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Ultimate Gooey Salted Caramel Poke Cake

gooey salted caramel poke cake - featured image
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A moist and tender yellow cake soaked with sweetened condensed milk and salted caramel sauce, creating gooey caramel pockets throughout. This easy homemade dessert is perfect for gatherings and indulgent treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 15.25 oz (432 g) yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines Classic Yellow preferred)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable oil (can substitute light olive oil)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 14 oz (396 g) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup (240 ml) salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • About 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • Optional: 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream for drizzling or whipping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and pourable.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan gently to remove air bubbles.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center after 30 minutes; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
  5. Poke holes all over the warm cake about 1 inch apart using a wooden skewer or the handle of a wooden spoon, making sure not to poke through the bottom.
  6. Slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
  7. Pour the salted caramel sauce evenly over the cake, filling the holes with gooey caramel.
  8. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top for a salty-sweet balance.
  9. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to let the caramel and condensed milk soak in and thicken the texture.
  10. Optional: Whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla to serve alongside or drizzle over the cake before slicing.
  11. Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature. Use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts for clean slices.

Notes

[‘Do not overbake the cake to keep it moist and allow caramel to soak in.’, ‘Use room temperature eggs for a lighter crumb.’, ‘Poke holes about 1 inch apart in a grid pattern for best caramel absorption.’, ‘Warm caramel sauce slightly if thick to help it pour and seep better.’, ‘Chill the cake for at least 2 hours or overnight for best gooey texture.’, ‘Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup.’, ‘Try variations like chocolate cake mix, adding sautéed apples, or using dairy-free ingredients for vegan adaptations.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: poke cake, salted caramel, caramel poke cake, easy dessert, homemade dessert, yellow cake, sweetened condensed milk, gooey cake

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/ultimate-gooey-salted-caramel-poke-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-dessert/