If you like the flavors of a classic banana split, you're going to love this Banana Split Poke Cake! It's an easy-to-make dessert that layers moist cake with creamy pudding, fruit, and whipped topping - all finished off with chocolate syrup and cherries. I think it’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or a fun family treat!
A poke cake is a classic American dessert that’s both easy to make and delicious! While there are lots of flavors of poke cake you can make, I think this banana split version is my favorite!
As with all poke cakes, I start this recipe with a baked cake (using a mix for extra simplicity), poke a bunch of holes in it with a wooden spoon handle, and fill those holes with a delicious filling – in this case creamy vanilla pudding, and then top it from there.
While this has all the traditional flavors of a banana split, feel free to get creative and add in other fruits or toppings to customize it to your liking!
🧾 Ingredients Needed
- Yellow cake mix
- Oil (canola or vegetable)
- Eggs
- Milk (cold)
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Bananas, diced
- Strawberries, stemmed and diced
- Crushed pineapple, well drained
- Chocolate syrup
- Maraschino cherries
- Chopped nuts (optional)
🔁 Variations
Chocolate Cake Base:
Swap the yellow cake mix for a chocolate cake mix to give the dessert a rich, chocolatey twist - just like adding hot fudge to a banana split!
Different Pudding Flavors:
Try using banana cream, cheesecake, or even chocolate pudding in place of vanilla for a fun flavor change.
Fresh Fruit Swaps:
Mix it up with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or sliced kiwi for a colorful and unique take on the traditional banana split.
Nut-Free Option:
Skip the chopped nuts if you need an allergy-friendly dessert, or replace them with crushed cookies or graham crackers for crunch.
Ice Cream Inspired:
For an extra indulgent version, serve the cake with scoops of ice cream on the side to turn it into a true banana split experience.
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
🥣 How to Make
Before you start, preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP ONE: Beat together cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs until smooth. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
STEP 2: After the cake has cooled, poke holes in a grid pattern using a wooden dowel or the rounded end of a wooden spoon.
STEP 3: Combine the milk and pudding mix, beating for approximately 2 minutes or until pudding is thickened and spread the pudding over the cake, creating an even layer.
STEP 4: Over the pudding, place bananas, strawberries and pineapple, pressing the fruit down into the cake slightly and making an even layer.
STEP 5: Cover the top with a layer of whipped topping, followed by a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Then top with chopped nuts and cherries.
STEP 6: Refrigerate until completely chilled. Serve cold.
⭐ Pro Tips ⭐
- Use ripe but firm bananas: Overripe bananas will become too mushy, while underripe ones won't provide as much flavor. Look for bananas with a few brown specks for the best texture and sweetness.
- Chill well before serving: This cake tastes best when thoroughly chilled. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Prevent browning: To keep banana slices looking fresh, toss them in a little lemon juice before layering them on the cake. This will help prevent discoloration.
- Customize your toppings: Add chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles for extra texture and fun.
- Serve with extra toppings on the side: Set out additional cherries, chocolate syrup, and whipped topping so guests can add even more to their slices.
More Delicious Banana Recipes
If you tried this Banana Split Poke Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my site, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing your about your results and thoughts!
📖 Recipe
Easy Banana Split Poke Cake Recipe
This Banana Split Poke Cake brings all the flavors of a classic banana split into an easy-to-make dessert! Moist cake is layered with vanilla pudding, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, whipped topping, and chocolate syrup. It's perfect for parties, summer gatherings, or anytime you crave something sweet!
- 1 18.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 3.5 ounce packages instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 2 bananas (diced)
- 1 cup strawberries (stemmed and diced)
- 1 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, well drained
- Chocolate syrup
- Maraschino Cherries
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Beat together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the cake for 25 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool.
- Poke holes into the cake in a grid pattern using a wooden dowel or the rounded end of a wooden spoon.
- Combine the milk and pudding mix, beating for approximately 2 minutes or until pudding is thickened.
- Spread the pudding over the cake, creating an even layer.
- Over the pudding, place bananas, strawberries and pineapple, pressing the fruit down into the cake slightly and making an even layer.
- Cover the top with a layer of whipped topping.
- Drizzle the top with chocolate syrup.
- Top the dessert with chopped nuts and cherries.
- Refrigerate until completely chilled. Serve cold.
- Use ripe but firm bananas: Overripe bananas will become too mushy, while underripe ones won't provide as much flavor. Look for bananas with a few brown specks for the best texture and sweetness.
- Chill well before serving: This cake tastes best when thoroughly chilled. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Prevent browning: To keep banana slices looking fresh, toss them in a little lemon juice before layering them on the cake. This will help prevent discoloration.
- Customize your toppings: Add chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles for extra texture and fun.
- Serve with extra toppings on the side: Set out additional cherries, chocolate syrup, and whipped topping so guests can add even more to their slices.
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