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+ servings
2 slices of banana pudding poke cake on glass plates with forks on the side.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake with Vanilla Pudding

This Banana Pudding Poke Cake recipe starts with a light and fluffy cake that soaks up rich, homemade pudding, then adds layers of fresh bananas, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of vanilla wafers on top. It has the comforting flavors of banana pudding but with the texture and ease of a cake that’s perfect for your next potluck or dinner party. 
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Servings 16
Calories 438kcal

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 ¾ cup cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 10 egg whites room temp ( reserve 2 of the yolks for pudding)
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Pudding

  • 2 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 eggs room temp
  • 2 egg yolks room temp
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter room temp

Topping

  • 3 bananas sliced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon gelatin optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º. Butter a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Cake:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a 2 cup measuring cup or microwave safe bowl, melt butter and let it cool. Add oil and whisk together.
  • Wipe down the inside of a mixing bowl with lemon juice, then dry it with a paper towel. Add egg whites and beat on medium speed until light and frothy, about 2 minutes. Turn to medium-high and gradually add the sugar a little at a time. Once added beat on high until shiny and stiff peaks have formed, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to combine.
  • Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg whites, then fold in the butter mixture. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 23-25 minutes until it is slightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Pudding:

  • In a saucepan, whisk together the milk, cream, cornstarch, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until has thickened, about 8 minutes. It should be pretty thick but it will continue to thicken as it cools. Remove from the heat and whisk in butter. Pour it into a glass bowl and press plastic wrap directly on the surface. Cool to room temperature, about an hour, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Whipped topping:

  • When ready to assemble, beat the cream until slightly thickened then add the sugar and vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.

Assemble:

  • Use the end of a wooden spoon to place holes in the cake. Use a spatula to gently push the pudding into the holes then cover the cake with the remaining pudding. Top with a single layer of sliced bananas. Cover with whipped cream and top with vanilla wafers. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Notes

  • If making more than 1 day in advance you can sprinkle the bananas with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. This is not needed if serving the next day.
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