Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake: A Southern-Style Showstopper Dessert

If you love the deep, nutty flavor of butter pecan ice cream and the sweet richness of Southern pralines, this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is about to become your new favorite dessert. It’s everything a good Southern dessert should be: rich, buttery, moist, and loaded with pecans in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, attending a potluck, or simply craving comfort food, this cake delivers warmth, sweetness, and serious wow-factor.

This easy-to-make dessert starts with a butter pecan cake mix and gets infused with a decadent praline sauce, then topped with fluffy whipped cream and more chopped pecans. It’s a poke cake with a pecan pie soul—and it’s dangerously addictive.

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Why You’ll Love Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

• 🧁 Rich & Moist – The poke method ensures every bite is saturated with buttery praline goodness.
• 🥄 Easy to Make – Starts with a cake mix, but tastes like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen.
• 🍁 Perfect for Fall or Holidays – Ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Southern-themed dinners.
• 🌰 Nutty and Buttery – Toasted pecans and buttery sauce take it over the top.
• 👩‍🍳 Make-Ahead Friendly – It tastes even better after chilling!

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What Is a Poke Cake?

A poke cake is a cake that’s been baked, then poked with holes and filled with a sauce, pudding, or custard to make it extra moist and flavorful. In this recipe, the warm butter pecan cake is soaked with a homemade praline sauce made of brown sugar, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and chopped pecans.

Every spoonful is soft, buttery, and infused with the caramelized flavor of pecans and brown sugar.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

• 1 box butter pecan cake mix
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional, for extra texture)

📝 Pro Tip: Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes until fragrant for deeper flavor.

For the Praline Filling:

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Topping:

• 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• Caramel drizzle or butterscotch sauce (optional)

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How to Make Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Step 1: Bake the Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs until well combined.
4. Fold in toasted pecans if using.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cake to cool for 5–10 minutes, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, spaced about 1 inch apart.

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Step 2: Make the Praline Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine:
   • Butter
   • Brown sugar
   • Sweetened condensed milk
2. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture starts to bubble.
3. Remove from heat and stir in:
   • Vanilla
   • Chopped pecans
4. Carefully spoon the hot praline sauce over the warm cake, letting it seep into the holes.

⚠️ Warning: It will look like a lot of sauce — that’s what makes it so moist and rich!

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Step 3: Cool and Chill

1. Allow the cake to come to room temperature.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to allow the sauce to soak in and set.

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Step 4: Frost and Decorate

1. Once chilled, spread a layer of whipped topping over the cake.
2. Sprinkle with more chopped pecans.
3. Drizzle with caramel or butterscotch sauce if desired.

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Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make Ahead: This cake is perfect to make a day in advance. The flavors deepen overnight.
• Store: Keep covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze the cake (without topping) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then top with whipped cream before serving.

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Delicious Variations

🎂 Butter Pecan Pudding Poke Cake
Replace the praline filling with instant butterscotch pudding for a creamier, lighter filling.

🌰 Maple Praline Version
Add maple extract or real maple syrup to the praline sauce for a fall-inspired twist.

🍫 Chocolate Butter Pecan Poke Cake
Use chocolate cake mix and top with ganache + pecans for a Turtle cake-inspired version.

🥥 Coconut-Pecan Topping
For German chocolate cake lovers, swap the whipped topping for coconut-pecan frosting.

🥧 Pecan Pie-Inspired
Add a splash of bourbon or dark rum to the sauce for adult flair.

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What to Serve with Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

This cake is rich enough to stand alone but pairs beautifully with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Spiced chai lattes
• Butter pecan ice cream
• Whipped coffee
• Fresh brewed tea or milk

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Perfect Occasions to Serve This Cake

This Southern-style poke cake is always a hit at:

• 🍂 Thanksgiving dinners
• 🎄 Christmas dessert tables
• 🥄 Potlucks and family reunions
• 🧁 Birthday parties
• 🌾 Fall bake sales
• 🎁 Holiday food gifts (sliced in small squares)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without a cake mix?

Yes! You can substitute with a homemade butter cake recipe. Just make sure it’s moist and sturdy enough to handle poking and filling.

Can I use pecan pie filling instead of making praline sauce?

You can experiment with pecan pie filling thinned with a bit of milk, but the homemade praline sauce has better flavor and texture for soaking into the cake.

Can I make it nut-free?

Technically, yes—just leave out the pecans. But it won’t have that signature butter pecan or praline crunch.

Can I use homemade whipped cream?

Yes! Whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 2–3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla until stiff peaks form. Use immediately or stabilize with gelatin for longer storage.

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These search terms boost visibility and help readers discover this popular Southern-inspired dessert during the fall and winter baking season.

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Final Thoughts

This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a warm hug in cake form. With buttery richness, a brown sugar praline filling, and crunchy pecans in every bite, it delivers bold Southern flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re hosting a special occasion or just need a sweet treat to lift your spirits, this cake will absolutely hit the spot.

So grab your fork (or spoon), and dive into layers of buttery, praline-soaked goodness. You just might find yourself going back for seconds.

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