Contents
- 1 My Love for a Simple Cake
- 2 The Magic of the Poke
- 3 A Crunchy Surprise on Top
- 4 A Story from My Kitchen
- 5 Time for You to Bake
- 6 Ingredients:
- 7 How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Poke Cake
- 8 Fun Twists to Try
- 9 Serving Your Masterpiece
- 10 Keeping Your Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cake Fresh
- 11 Simple Fixes for Common Cake Troubles
- 12 Your Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cake Questions
- 13 Share Your Sweet Creation
- 14 Cinnamon Toast Crunch Poke Cake Recipe
My Love for a Simple Cake
I have always loved a good poke cake. It feels like a secret. You make a simple cake. Then you poke holes in it. You pour sweet, yummy stuff inside. It soaks right in. Every bite becomes a sweet surprise. I still smile when I make one.
This one uses my favorite cereal. It reminds me of Saturday mornings. The house would smell like cinnamon and sugar. That smell means happiness to me. What smell makes you feel happy and cozy?
The Magic of the Poke
The best part is poking the holes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon. Poke holes all over the warm cake. Do not be shy. The more holes, the more goodness gets in. This matters because it makes the cake super moist. No dry cake here!
Then you make the filling. Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sweet milk. You heat it up. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It becomes a gooey syrup. You pour it over the warm cake. Watch it disappear into all those little holes.
A Crunchy Surprise on Top
After the cake is cool, you add the fluff. That’s the whipped topping. It makes it light and creamy. But the real fun is the crunch on top. You use Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. *Fun fact: This cereal was first called Cinnamon Grahams!*
You must add the cereal right before serving. This matters a lot. It keeps the cereal crunchy. Nobody wants a soggy topping. The mix of soft cake and crunchy cereal is perfect. Do you like crunchy or soft toppings best on your desserts?
A Story from My Kitchen
I made this for my grandson’s birthday last year. The kids gathered around the table. They watched me sprinkle the cereal on top. Their eyes got so big. They could not wait to try a piece.
The first bite was silent. Then came the big smiles. That is the best sound for a grandma. It means you made something special. It is not just food. It is a memory.
Time for You to Bake
This cake is perfect for any day. You do not need a special reason. It is easy enough for a young baker to help with. The box mix makes it simple. The poking part is the most fun.
I hope you try this recipe. Tell me what you think. Will you make it for a party or just for fun at home? I love hearing your stories too. Share them if you like.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla white cake mix | 1 (15.25 oz) box | Prepared as directed on the box |
| Salted butter | 5 tablespoons | Softened |
| Light brown sugar | 1/2 cup | Tightly packed |
| Ground cinnamon | 3 teaspoons | |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons | |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 1 (14 oz) can | |
| Whipped topping | 1 (8 oz) container | Thawed |
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal | 2 cups |
How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Poke Cake
This cake always brings back such happy memories. My grandson, Leo, invented it one rainy afternoon. We wanted something sweet and fun. Now it’s our favorite treat to make together. The smell of cinnamon fills the whole house. Doesn’t that smell amazing?
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Get your 9×13 pan ready with a good spray. Prepare the vanilla cake mix just like the box says. (A hard-learned tip: use only the egg whites! It makes the cake so much lighter and fluffier). Pour that lovely batter into your pan. Pop it in the oven and let the magic happen.
While it bakes, let’s make the gooey filling. You’ll need butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Warm it all in the microwave until it’s bubbly. This part is my favorite. It smells like cinnamon rolls. I still laugh at how Leo always tries to sneak a taste.
When the cake is slightly warm, poke holes all over it. Use the handle of a wooden spoon. Now, slowly pour your warm filling over the top. Watch it seep into every little hole. Let the cake cool completely. This takes patience, I know!
Finally, spread on the fluffy whipped topping. Wait until right before serving to add the cereal. This keeps it wonderfully crunchy. What’s your favorite cereal to snack on? Share below! Then just slice and enjoy every single bite.
Prep Time: 10min
Cook Time: 30min
Total Time: 1hr 40mins
Yield: 15 servings
Category: Dessert
Fun Twists to Try
This cake is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play with a recipe. You can make it new every time. Here are a few ideas we love.
Apple Pie Twist: Mix a cup of finely chopped apples into the cake batter. It adds a lovely, soft fruitiness.
Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle it over the whipped topping. Because chocolate makes everything better.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some chopped pecans on top with the cereal. It gives a nice, toasty flavor.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Masterpiece
This cake is a star all on its own. But a little extra touch can make it special. I love serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream with the soft cake is perfect. A dollop of fresh whipped cream is lovely too.
For drinks, a cold glass of milk is the classic choice. It just belongs with cake. For the grown-ups, a nice cup of coffee with cream pairs beautifully. The coffee cuts through the sweetness so well. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cake Fresh
This cake is best kept in the fridge. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze slices for a sweet treat later. Just wrap each piece well in plastic and foil. It will keep for one month in the freezer.
Thaw frozen cake overnight in your refrigerator. I once sent a frozen slice to my grandson at college. He said it tasted like home. Storing food well means less waste and more joy. It lets you share love with busy family members. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Cake Troubles
Is your cake too crumbly when poking holes? Use the handle of a wooden spoon. Poke gently and slowly. I remember when my first poke cake looked like a mess. Getting the texture right makes every bite perfect.
Is the filling sinking to the bottom? Let the cake cool a bit first. It should be just warm to your touch. This helps the cake soak up the sweet milk mixture. Your confidence will grow with each successful bake.
Is the cereal getting soggy? Always add it right before you serve. This keeps that wonderful cinnamon crunch we all love. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cake Questions
Q: Can I make this cake gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix. Also check that your cereal is gluten-free.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time? A: You can bake the cake a day early. Just add the topping on the day you serve it.
Q: What can I use instead of whipped topping? A: You can use the same amount of homemade whipped cream.
Q: Can I double this recipe? A: For a bigger crowd, simply double all the ingredients. Use two baking pans.
Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A pinch of nutmeg in the filling is lovely. It adds a little extra warmth. Which tip will you try first?
I hope this cake brings a smile to your table. It is a simple joy to share with loved ones. I would love to see your beautiful results. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Your stories and photos make my heart happy. Keep baking and making memories in your kitchen. Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Poke Cake Recipe
Description
This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Poke Cake combines creamy sweetness with a satisfying cinnamon crunch in every bite. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a fun dessert at home!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 with baker’s spray (like Baker’s Joy).
- Prepare the cake as directed on the cake box. Be sure to only use egg whites, not the whole egg. Begin checking the cake at the 25-minute mark until a toothpick inserted comes away clean. Allow the cake to cool until it is just slightly warm to the touch.
- Using the end handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the cake about ½ inch apart.
- Add the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk to a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir to combine. Heat the butter mixture in the microwave for 1 minute at full power, stir well, and heat for another 1 minute. Stir the butter mixture until no brown sugar lumps are remaining.
- Carefully spoon the melted butter mixture evenly over the top of the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Using an offset spatula or spoon evenly spread the thawed whipped topping over the cake. Just before you are ready to serve, sprinkle the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal over the top of the whipped topping. (To ensure the cereal keeps its crunch, do not garnish with the cereal until just before serving) Cut 3 slices x 5 slices before serving.
Notes
- To ensure the cereal keeps its crunch, do not garnish with the cereal until just before serving.