.

• Additionally, our use of whipped topping infused with cinnamon creates a lightly spiced frosting that complements the eggnog perfectly. This thoughtful combination ensures every bite delivers a harmonious blend of creamy and spiced holiday goodness.

Eggnog Poke Cake Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

SPICES: You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for the nutmeg. You can also substitute freshly grated nutmeg for ground nutmeg.

EGGNOG: You can substitute milk for eggnog in the cake mix. If you do substitute the eggnog, you will need to add ½-1 teaspoon ground nutmeg to the cake mix.

You could also check out our homemade eggnog recipe for an alternative to the store-bought version.

CAKE MIX: If you have a different kind of cake mix on hand, you can substitute it for the white cake mix.

Yellow cake mix would be equally delicious in this ultimate eggnog poke cake recipe.

WHIPPED CREAM: If you’d like to use whipped cream made at home, check out our stabilized whipped cream recipe for a great option.

How To Make This Eggnog Poke Cake Recipe

For the ultimate holiday treat, why not indulge in a warm, rich, and creamy eggnog poke cake? It’s sinfully delicious and surprisingly easy to make.

This recipe is made extra simple by using a boxed cake mix. Bake it according to the boxed directions, replacing the ingredients with the ones listed above.

Once out of the oven, you’ll poke holes in the cake and drizzle a pudding and eggnog mixture over the top so that it seeps into all the holes. Top with fluffy whipped topping, and chill in the fridge before enjoying!

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with Baker’s Joy or a generic version. Set it aside.

STEP TWO: Add the box of cake mix, eggnog, melted butter, and eggs to a medium-sized bowl.

Mix with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed for 1 to 1½ minutes or until well combined.

STEP THREE: Evenly spread the cake batter in the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes away clean.

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cake at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

Allow the cake to cool completely before using the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake one inch apart. Set it aside.

STEP FOUR: Add the pudding mix and cold eggnog to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Use either a whisk or a handheld mixer on medium speed to mix the instant vanilla pudding mix and eggnog until well incorporated and beginning to thicken.

STEP FIVE: Use an offset spatula to quickly and evenly spread the pudding mixture over the top of the cake. When spreading the pudding mixture, it’s important to work quickly because the longer the pudding sits, the thicker it will be.

Be sure to encourage the pudding mixture to drip into the holes in the cake.

When pouring the eggnog mixture into the holes, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles, and make sure the mixture fills the holes completely.

STEP SIX: Use an offset spatula to spread the thawed whipped topping over the pudding layer.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for four hours before adding a sprinkle of nutmeg and slice just before serving.

Make sure you don’t skip the chilling step. It’s important to give the pudding time to set and soak into the cake before serving it.

How To Serve

This eggnog poke cake is the ultimate festive indulgence, luscious and creamy with rich flavors. To make it even more irresistible, why not add a scoop of vanilla ice cream?

This delightfully moist poke cake would be a great dessert to serve for a holiday meal or to have on hand for a special treat.

Add a homemade hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte to wash it down.

Our Christmas red velvet poke cake and turtle poke cake are two more decadent holiday-worthy desserts to add to your menu.

Storage

Here are some storage tips to ensure your eggnog poke cake remains as delicious as the day you made it.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re looking to save time or prepare for a special occasion, you can make this eggnog poke cake ahead of time.

After baking and poking the holes, allow it to cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh.

You can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before serving. This make-ahead option is perfect for easing your holiday prep.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this festive dessert covered with a piece of plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze the eggnog cake for up to three months. Allow the cake to thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Why We Love This Recipe

FESTIVE FLAVOR: This cake captures the cozy and comforting flavors of the holiday season with its rich eggnog taste. It’s a perfect dessert to serve during Christmas or any winter gathering.

MOIST CAKE: The combination of the moist cake and the creamy eggnog filling creates a luscious and tender texture that’s incredibly satisfying. Each bite is a delightful balance of cake and filling, making it a dessert that’s hard to resist.

EASY TO MAKE: This recipe is beginner-friendly, with step-by-step instructions that ensure you achieve great results every time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, you’ll find it approachable and doable.

This eggnog poke cake is undeniably festive, with a rich and creamy eggnog flavor that you won’t be able to resist. With a boxed cake mix as a base, it is so easy to make this cake, and the eggnog and pudding create a deliciously moist cake for you to enjoy.

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