If you love the cozy flavors of gingerbread combined with the creamy delight of a classic frosting, you are going to adore this Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s a wonderful way to bring warmth and sweetness to any occasion, transforming a simple spice cake into an irresistible dessert with luscious pockets of caramel or condensed milk soaked right into the cake, crowned with a velvety cream cheese frosting. The balance of spices, sweetness, and texture makes it completely enchanting and surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to nailing this Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Each ingredient plays a key role, whether it’s building rich gingerbread flavor, creating moistness, or ensuring that frosting is just the right creamy finish.
- Spice cake mix: A quick base with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that jumpstarts the gingerbread experience.
- Molasses: Adds depth, richness, and that classic dark sweetness unique to gingerbread.
- Ground ginger: Gives a bright, warm zing that wakes up your palate.
- Cinnamon: Brings familiar comforting spice and warmth.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to fluffy texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist without weighing it down.
- Water: Helps achieve the perfect batter consistency.
- Sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce: Offered to drizzle into the cake’s holes, this adds luscious, gooey sweetness that seeps into every bite.
- Cream cheese: For a rich, tangy touch in the frosting that compliments the spiced cake beautifully.
- Butter: Adds creamy smoothness and structure to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and smooths out its texture.
- Vanilla extract: Provides a fragrant depth to the frosting’s flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Having the oven at the right temperature and the pan ready means your cake bakes evenly without sticking, giving you a beautiful result to work with.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir everything together until your batter is smooth and fully combined. This is where the magic begins, as the molasses brings that signature deep gingerbread flavor and the spices amplify it.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan and pop it into the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and fragrant, signaling that it’s ready for the next exciting step.
Step 4: Poke Holes in the Warm Cake
Once your cake is out of the oven but still warm, take the handle of a wooden spoon and gently poke holes all over the surface. This is what gives the poke cake its signature moist and flavorful pockets — the holes are like little reservoirs for the sweet sauce that follows.
Step 5: Pour the Sweetened Condensed Milk or Caramel Sauce
Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to seep deep into those holes you lovingly poked. This step turns your cake from great to downright irresistible, adding a luscious, gooey sweetness inside every bite. Let it cool completely before moving on.
Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cake cools, whip together the cream cheese and butter until fluffy and light. Then add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, mixing until your frosting is smooth and silky. This frosting will add the perfect creamy and tangy contrast to your spiced, sweet cake.
Step 7: Frost and Chill
Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cake with a spatula. Once covered, pop your Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe into the fridge to chill for an hour or so. This chilling helps the frosting set and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
How to Serve Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a garnish can elevate your Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe presentation and flavor. Try sprinkling finely chopped crystallized ginger on top for an extra zing, or dust with a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg to echo the cake’s spice notes. A few whole pecans or candied orange peel bits also add both texture and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with warm drinks like chai tea, hot apple cider, or a robust cup of coffee, which complement the rich spices and creamy frosting. For a festive touch, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to add a touch of coolness that brightens each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re bringing this dessert to a party, try cutting the cake into mini squares and serving them on pretty plates with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of toasted walnuts. You could also layer pieces in a clear trifle dish with whipped cream and gingerbread crumbs for a stunning layered dessert that lets everyone see all the amazing textures.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe keeps really well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the cake from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make this cake ahead of time or save leftovers for later, you can freeze it. Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to preserve the creamy frosting texture.
Reheating
Though this poke cake is best enjoyed chilled, if you prefer it slightly warm, you can gently warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to heat too long or the frosting may melt and become less stable.
FAQs
Can I make this cake without the spice cake mix?
Absolutely! You can use a homemade gingerbread cake recipe if you prefer, just make sure to incorporate the molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and other spices to keep that essential flavor profile. The poke and frosting steps remain the same and just as delicious.
Is it okay to use caramel sauce instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Yes! Both options work beautifully for soaking into the cake holes. Condensed milk keeps it classic and creamy, while caramel sauce adds a richer, buttery sweetness. Choose based on your preference or what you have on hand.
Can I prepare the frosting in advance?
You can prepare the cream cheese frosting a day ahead and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Before spreading it on the cake, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whip to restore its smooth texture.
What’s the best way to poke the holes?
The handle of a wooden spoon works perfectly because it creates uniform holes without tearing the cake. Poke gently but thoroughly across the entire surface so the sauce distributes evenly for that moist, flavorful bite.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely! Doubling the recipe is straightforward—use a larger baking pan or two pans and adjust baking times slightly as needed. Just keep the same ratios and enjoy sharing this crowd-pleaser with more friends.
Final Thoughts
This Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is a joy to make and even more delightful to share. Its cozy spices paired with pockets of sweet, creamy goodness make it a standout dessert all year round. If you’re craving something special yet easy, this cake will not disappoint—give it a try and watch it become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
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Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Gingerbread Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist and flavorful dessert perfect for the holiday season. It features a spiced gingerbread cake enriched with molasses and warm spices, soaked with sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce for extra indulgence. Topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, this poke cake is sure to delight friends and family.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Soaking Syrup
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk or ¾ cup caramel sauce
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until the batter is smooth and well blended. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Poke the Cake: While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a spoon to poke holes all over the surface of the cake. This allows the soaking syrup to seep in thoroughly.
- Pour Soaking Syrup: Evenly pour the sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce over the warm cake, allowing it to soak deeply into the holes. Let the cake cool completely at room temperature.
- Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Refrigerate the cake to set the frosting before serving.
Notes
- You can use either sweetened condensed milk or caramel sauce for soaking depending on your preference for flavor and sweetness.
- Ensure the cake is warm when poking holes so the syrup absorbs better.
- Chilling the cake after frosting helps the frosting firm up and enhances the flavors.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
