Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake

Preparation

Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure the cake bakes evenly and reaches the perfect golden-brown color. Grease a 9×11-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking and make cleanup easier. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for extra insurance against sticking, but greasing it well is typically enough.

Prepare the Cake Batter:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter pecan cake mix, coconut pecan frosting, eggs, oil, and milk. The frosting adds a creamy texture to the cake, and the cake mix provides a quick, easy base for this decadent dessert. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the batter is smooth and well-combined. You can also mix by hand with a whisk, but an electric mixer ensures a fluffier, smoother batter.

Stir in the Pecans:

Once the batter is mixed, fold in the chopped pecans. The nuts will add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor to the cake, which perfectly complements the moist, rich batter. Stir gently to distribute the pecans evenly throughout the mixture.

Bake the Cake:

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Be sure not to overbake the cake, as this can dry it out. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Praline Sauce: