Baklava Poke Cake

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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.

A square of Baklava Poke Cake on a white plate

Baklava Poke Cake in a pan

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.

Close-up of a square of Baklava Poke Cake on a white plate

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.

Overhead view of a piece of Baklava Poke Cake on a white plate

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!

A piece of Baklava Poke Cake on a plate with a fork

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.

Baklava Poke Cake in a pan with holes poked in it
Baklava Poke Cake in a pan with several pieces missing
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.

A piece of Baklava Poke Cake on a plate

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.

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon
A square of Baklava Poke Cake on a white plate
Recipe

Baklava Poke Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: According to Package
  • Total Time: About 53 minutes
  • Yield: 15-18 Servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

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.


Ingredients

CAKE

  • 15.25 oz box Butter Pecan cake mix
  • 2 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 14 oz can 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 cinnamon
  • additional walnuts and honey for topping, if desired

Instructions

1. Bake cake according to package directions in a 9×13 cake pan.
2. While cake bakes, mix together walnuts, cinnamon and butter and set aside.
3. Once cake is done, removed from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.
4. Mix together sweetened condensed milk and honey.
5. Poke holes all over the cake.
6. Pour about three quarters of sweetened condensed milk mixture over cake.
7. Cover cake with walnut mixture.
8. Pour the rest of sweetened condensed milk mixture over walnut layer.
9. Put cake in refrigerator and allow to cool completely and absorb the milk mixture, about an hour.
10. To make the whipped topping, freeze a mixer bowl and whisk attachment for 10-15 minutes.
11. Remove bowl from freezer and whip heavy cream until it begins to thicken.
12. Add powdered sugar, honey, vanilla and cinnamon and whip until stiff peaks form.
13. Spread whipped topping onto completely cooled cake.
14. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 425
  • Sugar: 42.4 g
  • Sodium: 204 mg
  • Fat: 22.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53.6 g
  • Protein: 6.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 31.8 mg

Filed Under:

Enjoy!

You might also like

Cannoli Poke Cake
Cannoli Poke Cake - vanilla cake topped with cannoli filling icing!

Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes - layers of cinnamon swirled in the cupcake and cinnamon sugar icing!

Classic Tiramisu
Classic Tiramisu

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream - Cinnamon ice cream, with oatmeal cookie pieces, mini chocolate chips, and a cinnamon swirl

Oatmeal Cream Pie Gooey Bars
Oatmeal Cream Pie Gooey Bars

Recipes from friends:
Peanut Butter Baklava from Crazy for Crust
Maple Pecan Baklava from Bakeaholic Mama
Baklava Brownie Bombs from The Domestic Rebel
Baklava Bites from Lemons for Lulu

Share a Comment

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you and seeing what you made!

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

48 Comments
    1. Lindsay

      I actually use a knife sharpening rod, but you can also use a large straw or the end of a spatula or wooden spoon.

    1. Jan Armstrong

      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.

  1. Gail

    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 🙂

  2. Tammy

    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!

      1. April Bunch

        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.

      2. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

        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.

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Well that’s a bummer. Have you tried Walmart? They usually have all the things that I can’t find anywhere else. 🙂 If not, you could try adding some butter extract to the a spice cake mix. I imagine some of the flavor is similar, and the butter extract could add a little flavor to it. With or without the butter extract, a spice cake mix might be the next best thing. I think the cake would still be delicious. I’d love to know what you think if you try it – I still am so in love with all the flavors in this cake. 🙂

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      The flavor might be a bit different, but if you prefer pistachios go for it! It shouldn’t change anything about making it.

  3. Jasey

    Ok, I’ve been stumbling around your blog for a bit this morning drooling, pinning, and sharing on my facebook page, @Crazy Daisy, and thought I’d stop to leave drop you a note! What an insanely delicious beautiful blog you have! Kudos!

  4. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain

    Mmmm my mom adores baklava but hates the idea of making it. I’ll have to send her this poke cake version ASAP! She’ll be so excited! Thanks for the amazing recipe, Lindsay!! 😀

  5. Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron

    Love this! Such an easier way to make Baklava or to have all the flavors in one place 🙂 Gorgeous Lindsay!

  6. Aimee @ ShugarySweets

    What a genius poke cake idea!! I’ve got one coming next week, but I’m wishing I had this one in front of me right now!

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29