Eggnog Poke Cake

A boxed cake mix jump-starts this flavor-packed Eggnog Poke Cake recipe, making it a quick & easy dessert!  If you’re looking for a festive dessert for the holiday season, this is the ONE!

Jump to Recipe

Everyone loves a good poke cake, no matter what time of the year it is.  A berry cheesecake poke cake is perfect for spring, lemon in the summer, and pumpkin in the fall.  Though I love my hot chocolate poke cake, this eggnog poke cake is giving it some fierce competition (in the best way)!

Ingredients Needed

• Box Cake Mix – You can use a box of yellow cake mix, white or vanilla
• Eggnog – I used the store-bought eggnog in the carton 
• Water
• Vegetable Oil – You can use melted butter instead if you wish
• Eggs – I use size “large” eggs when baking
• Ground Nutmeg – You’ll use this in the cake and as a garnish on top
• Instant Pudding Mix – Vanilla, white chocolate, or cheesecake instant pudding mixes work great
• Spiced Rum – Totally optional! (can replace with additional eggnog)
• Whipped Topping – Store-bought (Cool Whip) or homemade (though if you make your own, make sure it’s a stabilized whipped cream 

How to Make an Eggnog Poke Cake

Bake the Cake.

Because we’re using a cake mix, this comes together really quickly.  You’ll combine the box of cake mix with eggnog, water, eggs, vegetable oil and some ground nutmeg.  You can use a stand mixer, but it’s just as easy to mix by hand.

Pour the cake batter into a prepared 9 by 13-inch pan and bake until a toothpick pressed into the center of the cake comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs).

PRO TIP!  Let the cake ingredients (eggnog and eggs) come to room temperature before mixing up the batter.  This will give the cake a more even, smooth texture.

Then you’ll poke holes into the warm cake with the rounded end of a wooden spoon (or a thick straw).  

Make the Creamy Eggnog Filling

The filling is SO simple.  You’ll combine the eggnog, spiced rum and pudding in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until smooth.  NOTE:  You can skip the spiced rum and use additional eggnog instead.  If you still want some of the rum flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon rum extract.

Put it all Together

Once the eggnog pudding has set up a bit, pour it over the top of the cake.  Spread the pudding mixture until it’s in an even layer.  Cover with plastic wrap and cool completely.

Garnish the Cake

You’ll top the cake with a layer of whipped topping.  Adding a sprinkle of nutmeg on top of the eggnog cake is a really simple, but beautiful garnish for the cake.  It also really helps bring out the eggnog flavor.  

I also like to add some red and green sprinkles for a festive flair!

Try adding caramel!!

Adding a drizzle of caramel sauce (or salted caramel sauce!) over the eggnog pudding layer is SO good.  You can also add a drizzle for garnish on top, if you’d like!

FAQ’s

Other Delicious Eggnog Desserts

• Eggnog Pie – This no-bake dessert is quick, easy and full of flavor!
• ​No Bake Eggnog Dessert – Layers & layers of flavor and texture in this delicious dessert.
• Eggnog Cookies – Coming SOON!
• Eggnog Bread Pudding – Coming SOON!