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4.81 from 73 votes

Carrot Poke Cake

Amazingly Moist Carrot Cake Stuffed with Carrots, Coconut, Pineapple, Topped with a  Buttermilk Glaze and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 20 pieces
Calories: 695kcal
Author: Julie Evink

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 c. buttermilk
  • 3/4 c. vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 c. sugar
  • 2 c. peeled and grated carrots
  • 1 1/2 c. sweetened flaked coconut
  • 8 oz can crushed pineapple drained

Buttermilk Glaze

  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. buttermilk
  • 1/2 c. butter
  • 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 c. butter softened
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 c. powdered sugar

Topping

  • 1/4 c. toasted coconut

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13×9 in pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. For cake, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Place eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and sugar in a large bowl and mix until smooth. Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in carrots, coconut, and pineapple. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed.
  • While the cake is baking prepare the glaze. Add sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup and baking soda to medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Vigorously stir mixture for about 8 minutes. The glaze with turn a light amber color. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside until ready to use.
  • When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately poke holes in cake. Pour the buttermilk glaze evenly over the top of the hot cake. Let cake cool completely.
  • For the frosting mix together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled cake. Top with toasted coconut.

Video

Notes

  • To toast coconut on the stove top simply place coconut in skillet and cook over low-medium heat, stirring frequently until flakes are mostly golden brown.
  • To toast coconut in the oven preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread coconut on baking sheet in thin layer. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 5 minutes, stirring once half way through baking. They brown quickly so watching them closely!
  • To toast coconut in the microwave spread coconut on microwave safe plate in thin layer. Microwave it in 30 second increment, stirring each time, until coconut is mostly golden brown.
  • To make a homemade buttermilk simply place 1 Tbsp white vinegar in a one cup measuring cup. Top off measuring cup with milk. Gently stir and let mixture sit about five minutes. This allows the milk to slightly curdle giving it a buttermilk-like texture and taste.
  • We recommend storing this cake in the refrigerator to keep it set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 695kcal | Carbohydrates: 108g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 85g | Vitamin A: 4390IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1.8mg