Description
Gingerbread Pumpkin Poke Cake is a moist, spiced dessert that combines gingerbread cake with creamy pumpkin and sweetened condensed milk, topped with whipped cream and crunchy gingersnaps. Perfect for fall gatherings and holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 box gingerbread cake mix (or spice cake mix + 1–2 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2–3 eggs (as directed on cake mix)
- 1/2 cup milk or water (as directed on cake mix)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 container whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip or homemade stabilized whipped cream)
- 1/2 cup crushed gingersnap cookies or graham crackers
- Optional: 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Optional: Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Optional: 4 oz cream cheese (for frosting variation)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk/water as directed on the box. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart.
- In a small bowl, stir pumpkin pie spice (and maple syrup, if using) into sweetened condensed milk.
- Pour the spiced condensed milk evenly over the cake, letting it soak into the holes. Cool completely.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over the cooled cake.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with crushed gingersnaps or graham crackers. Drizzle with caramel if desired.
Notes
- Use homemade gingerbread cake if preferred instead of box mix.
- Add cream cheese to the whipped topping for a tangy twist.
- Let the cake chill overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Top with chopped nuts for added crunch and contrast.
- Stir cinnamon or pumpkin spice into whipped topping for added warmth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
