Adding some spices and pumpkin pudding makes this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Cake a delicious fall treat to end any meal. The cool and creamy pudding and topping are a refreshing treat on those still warm fall days.
Those magazines that stores put at the end of check out lanes are dangerous to me. I tell myself that I have plenty of food magazines at home still to read, but that doesn’t stop me from buying more.
The problem is that I buy new ones every single time I go to the store. Ok, maybe not every time, but I have quite the stack of new ones piling up. I like to call it “research” because reading food magazines always sparks new recipes and creations in my mind.
Unfortunately food magazines are not the only things I have a hard time resisting in the stores. Jewelry, candy, and seasonal décor also tend to jump into my shopping cart if I’m not watching. Unfortunately, most of those do not fall under the “research” category. I’m still trying to find a way to have those be a work related expense, but so far those still go in the hobby column.
Another thing I have a hard time resisting is making pumpkin everything in the fall. I look forward to the fall months because pumpkin treats are accepted a little more than in March or July. I don’t know why because pumpkin treats are delicious any time of year, but I admit that I do not bake with pumpkin year round either.
So, when fall comes I have to make up for it by making something every week. Ok, fine sometimes it’s pumpkin every day. My family just rolls their eyes at me when they see more pumpkin on the counter. I just pretend not to see those eye rolls.
One of my favorite cakes is this chocolate s’mores pudding cake. I love the creamy pudding streaks in the cold, soft cake. I started brainstorming how I could make that type of cake into a fall dessert. Adding pumpkin and spices to vanilla pudding creates a fun pudding that goes so well with a spice cake and topping.
Poke cakes are just what they sound like. As soon as your cake comes out of the oven, you will poke the cake all over with the handle of a wooden spoon. Then mix your pudding ingredients and spoon it over and into the holes.
The pudding will be thick, so use the back of the spoon to really smooth it into the holes. You can even tap the bottom of the cake pan on the counter to make the pudding fill in. Then let it cool completely in the refrigerator. A little bit of pumpkin pie spice added to a container of Cool Whip is the perfect way to cover the pudding mess on top the next day.
I still have a few more cans of pumpkin in my cupboard just waiting for me to get inspired. Are you ready for more pumpkin in the next few months? I sure hope so, because all the “research” I have done has given me so many new ideas.
Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Pudding Cake
Pumpkin pudding and a spice Cool Whip make this cool and creamy cake a great addition to your fall parties.
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1 - 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 ยพ cup milk
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and bake in prepared 9x13 pan based on box directions.
- Cool the cake 5 minutes, then use a wooden spoon handle to poke holes all over the cake.
- Whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk. Stir in the pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Spoon the pudding immediately over the holes in the cake. Use the back of the spoon to push the pudding into the holes. You can also tap the cake gently on the counter to get the pudding to go into the holes.
- Cool completely in the refrigerator.
- Stir the remaining teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into the Cool Whip. Spread over the cooled cake. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 60Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Chels+R.
I love how simple and easy this is. Perfect!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin
This looks so easy and delicious! I love poke cakes. What could be better than a pumpkin one?? Yum!
Krystle
I can't resist food magazines either, always something in there that I want to remember but am afraid I'll forget=buy!
What a yummy and unique pudding cake idea for Fall!
Jocelyn
Hahaha! That's exactly why I buy them too!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
This looks awesome! I, too, also fall prey to those magazines in stores. I want all of them, from the trashy ones to the gossip ones to the food ones especially!
Jocelyn
Those store are good...they know we just can't resist magazines by the checkout!!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Pumpkin poke cake are the BEST! Love this one!
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting
I wouldnยดt mind pumpkin every day either Jocelyn ๐ I love pumpkin desserts! Love the idea of using it in a pudding cake too!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
So moist and infused with pumpkin flavor! What a great fall treat ๐
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Can't wait to see what all your research brings us in the doming days, Jocelyn! I for one, can't wait to get my new oven so I can try out this pumpkin spice pudding cake. I've been ovenless for two weeks now... had to order a custom size because of our cabinets. They tell me any day now. So I'm having to hurry up and wait. Can't go wrong with pumpkin, even every day...:)
Jocelyn
Oh, yikes! I can't imagine being without an oven! Guess it makes you get creative with the no bake goodies though! I hope your oven is in place and you are baking up a storm now!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I want to bake all the pumpkin things! Especially this pumpkin spice pudding cake. It looks delightful!
Jocelyn
I hear ya...bring on all the pumpkin goodness!!!!
Beth
I really like all of the research you've been doing lately.. we are benefiting greatly! ๐
Jocelyn
Gotta love food research ๐
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I have to resist the urge to not make pumpkin goodies just about every day, Jocelyn! And it doesn't help that my husband isn't the biggest pumpkin fan. This pudding cake looks fantastic! Love the flavors in here!
Jocelyn
Man, I have a few of those non pumpkin loving people in my house too! Lucky for me my oldest loves pumpkin, so he helps me eat everything I made!!!