Carrot Cake Poke Cake is an incredibly easy and delicious cake, made using a cake mix, and topped with a thick layer of mascarpone cream cheese frosting.
If you are looking for an amazing Easter dessert to make than this is the perfect one! You might also love our other popular cakes such as Strawberry Poke Cake, German Chocolate Poke Cake, and Pumpkin Poke Cake.
Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese frosting
This Carrot Cake Poke Cake has been declared the cake of the week at my house. It is a delicate, flavorful, and the perfect dessert to enjoy for Easter.
Since we started making it a few years ago, it became an instant hit! Also, the cake easy to make and so packed with flavor, so you can easily make it for various occasions.
I used a Carrot Cake Mix, and I will be the first in line to tell you, that taking shortcuts in the kitchen is OK. Using the cake mix makes the whole process so much easier. As you don’t have to measure any ingredients, or worry that you are missing some spices.
The cake is very tender, as it has been soaked in sweet white chocolate, plus condensed milk mixture. Topped with mascarpone cream cheese frosting and ground walnuts this cake is addicting!
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake Poke Cake Recipe:
- Very easy to make, this is a one layer cake that is basically foolproof made using a cake mix.
- It is very tender and packed with flavors,
- The cake is topped with a very think mascarpone cream cheese frosting layer. This gives the cake richness and moisture, which you can’t beat.
- It can be made 1 or 2 days in advance so you don’t have to worry about a last-minute dessert.
- The cake combines different textures: the tender carrot cake poke cake layer, the chewy raisins, the crunchy walnuts, and the creamy frosting.
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Why it is called a Poke Cake?
As the name implies, it is a simple technique where you basically poke holes in the cake after baking. Then, it is usually filled with a liquid or filling. This makes this dessert super moist, and it also infuses extra flavor into every bite
How to make Carrot Cake Poke Cake?
Even though the name might sound sophisticated and complex, this is quite an easy and quick dessert to make. For exact ingredients measures and steps, please see the recipe card below. But the general steps are as follows:
- Bake the cake mix: Follow the package instruction, and bake the cake mix according to the instructions. Once baked, using the wooden end of a spatula, make some holes in it (poke it).
- Prepare the chocolate mixture: Using a microwave-safe dish, melt the white chocolate together with the condensed milk. Then, pour it evenly over the baked cake.
- Make the frosting: Using an electric mixer, make the frosting. Also, check out this quick video tutorial, on how to do cream cheese frosting. When ready, simply top the frosting over the cake, and refrigerate.
How long should I refrigerate the Carrot Cake Poke Cake?
After you assembled the recipe, it is very important to refrigerate it. Because it is filled with chocolate and topped with frosting, you want to refrigerate it for at least 6 hours. Therefore, plan ahead, so you allow some time for this.
Other Easter Dishes you might love:
- No Bake Tiramisu Cheesecake
- Carrot Zucchini Bread
- Easter Greek Cookies
- Carrot Cheesecake
- Simnel Cake
- Peanut Butter Eggs
HOW TO FREEZE THE CARROT POKE CAKE?
- If freezing the cake without adding the frosting, then first wait for the cake layer to cool completely. Then, fully wrap in plastic wrap tightly. Next, wrap in aluminum foil or place it in freezer bags.
- If freezing a frosted cake, first place cake in the fridge, so the frosting isn’t too soft. Then, fully wrap it in plastic wrap tightly. Next, wrap in aluminum foil or place it in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost before slicing.
Recipe Tips:
- Using a cake mix will reduce the prep time, feel free to use your favorite Carrot Cake Mix and follow the instructions on the box. However, my all-time favorite Carrot Cake Mix is this one.
- It’s very, VERY important that the cream cheese is COMPLETELY softened to room temperature before you whisk it. Otherwise, you might end up with chunks in your whipped topping.
- You can either pipe the frosting on top of the cake, or just spread it evenly with a spatula. I choose to just spread it in one layer, so it looks thicker and rich and also that saved me some time.
- In addition, mascarpone can be replaced with cream cheese.
- Also, clean the knife after each cut. Otherwise, the slices will be messier, since the frosting may stick to the knife.
- Let the cake absorb the white chocolate mixture for at least 8 hours before serving. This will make the cake extra tender, soft and flavorful.
- The walnuts add a nice crunch, you can also top the cake with whole walnuts, I prefer ground texture-wise.
- Keep the cake refrigerated as the frosting will soften if kept at room temperature for too long.
- Also, if you are looking for less frosting, skip the mascarpone and just add one extra brick of cream cheese.
Tools/Ingredients I used to make this Carrot Cake Poke Cake Recipe:
- Non Stick Baking Pan – I use this 9×13 pan for many recipes, brownies, fudge and blondies, the quality is great and it will last you a long time
- Duncan Hines Carrot Cake Mix – delicious flavor and it comes with a pouch of real carrots and raisins, I love using this mix
- Vanilla Extract – love this vanilla extract, the flavor is great, I always have some on hand
- White Chocolate Chips – I use these all the time, they taste great in cookies and are perfect to melt with condensed milk
Check out my Blueberry Zucchini Poke Cake:
Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 1 hr
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
- Duncan Hines Carrot Cake Mix (or any other Carrot Cake Mix)
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Chocolate Mixture:
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
Frosting:
- 2 bricks (8oz each) cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 lb. mascarpone (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar (more if needed to thicken)
- 1 cup ground walnuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
- Spray a 9x13 inch cake pan with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
- Prepare the carrot cake by following the instructions on the package. If using a Duncan Hines Carrot Cake mix, you will have to soak the carrots and raisins in hot water, and whisk all the ingredients listed into the cake mix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. I baked mine for exactly 30 minutes.
Remove cake from the oven. Using the end of a spatula or a large straw, even a pen will work if you don't have anything on hand; poke holes all over the cake.
Chocolate Mixture:
In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat in the microwave until hot for about 1 minute. Stir and heat 30 seconds or more if needed. Whisk until fully combined, smooth and shiny.
- Pour the chocolate mixture all over the cake and using a spatula spread it evenly into the holes.
- You can sprinkle a few ground walnuts onto the cake now, so they get into the poked holes.
Frosting:
- Using an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream together cream cheese, mascarpone and butter on medium speed until smooth with no lumps, about 1 minute. Stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
- Add in vanilla extract and salt, and continue mixing until combined.
- With the mixer speed on medium-low, gradually add in the powdered sugar. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat until combined. Stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
- If frosting is too thick, you can add in one or two teaspoons of milk. If frosting is too thin, you can add in more powdered sugar, 1/3 cup at a time, but make sure you first taste it, so you don't make it too sweet. Also, consider that the frosting may look thin, but it will harden/settle once chilled.
- Sprinkle ground walnuts on top of the cake.
- Refrigerate cake for at least 6-8 hours before serving.
- Enjoy!
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