Pumpkin Poke Cake Is Such a No-Fuss Potluck Contribution

Poke cake is exactly what it sounds like: a cake poked full of holes! But why add this seemingly silly step to an already delicious cake? Because it’s going to soak up a delicious topping! Here, a warmly spiced pumpkin cake gets vanilla pudding poured all over it, and the pudding sinks right into the holes to the center of the cake so that every single bite is extra tasty. Made and served in the same baking dish, it’s the perfect potluck cake for when you need something easy that you can make for any fall gathering.

Since there’s usually extra cooking going on around the holidays, make sure you pick recipes that are easy to pull off, and stock the kitchen with the right long-lasting tools so that you can cook efficiently. Bake the cake (or any future casseroles) in this sturdy OXO Glass 3-Quart Baking Dish, which has plenty of room and comes with a lid so that you can just snap it on for fridge storage or if you’re taking it with you to be served elsewhere.

Although this cake has three parts, you don’t need any heavy fancy baking equipment. This 9″ Whisk will be your best friend here: It’s strong and sturdy enough to tackle whisking together cake batter, preventing lumps from forming in the pudding, and beating cream into billowy whipped cream. The whisk has a soft handle that won’t slip out of your grip, even if you have wet hands.

To make sure the pudding has a chance to really sink and set in the cake, it needs to be poured onto the cake warm, and then the whole cake needs to cool to room temperature before you chill it. Placing the cake on this Non-Stick Cooling and Baking Rack lets the air circulate all the way around the baking dish to speed up the cooling process. It’s also a great rack to have around holiday cookie season when you have cookie tins to fill, plus it fits in standard baking sheets if you need a roasting rack.

When you’re ready to eat the cake, top it with the whipped cream and don’t forget the crowning touch: freshly grated nutmeg (and cinnamon if you have some sticks lying around) adds a pop of sweet spice and makes the whole cake even prettier. Use the OXO Etched Zester to finely grate it onto the top of the cake — it has non-slip feet to keep things steady, and you can also use it for things like hard cheeses, citrus zest, and even chocolate.

Whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or bringing a dessert to a potluck, this pumpkin poke cake is a no-stress way to bring a crowd-pleasing treat that both young and old will love. In fact, recruit a kid to help with the poking part; it’s so much fun to do!