We took a trip to Ireland last year, but it was just us. We knew immediately the kids would love it, so this time we brought the kids to Ireland! Day 1 We left the house Monday, August 14th about noon and arrived at Newark International Airport at about 2:30, breezed through security, and sat […]
Banana Split Poke Cake
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Banana splits just scream summer, right? I know they do to me! We put a fun spin on an ice cream classic with our Banana Split Poke Cake!
Poke cakes are super easy and add a fun surprise to cake.
And the best part?
It’s made from a box of cake mix! We always have boxes of cake mix stashed away in the cabinet because there are so many things you can do to doctor up a cake mix.
Our Banana Split Poke Cake is the perfect way to bring along that banana split taste to a cookout or pot luck, or just to serve the fam for a special treat.
The kids can really help with this dessert!
They can poke holes in the cake, spread pudding mix, add cherries, and top with sprinkles and chocolate chips!
What kid wouldn’t love that? I mean, look at those sprinkles and cherries on top!
Personally, I’m not a cherry fan, but my kids fight over them when we get ice cream!
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- PLUS ingredients called for on the box
- 1 package banana pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 3 cups Cool Whip
- 1½ cup maraschino cherries, rinsed
- 2 bananas
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
- Bake the cake in a 9x13" casserole-style pan according to package directions.
- Let the cake cool slightly as you prepare the pudding mix by mixing with 2 cups cold milk.
- While the cake is still warm, poke several holes all around the cake and pour the prepared pudding overtop.
- Spread to cover completely with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Cut your bananas into slices and then arrange the bananas and 1 cup of the cherries over the pudding layer.
- Spread the Cool Whip overtop of the fruit layer.
- Decorate as desired - we used rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and the remaining cherries.
- Cut and serve.

We usually have a few summer parties at our house and kick it off with Charlie’s birthday at the end of April.
I know I’ll make this poke cake for an easy dessert at least once at our house this summer.
ellen beck says
This looks and sounds delicious. I admit to loving banana splits. I try and limit them because really I would be a balloon if I ate them when I wanted. This would be an excellent potluck or picnic cake!
shelly peterson says
I love making poke cakes. This one looks really good.