Stunning and delicious Banoffee Poke Cake combines fluffy yellow cake, freshly whipped cream, sweet bananas and dulce de leche for a delightful, delicious mix of textures and flavors that’s as indulgent as it is irresistible. Perfect for any occasion and a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
Looking for more delicious cake recipes? Make sure to try my Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake and Caramel Cake!
Banoffee Cake
Put this Banoffee Cake on your to do list right now – you won’t be disappointed! This simple dessert is sure to be a showstopper no matter the occasion. This stunningly delicious and easy cake recipe combines the rich flavor of Dulce de Leche with a fluffy yellow cake, whipped cream and bananas. It’s an irresistible treat that is perfect for any occasion and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
This recipe is one of my favorites to whip together if I’m short on time. I’ve provided a couple of variations in the recipe card at the end of this post that includes a homemade yellow cake instead of using the box mix as well as homemade dulce de leche if you can’t find dulce de leche in your store.
What is Banoffee?
Banoffee is a combination of the words “banana” and “toffee” that refers to a British dessert known for its combination of bananas, whipped cream and toffee that is classically made from boiled sweetened condensed milk (or what we call Dulce de Leche). The most common dessert that features the banoffee flavor profile is the banoffee pie which features a buttery base, layers of toffee, bananas and whipped cream.
Over time, the word “banoffee” has come to be commonly used for desserts that feature this combination of ingredients, leading to deliciousness like this Banoffee Poke Cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy Banoffee Poke Cake has it all. Buttery, yellow cake is soaked with warmed Dulce de Leche, topped with whipped cream, and garnished with bananas and toffee pieces. Boxed cake mix and canned Dulce de Leche makes for a convenient and fast dessert that no one will be able to resist.
- Decadently Delicious. Dulce de leche is so rich and creamy that it creates an incredibly decadent dessert quickly and easily.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: This cake is perfect no matter the occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, birthday, family get together – this cake will undoubtedly be a real crowd pleaser.
- Semi-Homemade or Homemade. I’ve provided options for this cake to be with the help of a box mix and canned dulce de leche OR to be made completely from scratch. See recipe card at the end of this post.
What You’ll Need
This easy recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients that you can pick up at any store. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need, and as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- yellow cake mix – Provides a fluffy base to soak up the Dulce de Leche.
- Dulce de Leche – Adds a rich, caramel flavor to the cake and adds sweetness and moisture. I used store bought dulce de leche but I’ve included instructions on how to make your own with sweetened condensed milk in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- heavy whipping cream – This is the topping for the cake that adds a lightness and airiness to the dessert.
- vanilla extract – Adds a lovely vanilla note to the whipped cream that complements the flavor of the yellow cake.
- bananas – Freshly sliced bananas pair beautifully with the caramel notes of the dulce de leche.
- toffee pieces – Totally optional but I love the texture they add.
Homemade Yellow Cake
Don’t love using cake mixes? No problem! I have a really simple and delicious homemade yellow cake recipe for you to use in the recipe card at the end of this post!
How To Make Banoffee Poke Cake
This is really a simple recipe to make and I’m going to break down the steps for you here but, as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Bake the cake.
Whether you’re opting for a box mix or a homemade yellow cake (recipe in the recipe card below), you will want to bake the cake and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Poke holes in the cake and then let it cool completely.
Dulce de Leche.
Warm the Dulce de Leche in a bowl or glass measuring cup in the microwave, just until it is a pourable consistency. Pour evenly across the cake and use a spatula to help spread it around and get it into the holes of the cake.
Whipped Cream.
Add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract to a bowl and whip until soft peaks are formed and the cream is holding its shape. Spread evenly across the top of the cake. Chill until ready to serve.
Toppings.
When ready to serve, slice bananas and lay all over the top of the cake. Top with toffee bits and a drizzle of dulce de leche. Enjoy!
Storage Information
This cake is best served within 48 hours, but can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The whipped cream will start to weep after 72 hours and the bananas will begin to turn brown. I do not recommend freezing.
Variations To Try
- Use a chocolate cake mix or homemade chocolate cake for a really delicious twist.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the cake.
- Swap bananas for sliced strawberries or other fruit for a different flavor profile.
- Use your favorite caramel sauce instead of dulce de leche in this recipe.
Allergy-Friendly Variations
For those with dietary restrictions, here are a few modifications to consider:
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix or make the homemade cake with 1:1 gluten free flour.
- Dairy-Free: Look for a coconut or almond whipped cream or use thawed, frozen whipped topping and dairy-free caramel sauce to make this dessert dairy-free.
- Nut-Free: Ensure that the toffee pieces are nut-free or omit them entirely, replacing them with a nut-free crunchy element like chocolate shavings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake homemade? Absolutely! I’ve included a quick and easy homemade yellow cake recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post.
What if I can’t find dulce de leche? It’s available in most stores next to the sweetened condensed milk but is also widely available online.
Trish’s Tips
- Be sure to allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before poking the holes with a wooden spoon. If the cake is too hot it might collapse when you poke the wooden spoon in.
- It is important that the cake is completely cooled before you frost it with the whipped cream, a warm cake will melt the whipped cream.
- Use cold cream as this will help you to whip it easily.
- Can’t find canned dulce de leches and don’t want to make your own with sweetened condensed milk? Just swap in caramel sauce instead.
- If using the box mix, replace water with milk for a richer cake.
More Delicious Cakes To Make
Banoffee Poke Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 13.25 ounces yellow cake mix (1) box + ingredients used to make cake according to package directions (eggs, oil, etc.) See notes below to make a homemade cake.
- 2 cups Dulce de Leche canned, See notes below to make your own
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 to 3 medium bananas
- ¼ cup toffee pieces chopped
- Dulce de Leche for drizzling
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 9”x13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and create a parchment sling by laying a piece of parchment in the baking dish and up the sides. Prepare and bake the cake according to the package directions.13.25 ounces yellow cake mix
- Cool the cake for 15 minutes then use the handle of a wooden spoon to evenly poke holes all across the cake. Let the cake cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Warm the Dulce de Leches in a bowl or glass measuring cup in the microwave, just until it is a pourable consistency. Pour evenly across the cake, using a spatula to help spread it around and get it into the holes of the cake.2 cups Dulce de Leche
- In a mixing bowl, add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract and whip with an electric whisk or mixer with a whisk attachment on medium speed until soft peaks are formed and the cream is holding its shape. Spread evenly across the top of the cake.2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Place covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, thinly slice the bananas and garnish the top of the cake with the sliced bananas and chopped toffee bits.2 to 3 medium bananas, ¼ cup toffee pieces
- Drizzle extra Dulce de Leches over the top of the cake.Dulce de Leche
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature for 30 minutes
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- Lightly grease and flour a 9x 13 baking dish. Create a parchment sling by laying a piece of parchment in the baking dish and up the sides. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.
- Beat butter with in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer for about 1 minute.
- Add sugar gradually, beating until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. When all sugar has been added, beat on medium speed for an additional two minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined before adding the next egg.
- Beat in vanilla extract.
- Add 1/3 of the flour mixture followed by 1/3 of the milk beating on low speed just until combined. Repeat twice more.
- Spread batter in to the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Continue with the recipe as written above.
- (2) 14 ounces cans sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
- (3) 8 ounce canning jars with rings and lids (or (4) 6 ounce jars) – shorter jars work best
- Evenly divide the sweetened condensed milk amongst the jars and seal the jars with clean rings and lids. Make sure the lids are closed tightly.
- Place the jars in your slow cooker with space in between.
- Fill the slow cooker insert with enough water to cover the jars by 2 inches
- Place the lid on and cook on low for 10 hours.
- Remove the jars with tongs and cool to room temperature.
- Leftover dulce de leche can be refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
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