Banana Split Poke Cake
Who says you have to decide between ice cream or cake? This fun Banana Split Poke Cake is a fun take on the poke cake trend that has overtaken Pinterest, and is possibly the easiest cake recipe you will ever make!
Banana Split Poke Cake Recipe
Poke Cakes have quickly become one of my daughter’s favorite things to bake with me, and I can’t blame her! They are super simple to make and you get to poke a million holes in your cake with a wooden spoon before pouring on Jell-O or pudding and then you slather the whole thing with whipped cream and your choice of toppings.
We’ve made a couple different poke cakes already (a cherry limeade poke cake, a chocolate chai poke cake and a banana pudding poke cake, to name a few) but this Banana Split Poke Cake is the one that we both agree on.
It’s so simple that you can make it as a special surprise on a weekday, but it’s also pretty and delicious enough to bring to a party or special occasion.
We brought this cake to my brother’s house for a BBQ and everyone oohed and aahed over it – and they were pleasantly surprised when they dug in and found a layer of fresh bananas and maraschino cherries hiding underneath the Cool Whip.
Adding pudding to the hot cake really amps up the flavor and moisture of this cake – because nothing is worse than flavorless, dry cake.
But my favorite part of this cake is just how easy it is for kids to help make. There was literally no step in this cake that was too hard for a 6 year old to do independently – the only involvement I had was putting the cake in the oven and taking it out of the oven. Yet, the results are just the same as if an adult had made it. This makes it the perfect cake for a novice baker – no matter their age.
I think it would be so sweet for a child to make this cake for someone special’s birthday (maybe a parent or a sibling) but you really don’t need an occasion to whip this up!
If you are making this recipe with more than one child and they can’t agree on their chosen toppings, you can easily split the batter into 2 8″x8″ pans and let them decorate their cakes however they wish! Battle of the Poke Cakes? Sounds delish!
Ingredients for Banana Split Poke Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- PLUS ingredients called for on the box
- 1 package banana pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 3 cups Cool Whip
- 1 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, rinsed
- 2 bananas
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
Tip: while our favorite “banana split toppings are cherries, bananas, chocolate chips and sprinkles, feel free to substitute your own favorite toppings for this recipe.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- 8″x16″ casserole or cake pan <– I love these pyrex ones because they come with lids you can snap on
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
How to Make a Banana Poke Cake
Bake the cake in a 9×13″ casserole-style pan according to package directions.
Let the cake cool slightly as you prepare the pudding mix by mixing with 2 cups cold milk.
While the cake is still warm, poke several holes all around the cake and pour the prepared pudding overtop. Spread to cover completely with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Cut your bananas into slices and then arrange the bananas and 1 cup of the cherries over the pudding layer.
Spread the Cool Whip overtop of the fruit layer and then decorate as desired – we used rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and the remaining cherries.
Cut and serve.
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Banana Split Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- PLUS ingredients called for on the box
- 1 package banana pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 3 cups Cool Whip
- 1 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, rinsed
- 2 bananas
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake the cake in a 9x13" casserole-style pan according to package directions.
- Let the cake cool slightly as you prepare the pudding mix by mixing with 2 cups cold milk.
- While the cake is still warm, poke several holes all around the cake and pour the prepared pudding overtop. Spread to cover completely with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Cut your bananas into slices and then arrange the bananas and 1 cup of the cherries over the pudding layer.
- Spread the Cool Whip overtop of the fruit layer and then decorate as desired - we used rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and the remaining cherries.
- Cut and serve.
This super simple Banana Split Poke Cake recipe is the perfect easy cake to bring to a party or let the kids make! It would be great for a parent’s birthday or a simple BBQ cookout.
For more delicious banana-inspired recipes, check out our Banana Pudding Cookie Bars or our Sugar-free Banana Bread recipe.
