Fireball Poke Cake starts with a box mix but it’s packed with cinnamon, butterscotch and Fireball Whiskey. Each boozy bite is topped with sprinkles and has the best flavor.

Fireball Poke Cake served on a plate.
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Fireball Poke Cake is one of the Best Poke Cake Recipes without much work. The recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients but turns out fabulous. This boozy cake with fireball whisky is such a treat with a little bit of kick.

If you like this recipe, try Margarita Poke Cake, Cannoli Poke Cake and Hawaiian Wedding Cake for another fun dessert. Poke cakes are so simple that anyone can make them in minutes. I also make Butterscotch Cake Recipe for more butterscotch flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

It’s super easy using a box mix but gets jazzed up quickly with other ingredients. Each bite is the perfect blend of sweetness for a delicious dessert. Everyone will love this dessert for special occasions, cookouts and more.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Fireball Poke Cake - Butter pecan cake mix, butterscotch pudding, milk, whisky, whipped topping, sanding sugar.
  • Butter Pecan Cake Mix. Plus the ingredients called for on the box.
  • Butterscotch Pudding. You will need the cook & serve type of pudding.
  • Whole milk. I recommend whole milk for the best flavor.
  • Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. This gives the cake its name!
  • Whipped Topping. Thawed and room temperature. You can also use Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe.
  • Red and Orange Sanding Sugar. This looks so pretty for topping.

Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.

Substitutions

  • Cake Mix. Instead of Butter Pecan Cake Mix, you can use a box of vanilla cake mix or yellow cake mix.
  • Topping. In addition to the sprinkles, garnish with Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe and ground cinnamon. I like to generously pour caramel on each serving.
  • Pudding. Swap the butterscotch pudding for vanilla pudding or white chocolate pudding.
  • Frosting. Substitute the topping with Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.

Step by Step Instructions

  • Step 1. Make the cake according to the package directions in a large bowl for a 9×13 cake. You can use a hand mixer. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake.
Cake baked in pan cooling.

Step 2. Once baked, allow the cake to cool for a few minutes.

Cake poked with holes.

Step 3. Next, poke holes all over the cake with the back of a wooden spoon handle. You want the holes to be big enough so that the pudding can soak into the cake.

Bowl with pudding combined.

Step 4. Get a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the pudding mix with milk and whisky. Stir until all the lumps are gone.

Pudding mixture spread on cake.

Step 5. Then pour pudding mixture over the top of the cake. Spread it all over the cake and gently push down into the holes. Next, put the cake into the fridge to set. It will take about 2 hours.

Cool Whip spread on cake.

Step 6. After the cake has cooled, spread the cool whip on top.

Sanding Sugar on cake.

Step 7. Garnish with the sanding sugar on top. Then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy! 

Storage

Refrigerate any leftover fireball cake recipe up to 5 days. You can also transfer the cake into an airtight container and place in the refrigerator.

Learn how How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge.

Pro Tips

  • Follow the box instructions. Whatever brand of cake mix you use, make sure to follow the box instructions to make the cake using 9×13 size.
  • Make large holes in the cake. I recommend using the end of a wooden spoon to make holes. This makes larger holes and lets the pudding sink in.
  • Allow the cake to chill. It is important to give the cake time to chill before serving.
Cake being served with a spatula.

FAQs

Can you use regular whisky?

You can substitute plain whisky for Fireball Whisky. However, if you do, choose one that is sweeter.

What is a poke cake?

It is a cake that has holes all over it for pudding or jello to soak into. It is then topped with frosting or cool whip.

Can you freeze this cake?

I don’t suggest freezing this cake. The texture will change, and it becomes soggier the longer it sits.

More Poke Cakes to Try

I can’t wait for you to try Fireball Poke Cake Recipe. Please leave a comment once you do. It makes my day to hear from you!

Fireball Poke Cake

5 from 1 vote
Fireball Poke Cake starts with a box mix but it's packed with cinnamon, butterscotch and Fireball Whiskey. Each boozy bite is topped with sprinkles and has the best flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Refrigerate 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 243

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce Butter Pecan Cake Mix plus the ingredients called for on the box
  • 2 boxes cook & serve butterscotch pudding mix 3.4 ounces each
  • 3 3/4 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
  • 8 ounces Whipped Topping thawed
  • Red and Orange Sanding Sugar for topping
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Instructions

  • Prepare cake mix according to package directions for a 9×13 cake.
  • Once the cake comes out of the oven, allow it to cool for just a couple of minutes.
  • Then, with a wooden spoon handle, begin poking holes in the cake. You want the holes to be big enough so that the pudding has plenty of room to get down in there. Be sure to poke right down to the bottom of the cake.
  • In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix with milk and whisky. Stir until all the lumps are gone.
  • Pour pudding over cake.
  • Spread it all out and using the back of the spoon, gently push pudding down into the holes.
  • Put the cake into the fridge to set and cool (about 2 hours).
  • Once your cake has completely cooled, spread on whipped topping.
  • Top with the sanding sugar and then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate any leftovers of the cake covered for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 243kcal, Carbohydrates 38g, Protein 4g, Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0.1g, Cholesterol 9mg, Sodium 305mg, Potassium 143mg, Fiber 0.4g, Sugar 24g, Vitamin A 129IU, Calcium 177mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious!

  2. Mary L Netzband says:

    ok first it says cook and serve pudding ( which I thought odd ) then further down , says instant

    1. Carrie Barnard says:

      Mary – I’m sorry for the confusion. The instant in the notes was a typo. I have corrected it as I used cook and serve pudding this recipe.