### How to Make a Delicious Banana Pudding Poke Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Banana pudding poke cake is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, blending creamy banana pudding with a layer of chocolate cookie crumbs and punctuated by small holes for extra flavor. Follow this detailed recipe guide to create your own version at home.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow cake mix
- 3/4 cup milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 7-8 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (from about 50-60 cookies)
- Optional: whipped cream or caramel sauce for drizzling
#### Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Large baking dish (9x13 inches works well)
- Spatula
- Popsicle stick or skewer to poke holes in the cake
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### 1. Prepare the Banana Pudding Base
1. **Preheat Oven:** Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of yellow cake mix with 3/4 cup milk and 6 tablespoons of melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
3. **Add Marshmallows:** Mix in the mini marshmallows until well incorporated.
#### 2. Bake the Cake
4. **Bake the Cake Layer:** Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the cake is set and slightly golden.
5. **Cool Completely:** Allow the banana pudding layer to cool completely before moving on.
#### 3. Prepare the Cookie Crumbs
6. **Crush Cookies:** While the cake cools, crush your chocolate wafer cookies into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin or using a food processor.
7. **Combine with Marshmallows (Optional):** If desired, mix 1/2 cup of the crushed cookie crumbs with some of the remaining marshmallows for added texture.
#### 4. Assemble the Poke Cake
8. **Poke Holes:** Once the cake has cooled completely, use a popsicle stick or skewer to poke holes all over the surface.
9. **Apply Cookie Crumbs and Marshmallows:** Sprinkle the chocolate wafer crumbs evenly over the cake layer. Press them down slightly into the holes you've made.
#### 5. Add Sliced Bananas
10. **Place Bananas:** Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the cookie crumb layer, ensuring they fit snugly in the holes and cover any exposed areas.
11. **Drizzle or Top with Whipped Cream:** If desired, drizzle caramel sauce over the bananas for an extra touch of sweetness or add a dollop of whipped cream.
#### 6. Chill and Serve
12. **Chill Before Serving:** Cover the poke cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
13. **Serve Chilled:** Once chilled, serve slices of your banana pudding poke cake, garnished as desired.
### Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use more cookie crumbs or add some chocolate chips to the batter.
- Experiment with different types of bananas for varying sweetness levels.
- Consider adding a layer of vanilla ice cream between the banana slices for an extra cooling effect.
By following these steps, you can create a unique and delicious poke cake that's sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy crafting this fun dessert!