Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (2024)

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This Cannoli Poke Cake is a simple vanilla cake soaked with sweetened condensed milk and covered with an unforgettable topping that mimics the filling of a classic cannoli! It’s moist, indulgent, and 100% irresistible. A quick and easy recipe you’ll come back to over and over!

Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe
  • What You’ll Need
  • How to Make Cannoli Poke Cake
  • Tips for Success
  • Why is my topping so thin?
  • Proper Storage
  • More Poke Cake Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe

Poke cakes are so fun, versatile and easy to make. If you’re looking for a dessert recipe that will knock it out of the park and not require too much time, this is it. Here’s a few more reasons to love it.

  • Classic Cannoli flavor. If you dream about cannoli, you are going to go nuts over this dessert. The topping captures the glorious, rich, sweet flavor of this irresistible Italian classic perfectly.
  • Perfect texture. Some poke cakes can be a bit soggy. I only soaked this one with half a can of sweetened condensed milk (as opposed to a whole can). It provides the perfect sweetness and moisture with none of the sogginess.
  • Easy to make. Just bake a cake, poke some holes in it, saturate it with sweetened condensed milk, and whip up a quick topping. It’s an awesome beginner recipe.
  • Make ahead. This a great recipe for making ahead of time. You could easily make it the day before you plan to serve it. It will give the cake time to absorb the moisture and the topping plenty of time to set.
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What You’ll Need

Buckle up and head on over to the grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this cannoli poke cake recipe to life. Scroll on down to the recipe card below for precise measurements.

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  • White cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box) – I used a store-bought white cake mix. But you could use a homemade vanilla cake mix, which is quite similar to a cake mix in texture. If you’re looking for a denser, butter-based cake, I’d recommend my Funfetti Cake. Just leave out the sprinkles.
  • Sweetened condensed milk – You’ll use it in the topping and pour it over the cake. It adds a nice richness and sweetness to both components. Plus, it adds lots of moisture to the cake and is part of the “poke cake” name.
  • Ricotta cheese – You don’t have to strain the ricotta although, if you are prepping ahead, you certainly can. Wrap it in cheesecloth (optional) and set it in a bowl in the fridge overnight. In the morning, discard the water that has seeped out. I don’t usually strain it and typically use the Galbani brand.
  • Mascarpone cheese – Keep the mascarpone in the fridge until about 10 minutes before using it. You don’t want it to get too warm, or it’ll end up watery.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon – The cinnamon is optional but I love the extra layer of flavor it adds.
  • Mini chocolate chips – I like the more subtle mini chocolate chips, as opposed to the full-sized ones.
  • Powdered sugar – I dusted my poke cake with extra powdered sugar. You don’t have to but I am a big fan of the look of it.

How to Make Cannoli Poke Cake

Here’s a quick rundown of how to make this easy poke cake. You’ll find more detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

  • Make the cake. Prepare the cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan per the instructions on the box.
  • Poke. Remove the baked cake from the oven and poke holes all over the top.
  • Soak. Reserve 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk and pour the rest over the top of the warm cake. Spread it around with a spatula.
  • Cool. Allow the cake to cool completely.
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Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (6)
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  • Make the topping. Gently mix together the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract. Stir in the powdered sugar and cinnamon followed by the reserved sweetened condensed milk.
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Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (10)
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  • Assemble. Spread the topping evenly over the fully-cooled cake.
  • Chill. Refrigerate until the topping is set (3-4 hours or overnight).
  • Finish it off. Top the cake with mini chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
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Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (13)
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Tips for Success

  • Poke and pour while warm. When pouring the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, do so while the cake is still warm. If it has cooled too much, the liquid won’t absorb as well into the cake.
  • Let it cool. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the mascarpone topping. Otherwise, the topping can melt or wilt.
  • Keep the mascarpone cold. Mascarpone cheese has a tendency to turn watery when it gets too warm. So keep it in the fridge until about 10 minutes before you use it.
  • Mix gently. Marscapone can turn watery if it is over-mixed, so, when making the topping, mix gently and just until everything is combined.
  • Be patient. It may be tempting to dive right into this delicious dessert, but it needs time to set up in the fridge (unless you want a runny mess). Refrigerate it for at least 3-4 hours before slicing and serving. I like to let it sit overnight

Why is my topping so thin?

This topping is naturally on the thinner side. It does thicken in the fridge and the longer you let it sit, the thicker it gets. I even think it’s best to let it sit overnight. It doesn’t get as firm as a whipped cream or buttercream, but it certainly stays in place, like it should. That said, you can make it thicker by leaving the sweetened condensed milk out of it. If you choose to do that, you can use the remaining sweetened condense milk on top of the cake along with the rest, if you’d like. The topping will be a little less sweet that way.

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Proper Storage

Wrap the cake (in its pan) tightly with plastic wrap or arrange slices in a single layer in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you choose to freeze it, allow the cake to thaw in the fridge before diving back into the leftovers.

More Poke Cake Recipes

Enchanted by this whole idea of an incredibly easy, insanely delicious poke cake? I’ve got more where this one came from. Here are a few other flavor profiles I think you’ll love.

  • Lemon Poke Cake
  • Chocolate Turtle Poke Cake
  • Oreo Chocolate Poke Cake
  • Coconut Poke Cake
  • Baklava Poke Cake
  • Baileys Chocolate Poke Cake

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Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (16)

Recipe

Cannoli Poke Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 24 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Chill Time: 4 hours
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 15-18 Servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Cannoli Poke Cake is a simple vanilla cake soaked with sweetened condensed milk and covered with an unforgettable topping that mimics the filling of a classic cannoli! It’s moist, indulgent, and 100% irresistible. A quick and easy recipe you’ll come back to over and over!

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix, plus ingredients on box*
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups (372g) ricotta cheese (most of a 15 oz container)
  • 1 1/2 cups (339g | 12oz) mascarpone cheese
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (115g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, optional
  • 1/2 cup (85g) mini chocolate chips
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting, optional

Instructions

  1. Bake a 9×13 cake according to the box directions.
  2. While the cake bakes, pour ½ cup of sweetened condensed milk into a measuring cup and set aside.
  3. When done baking, remove the cake from the oven and poke holes all over the top of the cake. I use a knife sharpener, but the end of the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula would work too.
  4. Pour the remaining sweetened condensed milk over the top of the warm cake, then spread it around with a spatula, allowing it to soak into the holes. If a little bit remains on top of the cake, that’s ok. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  5. When the cake has cooled, make the topping. Add the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese and vanilla extract to a mixer bowl and gently mix together until well combined and smooth. You do this by hand with a spatula, or mix on low speed with a mixer. You don’t want to over mix this mixture or it can turn watery.
  6. Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon and gently stir until well combined.
  7. Add the reserved ½ cup of sweetened condensed milk and gently stir together until well combined. The mixture will seem very thin.
  8. Spread the topping evenly over the top of the cake. Refrigerate until the topping is set, at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
  9. Top with mini chocolate chips and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, then serve.
  10. Store cake well covered in the fridge. Cake is best if eaten within 4-5 days.

Notes

I used a store-bought white cake mix. But you could use a homemade vanilla cake mix, which is quite similar to a cake mix in texture. If you’re looking for a denser, butter-based cake, I’d recommend my Funfetti Cake. Just leave out the sprinkles.

Do consider straining the ricotta before using, especially if it’s a particularly watery brand. Also, when mixing together the ricotta and mascarpone cheese, DO NOT over mix it. If mascarpone cheese is over mixed, it becomes very thin.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 429
  • Sugar: 28.5 g
  • Sodium: 144.5 mg
  • Fat: 22.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50.6 g
  • Protein: 8.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 75.7 mg

Categories

  • Cakes and Cupcakes
  • Christmas
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Sweets and Treats
Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe - A Classic Italian Dessert in Poke Cake Form (2024)

FAQs

What is a cannoli cake made of? ›

Inspired by a classic Italian dessert, vanilla sponge cake is frosted with amaretto ricotta frosting and topped with pistachios and chocolate chips.

What is the history of poke cake? ›

According to Lynne Galia of the Kraft Heinz Company, the Jell-O gelatin poke cake, developed by General Foods Kitchens, first appeared in print advertising and in Jell-O recipe booklets in 1976. The subsequent Jell-O pudding poke cake recipe was introduced in 1981.

Why is my poke cake soggy? ›

Make sure the holes aren't too close together or too far apart—if they're too close together, your cake could be too moist; if they're too far apart, there may not be enough filling throughout the cake.

How do you poke a hole in a cake? ›

A clean wooden spoon handle is the best tool and gives you nice big holes to fill with liquid gelatin, but in a pinch a chopstick or even a fork could work. Holes about 1½ inches apart in a grid pattern are ideal, but poke cakes are forgiving; it'll be delicious regardless of the spacing.

What is the history of the cannoli cake? ›

Cannoli were once referred to by the Sicilians as Cappeli de Turchi, or Turkish hats. The pastry was made specifically for the Carnivale, a festive season before lent with parades and masquerades not unlike Mardi Gras. For festival goers the cannoli became a symbol of fertility.

Why is cannoli popular in Italy? ›

Gaetano Basile claims that cannoli come from the Palermo and Messina areas and were historically prepared as a treat during Carnival season, possibly as a fertility symbol. The dessert eventually became a year-round staple in Sicily.

What is the poke test for cake? ›

Check the surface of the item used to poke the cake.

You will know whether or not the cake is ready by seeing: If it comes up with some wet batter, crumbs or stickiness on it, the cake needs to bake some more. If it is dry, then the cake is done.

Why are poke bowls so popular? ›

In conclusion, poke bowls have become extremely popular for a variety of reasons. They are convenient, flexible, delicious, and healthy. They offer a new and unique dining experience, and are a favorite among health-conscious individuals and those following a sustainable diet.

Where is poke made from? ›

poke, dish of Hawaiian origin composed of small pieces of raw fish that are marinated and then served with vegetables, rice, and other ingredients. In the Polynesian language spoken in Hawaii, poke, which rhymes with okay, means “chunk” or “something cut away,” usually by crosscutting.

How long is poke cake good for in the fridge? ›

Store the Jell-O poke cake, tightly covered with storage wrap or foil, in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How do you keep a cake super moist? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Why did my cake turn out chewy? ›

Overmixing

Overworking the batter, especially if it contains gluten, will result in a tough, chewy cake. You'll often see the instructions, “mix until just combined,” in cake recipes. This means to stop mixing as soon as you see that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

What does adding pudding to a cake do? ›

Adding instant pudding mix to your dessert brings a moist texture to recipes.

What do raindrop cakes taste like? ›

Raindrop cakes have a mild flavor. This cake is slightly vanilla flavored although you can add any flavoring extract (lemon, cherry, etc) to achieve other flavors. Traditional Japanese raindrop cakes are also mildly flavored and get most of their flavor from the sugar syrup and soybean powder served on the side.

Can you add sweetened condensed milk to cake mix? ›

Sweetened condensed milk can be added directly to your cake mix in moderation or used as a delicious frosting alternative.

What is cannoli dessert made of? ›

A cannoli is a tube-shaped Italian dessert that consists of fried pastry dough stuffed with a sweet, creamy cheese filling. The crispy pastry shell is made with the usual suspects: flour, sugar, whole eggs, and butter. It's usually spiked with marsala, a fortified wine that adds distinct flavor and sweetness.

Is cannoli made of puff pastry? ›

Puff Pastry Cannoli – flaky puff pastry shells filled with a sweet ricotta filling and topped with chocolate chips. Super simple to make and they taste amazing!! Puff pastry shells, heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract.

What are cannoli cookies made of? ›

These Italian Cannoli Cookies combine all the ingredients and flavors you would expect from a cannoli into a cookie! Ricotta cheese, mini chocolate chips, pistachios, amaretto and citrus flavors explode in your mouth – topped off with a dark chocolate drizzle and sprinkles for holiday cheer.

What is a genoise cake What is it made of? ›

Genoise is a light and fluffy sponge cake, named after the city of Genoa, Italy. It's known for its delicate, foam-like texture and is often used as a base for various bakes, including madeleines and ladyfingers. It's made with eggs, sugar, flour and butter.

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