The Fall Holidays always make me think Candy Corn treats which is why I'm excited to share with you Candy Corn Poke Cake. Making Poke Cakes is really easy, it's one of those desserts people think take hours of time when really it's all super simple and oh so good.
This post and recipe was created for #HalloweenTreatsWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsors, Dixie Crystals, companies but as always opinions are 100% mine.
Of course Candy Corns are those sweet Candy Treats colored Yellow and Orange with a White Tip. Pretty iconic really. If you are a lover or hater of these sugary candy pieces, you can still enjoy this Candy Corn Poke Cake and love it, I promise.
The ingredient list is simple with a boxed white cake mix, including the ingredients listed on the box, Cool-Whip, Sweetened Condensed Milk and of course some Candy Corns to sprinkle on top. But you could just as easy sprinkle halloween or fall sprinkles on top too.
The trick to this recipe is in layering the batter. I like to separate the batter into 3 bowls and then add food coloring to make one Yellow, one Orange and leave one white of course. It's fun to see the 3 separate layers of the cake when it's cut that resembles a Candy Corn.
My family aren't die hard cake eaters, but I'm always amazed how quickly a Poke Cake Disappears. I think the extra yumminess comes from adding Sweetened Condense Milk to a hot cake and allowing it to absorb. It creates a moist, delicious and tasty treat.
Although there are many ways to make a Poke Cake, this Poke Cake Recipe with Sweetened Condensed Milk is super simple and the best WOW factor for time spent I feel like.
Stop! You might also want to try making this super simple Halloween Chex Mix with Witches Hat, Bat Wings and Skeleton Scabs.
Poke Cake Ingredients
- White Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Water
- Oil
- Cool Whip
- Candy Corn Candy
- Red and Yellow Food Coloring
How to make a Poke Cake
To make a Candy Corn Poke Cake it will take a little thought and preparation but it's so worth it when you slice into your first piece. Mix cake mix according to boxed directions adding eggs, water, and oil. Divide batter into 3 equal bowls. Place 10 drops of yellow food color into the first bowl and with a spoon stir until a bright yellow color throughout. In the 2nd bowl add 10 drops of yellow food color and 4 drops of Red food color and stir until bright orange color is throughout. Leave remaining batter white.
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and pour yellow cake batter in bottom of pan. Spread with a spatula and then place in Freezer for 20 mins. Make sure pan is level in freezer. This is necessary to layer the batter colors.
Repeat with the Orange batter by pouring it on top of yellow batter and carefully spread it evenly then freeze for 20 mins. Add White layer on top of Orange Layer and carefully spread. I find it easiest to drizzle the batter in the pan so it's evenly spread.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake according to boxed directions
Allow baked cake to sit for 5 minutes, then using the round end of a wood spoon poke holes into cake about 2 inches apart. Pour 1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk over top and allow to drizzle into holes and absorb into cake. Allow cake to fully cool about 45minutes.
Spread Cool Whip on cooled cake and sprinkle with Candy Corn Pieces. Store in Refrigerator until ready to serve.
What is a Poke Cake?
A Poke Cake is a generic term for a cake that you poke holes into so you can drizzle a sauce, cream, or even Jell-O. It's a fun and easy dessert that can be made with endless flavor combinations.
Poke Cake Ideas
So many flavor combinations come to mind when I think of a Poke Cake. Traditionally Better Than Sex Cake is a Poke Cake Recipe. But we also love to make these combinations too.
- Lemon Cake with Raspberry Syrup
- Chocolate Cake with German Chocolate Topping
- FunFetti Poke Cake
- Lemon with Cream Cheese
- Strawberry Cheese Cake Poke Cake
Stand Mixer vs Hand Mixer
For this recipe you can use either a stand mixer or a hand mixer. I personally love using my Bosch Mixer and default to using it without thinking. But either will work perfectly for this recipe. Many ask me 'What is a Bosch Mixer?'
This is a great question as I have been asked it many times. Bosch is a brand name that makes a stand mixer to make and mix all kinds of things. I've been using a Bosch since I was very little, which means I've been using one for decades. Take a look at this post and tells you why I love my Bosch Mixer!
How to Store Candy Corn Poke Cake
The recipe needs to be kept in the Refrigerator and is best stored covered with foil or plastic wrap. It will last 3-5 Days in the fridge if not devoured quicker.
Can I Freeze Poke Cake?
If you wish to Freeze a Poke Cake, I would suggest leaving the Cool Whip off and wrap the cake in plastic and freeze until ready to serve. Then thaw and top with Cool-whip and candy when ready to serve
Can I use Sprinkles?
Yes of course! Add Holiday Sprinkles or your favorite topping. You can even omit candy toppings and enjoy cake with Cool-whip.
What can I use to Poke the Cake?
As silly as it sounds, I use the round end of a wooden spoon. It's a nice diameter to create a hole the size of a very large pea which is perfect for the sweetened condense milk to fall inside as well as some Cool Whip too. You can also use a fork but make sure to wiggle those holes a little bit.
Poke Cake Fun Fact
In the 1940's Nestle opened a manufacturing plant making Sweetened Condensed Milk and on the label of those cans was a recipe for Poke Cake.
Fall Fun Recipes
- Mummy Cookies
- How to make Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Halloween Chex Mix
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Apple Pie Chex Mix
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast
- Bat Sugar Cookies from The Flour Handprint
- Voodoo Doll Cookies from Sweet ReciPEAS
- Halloween Confetti Cookies from Fake Ginger
- Marshmallow SpiderWeb Cupcakes from Big Bear's Wife
- Candy Corn Poke Cake from Devour Dinner
- Halloween Brownie Cupcakes from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from It's Shanaka
- Spider Brownie Bites from Tastes of Homemade
- Evil Dead Necronomicon Brownies from Savory Moments
- Mini Candy Corn Cheesecakes from Cheese Curd in Paradise
- Halloween Themed Layered Drinks from 4 Sons R Us
- Easy Chocolate Pudding from Pastry Chef Online
- Halloween Bark from West Via Midwest
- Halloween Snack Mix from Savory Experiments
- Healthy Halloween Snacks from House of Nash Eats
- Sweet & Savory Halloween Snack Board from An Affair from the Heart
- Spooky Candy Bark from Sweet Beginnings
- Poisoned Candy Apples from Fresh Coast Eats
- Donut Hole Mummies from Family Around the Table
- Halloween Caramel Popcorn Munch Recipe from Back To My Southern Roots
- Spiderweb Baked Donuts from Lemon Blossoms
- Mini Monster Meatball Sliders from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Mummy Brie from The Spiffy Cookie
- Halloween Deviled Eggs from I am a Honey Bee
Candy Corn Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 White Cake Mix
- 2 Eggs
- ¾ Cup Water
- ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 1 Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 Cup Candy Corn Candies
Instructions
- Mix cake mix according to boxed directions adding eggs, water, and oil.
- Divide batter into 3 equal bowls. Place 10 drops of yellow food color into the first bowl and with a spoon stir until a bright yellow color throughout.
- In the 2nd bowl add 10 drops of yellow food color and 4 drops of Red food color and stir until bright orange color is throughout. Leave remaining batter white.
- Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and pour yellow cake batter in bottom of pan. Spread with a spatula and then place in Freezer for 20 mins. Make sure pan is level in freezer. This is necessary to layer the batter colors.
- Repeat with the Orange batter by pouring it on top of yellow batter and carefully spread it evenly then freeze for 20 mins.
- Add White layer on top of Orange Layer and carefully spread. I find it easiest to drizzle the batter in the pan so it’s evenly spread.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake according to boxed directions about 20-25 minutes
- Allow baked cake to sit for 5 minutes, then using the round end of a wood spoon poke holes into cake about 2 inches apart.
- Pour 1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk over top and allow to drizzle into holes and absorb into cake.
- Allow cake to fully cool about 45minutes.
- Spread Cool Whip on cooled cake and sprinkle with Candy Corn Pieces. Store in Refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Nutrition
Happy Halloween!
Spooky Season is here and it is time for 2020's #HalloweenTreatsWeek event! #HalloweenTreatsWeek is a yearly Halloween blogging event that is hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife & its a creepy and haunting week-long event is filled with some amazingly wicked Halloween treats, recipes and some frightfully fun giveaways.“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near Halloween.”
For the 3rd annual #HalloweenTreatsWeek event we have 30 hauntingly talented bloggers that are sharing their favorite Halloween recipes throughout the week!Follow the hashtag #HalloweenTreatsWeek on social media and look at the bottom of each post to see all of the Halloween recipes that we’re sharing!Plus, don’t forget that we have some great giveaways for you this week thanks to our amazing sponsor and bloggers this year!
Prize #1 from Dixie Crystals
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set
Prize #2 from Angie at BigBearsWife
Ninja OP301 Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer and More, with 6.5 Quart Capacity and 45 Recipe Book, and a High Gloss Finish
Prize #3 from Nicole Taggart's Origami Owl Jewelry Bar
Origami Owl Locket and Halloween Charms
Prize #4 from Kathy at Lemon Blossoms
6 Quart Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Prize #5 from Terri at Our Good Life
Young Living’s Thieves Mints ($50 Value)
Pop a Thieves Mint into your mouth for cinnamint-fresh breath after meals. Made with naturally derived ingredients and free of artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives, Thieves Mints are a choice you can feel good about. Created with Young Living’s Thieves essential oil blend, these mints deliver minty coolness with a hint of warm, sugar-free sweetness. Thieves Mints come in a conveniently sized container that is great to take on the go!!
Prize #6 from Julie at Back To My Southern Roots
1 Copy of - The Peanuts Family Cookbook: Delicious Dishes for Kids to Make with Their Favorite Grown-Ups
Prize #7 from Peabody of Sweet ReciPEAS
1 Copy of her new cookbook "Holy Sweet! 60 Indulgent Recipes for Bigger, Better Desserts"
Prize #8 from Megan of Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
1 Copy of her cookbook, "Incredible One-Pot Cooking: Easy, Delicious Recipes for Exciting Meals Without the Mess"
Prize #9 from Nicole of For the Love of Food Blog
1 Copy of "Friends: The Official Cookbook"
Prize #10 from Michaela from An Affair from the Heart, Jennifer from Take Two Tapas and Michele from West Via Midwest
ONE (1) $75 Amazon gift card
Prize #11 from Shanaka from It’s Shanaka
ONE (1) $25 Amazon gift card
Prize #12 from Ashley from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Prize #13 from Amy from House of Nash Eats
ONE (1) $100 Amazon gift card
Amy (Savory Moments)
This poke cake looks pretty and sounds so good with the sweetened condensed milk.
Hezzi-D
What a fun cake! I enjoy a poke cake and this Candy Corn version is awesome!
Terri C
Love this idea, my grandblessing's are staying home for Halloween and we are making a Halloween themed meal for them. They will hunt for treats outside with little glow sticks attached to the treats so they can find them.