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
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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!
Can’t find the butter pecan cake mix anywhere, any suggestions?
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. 🙂
Hi. Could you use pistachios instead of walnuts?
The flavor might be a bit different, but if you prefer pistachios go for it! It shouldn’t change anything about making it.
Made the Baklava Poke Cake. Awesome. The new family favorite. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love all the flavor in it! 🙂
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!
Thank you so much Jasey! Thanks for all the pins! 🙂
Oh goodness, this cake looks crazy good, Lindsay! Cinnamon, walnuts, CAKE, YUM!
Thanks Julie! It’s definitely a new favorite of mine!
Oooo, now this is something special. I am just itching to give this a try!! Brilliance, my dear.
Thanks Risa!
You’re a cake genius! Love this version girl! Pinned!
Thanks Trish! 🙂
You are a genius! Thanks.
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!! 😀
She’ll love this then Jess! All the flavor, less work. 🙂
I love how moist and scrumptious this cake looks! Such a clever idea :).
Thanks Kathi!
Love this! Such an easier way to make Baklava or to have all the flavors in one place 🙂 Gorgeous Lindsay!
Thanks Chelsea!
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!
Thanks Aimee! Can’t wait to see yours! 🙂
Oh my goodness! This looks so amazing! Pinning right now!
Thanks Robin!
ARE YOU SERIOUS with this cake?!?! I need it right now!!
I’m so sad we lost! But this cake will definitely help. Poke cake plus baklava equals happiness!
Wow! Looks really good ..loved the idea
Thanks Michal!