A buttery vanilla sheet cake soaked in warm praline sauce and blanketed with toasted pecans… this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake is the kind of dessert that makes everyone go quiet for a moment at the table. Every bite is ultra-moist, sweet without being cloying, and full of that classic Southern butter-pecan flavor.

It’s also wonderfully simple. You start with an easy cake base, poke it full of holes, then pour over a glossy brown sugar–pecan topping that sinks down into every nook and cranny. The result is a crowd-pleasing dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery, but is relaxed enough for Sunday dinner or a potluck.

Why You’ll Love This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

This is one of those desserts that feels special but doesn’t demand a whole day in the kitchen. Using a boxed cake mix as the base keeps things quick and reliable, while the homemade praline topping brings all the cozy, scratch-made flavor.

The texture is what really hooks people: the cake stays incredibly soft and tender thanks to the poke-and-pour method, and the topping sets into a caramel-like layer packed with buttery pecans. It’s just as good slightly warm as it is chilled straight from the fridge, which means you can make it ahead and still impress.

What Makes This Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake So Irresistible?

This cake hits that perfect balance between gooey and soft. The warm praline sauce seeps into the holes in the cake, so every slice is evenly flavored—no dry edges, no plain bites. The pecans add crunch, the brown sugar and butter give it a caramel depth, and a hint of vanilla ties everything together.

It’s also a flexible dessert. Dress it up with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or keep it simple and let the glossy pecan topping shine on its own. Either way, it feels like the kind of nostalgic dessert your favorite aunt would bring to family gatherings.

Ingredients for the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Before you start baking, it helps to understand what each ingredient is doing so you can bake with confidence.

Yellow cake mix – Forms the soft, tender base of the poke cake and keeps the recipe quick and foolproof.

Eggs – Add richness and structure so the cake can hold all that praline sauce without falling apart.

Water – Hydrates the mix and helps create a light, fluffy crumb.

Vegetable oil – Keeps the cake extra moist and gives it that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Unsalted butter – The backbone of the praline topping, providing richness and that classic buttery flavor.

Light brown sugar – Sweetens the topping and melts into a caramel-like sauce that soaks into the cake.

Heavy cream – Adds velvety body to the praline sauce so it stays smooth and luxurious.

Vanilla extract – Enhances the cake and topping with warm, bakery-style aroma.

Fine sea salt – Balances the sweetness and makes the buttery, nutty flavors pop.

Pecans – Chopped and toasted, they add crunch and deep, nutty flavor that turns this into a true butter pecan dessert.

How To Make the Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Once your ingredients are ready, this recipe comes together in a few simple steps. Take your time with the praline topping and you’ll be rewarded with a glossy, gorgeous finish.

Step 1: Prep the pan and oven

Preheat your oven and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This size pan gives you the ideal thickness for a poke cake—sturdy enough for poking, but still soft and tender.

Step 2: Mix the cake batter

Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the package directions using eggs, water, and oil. Stir just until the batter is smooth; overmixing can make the cake dense instead of fluffy.

Step 3: Bake the cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top springs back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for several minutes so it’s warm but not piping hot.

Step 4: Poke the cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a thick skewer, poke holes evenly all over the cake, going almost to the bottom. These channels are what allow the praline sauce to seep in and create that irresistible moist texture.

Step 5: Make the praline topping

In a saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce looks glossy. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and chopped pecans.

Step 6: Pour and soak

While the praline sauce is still warm, slowly spoon or pour it over the poked cake, making sure to cover the surface and fill the holes. The sauce will sink down into the cake and pool a bit around the edges—that’s exactly what you want.

Step 7: Cool, slice, and serve

Allow the cake to cool so the praline topping can thicken and cling to the surface. Serve slightly warm for a gooey, pudding-like experience, or chill it for a firmer slice with a chewy praline layer.

Serving and Storing Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

A 9×13-inch pan of this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake comfortably serves about 12 people, making it perfect for holidays, church suppers, and casual get-togethers. Cut generous squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts if you want those tidy edges.

For an extra-indulgent touch, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each plate. The contrast between cool cream and warm, buttery cake is hard to beat.

Leftovers keep surprisingly well. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. The cake will keep at room temperature for about a day, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Chilling the cake actually helps the praline layer set, so many people think it tastes even better the next day.

If you’d like to freeze it, wrap individual slices well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

What to Serve With Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake?

A scoop of vanilla ice cream

Classic vanilla ice cream melts into the warm praline topping, creating a creamy sauce right on the plate.

Lightly sweetened whipped cream

Soft peaks of whipped cream add an airy contrast to the dense, moist cake and rich caramel flavor.

Fresh berries

Strawberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches bring a bright, fruity note that cuts through the sweetness.

Hot coffee

A strong cup of coffee or espresso balances the buttery richness and makes this feel like a coffeehouse dessert.

Iced tea or sweet tea

For a more casual Southern-style spread, serve the cake alongside tall glasses of iced tea with lemon.

Salted roasted nuts

A small bowl of extra toasted pecans or mixed nuts on the table lets guests sprinkle more crunch over their slices.

Vanilla or butter pecan milkshake

If you want to go all out, pair a small square of cake with a creamy milkshake for a dessert-lovers’ dream.

Want More Poke Cake and Dessert Ideas?

If this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake wins you over, you’ll probably love some of these other sweet treats too:

Try a custardy twist with the Delicious Boston Cream Poke Cake for layers of vanilla pudding and chocolate glaze.
Brighten things up with the tropical Pineapple Glazed Poke Cake when you’re craving something fruity and refreshing.
Craving warm, cozy flavors? The Delicious Cinnamon Roll Cake tastes like your favorite breakfast treat in cake form.
For chocolate lovers, Mississippi Mud Cake delivers fudgy, marshmallow-studded goodness.
When you’re in the mood for spoonable comfort, the Magic Lemon Cobbler gives you bright citrus flavor with a self-making cake topping.

These bakes are perfect for potlucks, birthdays, holiday dessert tables, or just because you’re in the mood for something sweet from the oven.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake to your favorite dessert board on Pinterest so you can come back to it any time.

After you bake it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you serve it warm with ice cream, or chill it overnight for extra gooey praline pockets? Did you toast the pecans a little longer for deeper flavor?

Sharing your tweaks and questions helps everyone bake smarter and with more confidence. Let’s swap ideas and keep the dessert inspiration going.

For even more easy dessert ideas and everyday food inspiration, explore my boards on Nora Nosh Recipes on Pinterest.