This Baklava Poke Cake is full of cinnamon, walnuts and honey! The flavor combination is seriously addicting and tastes just like you’re eating a cake version of the real thing.
Baklava Poke Cake
So did you watch the USA vs Germany World Cup game today? I’d say it was a great game, but we lost. That’s not so great. However, we can take solice in the fact that we still get to move on to the next round. The dream is still alive!
I’m not really an avid soccer watcher or anything, but the hubs likes it and some of my coworkers are pretty big soccer fans so I’ve actually seen quite a bit of soccer since the World Cup’s been on.
In fact, I work full-time for a smaller company and enough of them were totally into it that we actually got to watch the game during lunch. One of my coworkers, who is totally into soccer, was so focused on the game I’m pretty sure someone could have died right in from of him and he wouldn’t have even noticed. It was pretty funny.
Lunches out are a regular thing for us. A recent favorite for lunch is this new Greek place – Tazikis. Have you heard of it? Apparently it’s a chain, but it is delicious. I wouldn’t normally be the kinda gal that orders a veggie plate for my meal, but they do it so well that’s pretty much the only thing I get. And it never gets old.
They also have baklava. I recently tried it for the first time. I can’t believe I’d never had baklava before. I immediately knew I wanted to make a baklava-inspired dessert. It just took a little bit before I figured out what that would be.
Then the other day I was thinking about how I wanted to make another poke cake – those babies are tasty and so easy to make. Have you seen my Cannoli Poke Cake? And it hit me! Baklava Poke Cake! Yes!
Though I tend to be a fan of cakes from scratch, I used a butter pecan cake mix. I figured the butter and nutty flavor would be perfect for adding to the baklava flavor.
Like any other poke cake, you have to poke it full of holes. That’s where gets it’s name after all. And since baklava is soaked in honey, why wouldn’t this cake be? Instead of just using sweetened condensed milk, the usual for poke cakes, I added honey to it. Pure. Heaven.
I topped the soaked cake with a mixture of cinnamon, butter and walnuts – the usual filling for baklava. Then I let everything soak and come together in the fridge. The cake absorbs all those delicious flavors!
Cinnamon honey whipped cream sounded absolutely perfect for the top of this cake, so I made some of that and spread that right on top.
For a little decor, I added a few more walnuts and some honey drizzle.
This cake got rave reviews! In fact, one taste tester said it tasted just like the baklava her grandmother used to make. Rock on!
If you’re into cinnamon, honey and walnuts, you will undoubtedly love this cake – and how easy it is to make.
More Dessert Recipes
- Cannoli Poke Cake
- Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes
- Classic Tiramisu
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream
- Oatmeal Cream Pie Gooey Bars
Baklava Poke Cake
save this recipe
Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get new recipes from us every week!
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box (15.25 oz) butter pecan cake mix
- 2 1/2 cups walnuts (finely chopped )
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup honey
Whipped Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/8 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Additional walnuts and honey for topping (if desired)
Instructions
- Bake cake according to package directions in a 9×13 cake pan.
- While cake bakes, mix together walnuts, cinnamon and butter and set aside.
- Once cake is done, remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Mix together sweetened condensed milk and honey.
- Poke holes all over the cake.
- Pour about three quarters of sweetened condensed milk mixture over cake.
- Cover cake with walnut mixture.
- Pour the rest of sweetened condensed milk mixture over walnut layer.
- Put cake in refrigerator and allow to cool completely and absorb the milk mixture, about an hour.
- To make the whipped topping, freeze a mixer bowl and whisk attachment for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove bowl from freezer and whip heavy cream until it begins to thicken.
- Add powdered sugar, honey, vanilla and cinnamon and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Spread whipped topping onto completely cooled cake.
- Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
Hello. What do you use to poke the holes in the cake? Looking forward to making this cake.
I actually use a knife sharpening rod, but you can also use a large straw or the end of a spatula or wooden spoon.
Hello can you please tell me wear I can buy the pkt cake mix for the poke cake in Sydney Australia
I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with where to get things in Australia.
For Marcia in Sydney, check your local grocery stores in the baking aisle for butter pecan cake mix made by Betty Crocker, Pillsbury or Duncan Hind. Surely your grocery stores carry cake mixes by one of these brands or a brand name that is carried in Australia. My sister-in-law is from Australia and she could usually find one of these brand names in the grocery stores. If all else fails you could make a butter pecan cake from scratch. I hope this helps, good luck.
Made this for the first time this morning, It is FANTASTIC!! Absolutely will be making this again. I made it for desert tonight but decided I better try a small piece for lunch, Big mistake I see another piece in the immediate future 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks Gail!
Can I make this cake in a bundt pan?
I haven’t tried it, so I’m not sure.
I made this cake for my sister’s birthday this past weekend. Normally I’ll take requests for b’day cakes but I told my sister that she was going to have to deal with a surprise this year. Oh my gosh! This cake was awesome. I used more frosting than the recipe called for but other than that, followed the recipe instructions. Several people said that this cake was the best that I’d ever made. Thank you!
Thank you Tammy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love all the flavors in this cake too.
Sounds wonderful. one question, can you use cool whip instead of heavy whipping cream?
Yes, you should be able to add the honey and cinnamon to the Cool Whip.
Thanks so much for such a timely reply. Will give it a shot with the cool whip. I am a gastric bypass patient and the heavy whipping cream makes me sick.
Would I not add the powdered sugar?
Nope. The powdered sugar helps thicken the whipping cream, but Cool Whip is already thick enough. You also shouldn’t need the vanilla. Just the honey and cinnamon.
Thanks much! You ROck!!