🍌🍮 Banana Caramel Poke Cake – The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

If you have a few overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, this Banana Caramel Poke Cake is the perfect way to transform them into an irresistible dessert. Inspired by classic American poke cakes, this moist banana cake is infused with rich caramel and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting for a truly decadent treat. It’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and is guaranteed to impress at family gatherings, celebrations, and dinner parties.  

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📋 Recipe Information

* Prep Time: 30 minutes

* Bake Time: 30 minutes

* Cooling Time: 20 minutes

* Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

* Servings: 12

* Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Banana Cake

* 100 g (3.5 oz) butter, melted

* 1 cup granulated sugar

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

* 2 large eggs

* 2 ripe bananas, mashed

* ⅔ cup milk

* 2 cups self-rising flour

For the Caramel Filling

* 1 can (380 g) caramel condensed milk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

* 250 g cream cheese, softened

* 50 g butter, softened

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

* 2 cups powdered sugar

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs until smooth.

3. Add the mashed bananas and milk, stirring until combined.

4. Fold in the self-rising flour until just incorporated.

5. Pour the batter into a lined rectangular baking dish (approximately 22 x 30 cm).

6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.  

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Step 2: Add the Caramel

1. Allow the cake to cool completely.

2. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes all over the surface of the cake.

3. Warm the caramel condensed milk slightly until pourable.

4. Pour most of the caramel over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.

5. Reserve 2 tablespoons of caramel for decoration.  

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Step 3: Make the Frosting

1. Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until fluffy and light.

3. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled caramel-filled cake.  

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Step 4: Decorate & Serve

1. Drizzle the reserved caramel over the frosting.

2. Slice into squares and serve.

For an extra-special presentation, garnish with banana slices, crushed toffee, or chopped walnuts.

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💡 Pro Tips

✔ Use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.

✔ Let the cake cool completely before adding the frosting.

✔ Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving for cleaner slices.

✔ This cake tastes even better the next day as the caramel fully absorbs into the sponge.

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🥗 Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)

* Calories: 420

* Carbohydrates: 52 g

* Protein: 5 g

* Fat: 21 g

* Sugar: 36 g

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* Perfect use for overripe bananas.

* Rich caramel flavor in every bite.

* Soft, moist, and incredibly tender texture.

* Easy enough for beginners.

* Ideal for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

The combination of fluffy banana cake, gooey caramel filling, and creamy frosting creates a dessert that’s impossible to resist.  

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