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Peaches and Cream Poke Cake

Hold on kids it’s about to get peachy. My family’s Summer dessert menu just wouldn’t be complete without this Peaches and Cream Poke Cake. It’s a celebration of our beloved Southern summer fruit and it doesn’t disappoint. In it, a vanilla cake is filled with fresh sweet peaches both in the batter and the dreamy topping that’s poured onto the cake fresh from the oven. Cool it completely, then top it off with billows of whipped cream and enjoy the sweet peach delight in every bite.

Peaches and Cream Poke Cake

Easy Peaches and Cream Poke Cake Recipe

We love peaches in the South. In recent years Georgia, the peach state, has been surpassed by California and South Carolina in peach growing and production. We grow our own share of peaches here in North Carolina, too. Regardless of where the majority are grown, that doesn’t dull their shine they are, and will always be thought of as our own. How to make Peaches and Cream Poke Cake: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • simmer Peaches – Place the peaches into a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the peach schnapps or peach nectar, if using. Simmer until softened and juices have been released.
  • Thicken – Add the cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved and there’s little to no juice left in the pan. Remove from the heat and add the almond extract. Mix well then set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Toast Almonds – Spread the almond slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 3-5 minutes then remove. Cool completely.
  • Cake Batter- Prepare the cake mix per the directions using the amounts called for of water, oil and eggs. Mix 1/2 of the diced peaches into the batter.
  • Transfer to Pan – Mix well then pour into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes back clean.
  • Poke Holes in Cake – Remove from the oven and using the back of a wooden spoon or similar generously poke holes over the entire cake.
  • Filling – In a small mixing bowl, mix together the remaining peaches and condensed milk. Pour over the cake. Cool completely.
  • Frost the Cake – Cool then frost with whipped topping and garnish with toasted almonds and additional peach slices, if desired. Store leftovers chilled.
Peaches and Cream Poke Cake

How to Make the Best Peaches and Cream Poke Cake Recipe

You all know I love to bake from scratch. This peaches and cream poke cake can be made using a cake mix or from scratch using my old fashioned butter cake either way, it’s a winner. Serve this homemade fresh peach poke cake at your next backyard barbecue and prepare for the “oohs” and “aahs.”

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Peaches and Cream Poke Cake: One box Golden Vanilla cake mix, 4 cups peeled and finely diced fresh peaches, peach schnapps or peach nectar (non alcoholic) cornstarch, almond extract, ground nutmeg, one can of sweetened condensed milk plus two containers of Cool Whip or a private label brand that you enjoy, thawed to frost the top. To decorate as pictures, you’ll need additional peach slices and fresh mint leaves.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A peach pitter and slicer or a sharp knife and chopping board, mixing bowls, a hand mixer or a stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, a big spoon or spatula to stir it all together.
  • To decorate the cake as pictured, you’ll need a large Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off or a pastry bag with an open round tip.
  • While I use peach schnapps to cook the peaches a non alcoholic option is to use peach nectar found either with the fruit juices or sold in cans on the Hispanic food aisle. It works perfectly to give the fresh peaches a punch in flavor.
  • The holes poked in the cake give the golden opportunity for the peach and condensed milk mixture to saturate the cake and it gets better and better each day. I like to use the handle of a wooden spoon or similar to allow room for the filling to soak into them.
  • Store leftover Peaches and Cream Poke Cake chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Peaches and Cream Poke Cake

More Southern Style Recipes Using Peaches to Make

Peach desserts can be found year-round on our dessert menu whether they’re fresh, canned or frozen there’s always a way. More dessert recipes using peaches that you may like to try:

peach-poke-cake-recipe

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Peaches and Cream Poke Cake

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Cooling time4 hours
Course: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: peaches-and-cream-poke-cake
Servings: 12 pieces
Calories: 567kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 4 cups peeled and finely diced fresh peaches plus 12 slices for garnishing (Optional)
  • 1/3 cup Peach Schnapps OR peach nectar i.e. Jumex
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp pure almond extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 15.25 oz box golden vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare OR homemade Butter Cake
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed OR 4 cups fresh sweetened whipped cream
  • 1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Instructions

  • Place the peaches into a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the peach schnapps or peach nectar, if using. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until softened and juices have been released.
  • Add the cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved and there’s little to no juice left in the pan. Remove from the heat and add the almond extract. Mix well then set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Spread the almond slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 3-5 minutes then remove. Cool completely.
  • Prepare the cake mix per the directions using the amounts called for of water, oil and eggs.
  • Mix 1/2 of the diced peaches into the batter. Mix well then pour into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes back clean.
  • Remove from the oven and using the back of a wooden spoon or similar generously poke holes over the entire cake.
  • In a small mixing bowl, mix together the remaining peaches and condensed milk. Pour over the cake. Cool completely.
  • After cooled frost with whipped topping and garnish with toasted almonds and additional peach slices, if desired. Store leftovers chilled.

Notes

Cake mix hacks
1- Add 1 tsp of pure vanilla or almond extract to the cake batter for extra flavor.
2- Replace the amount of water called for with whole milk or buttermilk.
3- Add one extra egg to give the cake more rise.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

20 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Melissa , I love your recipes and my question today pertains to baking in ceramic and stoneware dishes that look presentable and pretty to take to a family gathering.
    Do they bake as well as in metal pans or do I have to make some changes in the recipe and / or baking times ?
    Some of the loaf pans and baking dishes that you use are so pretty so I thought of asking you for some insight as I want to buy one large pan for cakes .

    1. Hi, thanks so much. Ceramic or glass baking dishes are fine for baking desserts. They do bake differently than metal in that they’re slower to heat and hold heat longer. Depending on the dessert, you may need to adjust baking times, in general. Metal tends to heat up quicker and is ideal for baking things with a crust that you want to brown. This is just generally speaking, as always keep an eye on baked goods there are always variables.

  2. Hi there! Would it be OK to bake the cake a couple of days before serving it? Or will the fresh peaches in the cooked cake go bad?

    1. Hi Jules, the peaches won’t go, bad but they may change in texture just a bit. (Not bad but, I just wanted to mention.) You can make it at least one day in advance, then frost it just before serving on the day you plan on serving it.

      1. Thanks Melissa! I’m going to bake the cake today and refrigerate overnight. Will frost tomorrow right before serving. Can’t wait to taste it!

  3. 5 stars
    So, I made this cake after seeing the video on Facebook. It is AMAZING and I love the addition of peaches to the actual cake. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to answer my questions about it before I got started. This will be a regular on our summer menu for sure!

  4. Can I use can peaches for this recipe?
    If so do I still need to cook with cornstarch and almond extract?

  5. Hey want to try this for a party. I was wondering adding peaches to box cake mix won’t it make batter runny? Do we bake the cake longer than recommendation? Please reply if possible so I can make this coming weekend.

  6. Oh my stars…. I friggin love peaches and my bc just ordered a French toast made with a peach topping and I’ve been drooling over it ever since! Yes, of course I stole a few bites when he wasn’t looking 😉

    I’ve never had one cake before but will have to save this recipe. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!! Xoxo

    1. Hi Charlotte, I love that your a food thief! Why does this not surprise me? (Me, too!) My motto is, if it’s on the table it’s fair game. Thanks for stopping by. xoxo

  7. Omgosh you out did yourself love fresh peaches this time year this cake with peaches an all was such a big hit but all your recipes are always so delicious keep up the awesome work

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