A Caramel Apple Poke Cake that is easy to make, but super addictive! Try not to eat the whole pan. This caramel poke cake recipe is going to be your new go to dessert for family get togethers.
Guess what’s more frustrating than trying to herd cats?
Trying to use logic and reason on a three year old.
Me: “Quinn. You can’t throw yourself on the floor kicking and screaming when you don’t get your way.”
Quinn: “Why?”
Me: “Do you see me kicking and screaming on the floor when I don’t get my way?”
Quinn: “Yes.”
Me: {Sigh.} “No, you don’t.”
It’s like she literally knows the exact thing that I want her to say and picks the opposite.
Me: “Quinn. You can’t live on junk food. You can’t have mac ‘n cheese every single day. We need to come up with something else for you to eat for lunch.”
Quinn: “Why.”
Please note the period instead of the question mark. Because at this point in the game she isn’t really asking me why she can’t have mac ‘n cheese every single day for lunch. She gets that she has already been told the answer to that question. I mean, sometimes she will ask me something that has just been answered and then say to herself, “Oh yeah, you just told me why . . . . ?”
“Why.” has become her new favorite stalling tactic. It has become the answer to every statement of fact I give her. It has become the beginning and end to every argument between us.
In short, it has become my least favorite word in the English language.
“Those pants are wet, you can’t put them back on.”
“Why.”
“Why are they wet or why can’t you put them back on?”
“Why.”
“Well, they are wet because you peed in them and you can’t put them back on because you peed in them and they are wet.”
“Why.”
“Why did you pee in them?? I don’t know?!?! That’s a great question! Why did you pee in them??”
It goes on forever and ever until the only answer to “Why.” the statement not the question is:
Wine.
And bedtime.
As is typical of my three year old, just when I’m about lose it with her and say something regretful and . . . . okay, mean, she does something hilariously awesome. Like as I was walking over to the most perfectly lit spot in my house with this piece of perfection and she comes trailing after me saying, “Mom . . . . is that cake???” all singsongy. Super adorable.
Not only that, but she understood that she had to wait until I got a great shot of said cake before she could taste it. And then when she did taste it she proclaimed, “Ooooooo, that’s tasty!!” And all was forgotten and forgiven. Well . . . until she said, “Can I have more??” and I promptly told her no.
“Why.”
Sigh.
This poke cake is ridiculously easy, and super awesome. You start with some white cake mix that you doctor up a bit with an extra punch of vanilla and cinnamon. Add some apple pie filling. I’m pretty sure that adding apples means that this just became breakfast. Right?? Then you poke some holes in it, fill it to the brim with caramel sauce, and let it soak in over night. This cake turned out fantaaaaaastic. Its such a perfect easy dessert to bring to a fall party . . . or eat by yourself with a fork and the whole pan with a side of a GIANT glass of red wine after your three year old is in bed. #justsayn
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
Ingredients
- white cake mix plus what it takes to make it (see note)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 21 oz can apple pie filling
- 12 oz caramel sauce
- 8 oz whipped topping
- 1 cup toffee bits found in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and cinnamon. Mix in what the cake mix calls for (see note regarding adding oil) and vanilla extract.
- With the apples still in their can, stick a knife in the can and cut up the apples making them smaller chunks. Then add the whole can to the cake mix.
- Pour the batter into the greased pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Let the cake stand for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then poke holes with the bottom of a wooden spoon throughout the cake, about an inch to two inches apart.
- Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave so that it is easier to pour. Pour over the cake into the holes, making sure some sauce gets into each hole.
- Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, top with whipped topping and toffee bits.
Notes
did you make this
Caramel Apple Poke Cake
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Karly says
Three year olds somehow manage to be both the best and the worst, all at the same time. I kind of miss having one around.
Love this cake!
Ummmm . . . do you want mine for a day or two?? Kidding! #notatallkidding You are right though, they are kind of awesome in their own little headache and wine drinking inducing way :)
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
This sounds fabulous! Pinning!
Thanks for pinning Amber!
Amy | Club Narwhal says
I totally love her “why.” ending with a period. I feel like that is my answer to my inner-adult, who is always advising me not to eat pizza and maybe go for that run :) This cake looks so dreamy!!
Hahahahaha! I have a feeling you and Quinn would get along well, Amy :)
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
This cake looks SO good, Lisa! LOVE the toffee bit topping. Pinned!
Julie, I could eat those toffee bits by the BAGFUL! Thanks for pinning!
heather @french press says
pretty sure cake and wine fixes everything
#truestory
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
It’s like they’re born with the opposite ability. SO annoying. This cake? Not annoying. LOVE it!
Thanks Dorothy!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Cake perfection. Especially for caramel apple addicts like myself ;) Pinned girl!
Thanks Trish!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I miss having a 3 yr old in the house. Because when my 17yr old asks “why” it’s scary. LOL.
Sheila @ Sweet Baked Life says
Can’t go wrong with cake for breakfast and wine for dinner! Love this recipe!
Lauren @ Imperfect and Fabulous says
Apples definitely make this breakfast!
Oh good! I’m so happy I’m not the only one who figures out how to make cake breakfast, Lauren ;)