Candy Corn Poke Cake
If you’re looking for the ultimate Halloween dessert, this Candy Corn Poke Cake is it! Bright, colorful, and incredibly easy to make, this layered cake looks just like the classic Halloween candy we all know and love. (But even if you aren’t a candy corn fan, you’ll still love this cake!)
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With its yellow and orange layers, creamy vanilla pudding filling, and fluffy Cool Whip topping, every bite is sweet, festive, and totally irresistible.
This cake is perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or just as a fun treat to get into the spooky spirit. Best of all, it starts with a simple box of white cake mix, so it’s quick to whip up with minimal effort but maximum wow factor.
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- 9×13 Baking Pan
- 1 box white cake mix + ingredients to prepare
- Yellow food coloring
- Red food coloring
- 1 (3.4 oz) box vanilla instant pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- Candy corn candies, for garnish
How To Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
Mix up the white cake mix according to the package directions. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, stir in a couple drops of yellow food coloring. In the other, add a couple drops of yellow and 1–2 drops of red food coloring to create orange.
Step 2: Layer the Colors
Pour the yellow batter into a greased 9×13 baking dish and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes. This step helps keep the colors from blending. Gently pour the orange batter on top and smooth it out.
Step 3: Bake
Bake at 350°F for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Poke and Fill
Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw to poke holes in the cake about an inch apart. Whisk together the pudding mix and milk until thickened, then pour evenly over the cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes.
Step 5: Top and Chill
Spread Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours (or overnight) so everything sets and the flavors meld together.
Step 6: Decorate and Serve
Before serving, cut into squares and garnish each piece with candy corn candies for the perfect finishing touch.
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Tips
- Make it extra festive: Add some Halloween sprinkles on top with the candy corn.
- Swap the pudding flavor: Try cheesecake, pumpkin or butterscotch pudding for a fun twist.
- Individual servings: Bake the cake in cupcake form for mini poke cakes.
More Desserts
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake
- Sally’s Sugar Cookies
- McDonald’s Apple Hand Pies
- Banana Bread Cookie Bars
- Banana Split Poke Cake
- Crock Pot Hot Fudge Cake
Halloween Party Ready
This poke cake doesn’t just look like candy corn—it’s also soft, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert since it needs to chill, and it’s guaranteed to be the star of any Halloween dessert table!
So grab a box of cake mix, some food coloring, and a bag of candy corn—you’ll have a spooky-sweet dessert that everyone will love. 🎃🍰🍬
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Candy Corn Poke Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Mix up the white cake mix according to the package directions. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, stir in a couple drops of yellow food coloring. In the other, add a couple drops of yellow and 1–2 drops of red food coloring to create orange.
- Pour the yellow batter into a greased 9×13 baking dish and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes. This step helps keep the colors from blending. Gently pour the orange batter on top and smooth it out.
- Bake at 350°F for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes.
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw to poke holes in the cake about an inch apart. Whisk together the pudding mix and milk until thickened, then pour evenly over the cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes.
- Spread Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours (or overnight) so everything sets and the flavors meld together.
- Before serving, cut into squares and garnish each piece with candy corn candies for the perfect finishing touch.
