If you love rich, creamy desserts with deep coffee flavor, this White Russian Poke Cake is about to become your new favorite sweet treat. Inspired by the iconic White Russian cocktail, this indulgent dessert combines a soft vanilla cake base with bold coffee notes, a buttery Kahlua-infused glaze, and a fluffy whipped topping that melts in your mouth. Every forkful is moist, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and richness.

This recipe is ideal for anyone looking for easy dessert ideas, budget-friendly recipes, and simple family recipes that still feel impressive. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a holiday dessert table, or just craving a comforting homemade treat, this cake delivers bakery-style results without complicated steps. It’s proof that easy recipes for beginners can still taste luxurious and indulgent.

Why You’ll Love This White Russian Poke Cake

Easy dessert recipe for beginners using simple, accessible ingredients
Budget-friendly meal-style dessert that feeds a crowd without high cost
Perfect make-ahead dessert for parties, holidays, and celebrations
Moist and flavorful thanks to the poke cake method
Family-approved comfort food dessert with rich coffee and cream flavors
Customizable recipe with easy substitutions and variations

Ingredient Breakdown:

Yellow Cake Mix – The Perfect Base: A yellow cake mix creates a soft, fluffy foundation that absorbs liquid beautifully. Its mild vanilla flavor allows the coffee and Kahlua notes to shine, making it one of the best cake bases for poke cake recipes. Using a boxed mix also keeps this recipe quick, reliable, and beginner-friendly.

Strong Brewed Coffee – Bold Depth of Flavor: Strong brewed coffee adds richness and complexity to the cake. It balances the sweetness of the sugar and butter while enhancing the coffee liqueur flavor. This ingredient is key to achieving that signature White Russian taste without overwhelming the dessert.

Kahlua or Coffee Liqueur – Signature Flavor: Kahlua delivers the classic coffee-caramel flavor associated with White Russian cocktails. It adds warmth, aroma, and depth, making the cake taste indulgent and grown-up. You can also use other coffee liqueurs depending on preference or availability.

Unsalted Butter – Richness and Moisture: Melted butter creates a silky glaze that seeps into the cake, adding richness and a luxurious mouthfeel. Unsalted butter allows better control over the final flavor, preventing the cake from tasting overly salty.

Granulated Sugar – Sweet Balance: Sugar sweetens the glaze and helps create a slightly sticky texture that locks moisture into the cake. It balances the bitterness of the coffee and rounds out the flavor profile.

Whipped Topping – Light and Creamy Finish: A whipped topping provides a fluffy, airy contrast to the dense, soaked cake layers below. It keeps the dessert from feeling heavy and adds a smooth, creamy finish that completes the White Russian flavor experience.

Optional Garnishes – Visual and Textural Appeal: Chocolate shavings, crushed nuts, or coffee beans add texture and visual interest. These garnishes enhance the presentation and make the dessert feel bakery-quality with minimal effort.

Ingredients List

1 box yellow cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water listed on the box)
1 cup strong brewed coffee, slightly cooled
1/2 cup Kahlua or coffee liqueur
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
Optional: chocolate shavings, crushed nuts, or coffee beans

How This Easy Dessert Recipe Comes Together

After baking the cake according to package instructions, holes are poked across the surface while it’s still warm. The coffee and Kahlua mixture is poured over the cake, allowing it to soak deep into every layer. As the cake cools, it absorbs all that flavor, resulting in an ultra-moist texture. The whipped topping is then spread over the top, sealing in moisture and adding a creamy finish.

Pro Tips for the Best White Russian Poke Cake

Use very strong coffee to prevent the flavor from fading after baking
Poke holes evenly across the cake so the glaze distributes uniformly
Pour the glaze while the cake is warm for maximum absorption
Chill the cake before serving to enhance flavor and texture
Use fresh whipped topping for the lightest, creamiest finish

Ingredient Swaps and Recipe Variations

Alcohol-Free Version: Replace Kahlua with coffee syrup or sweetened condensed milk mixed with coffee
Chocolate Lover’s Version: Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow cake
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free butter and coconut whipped topping
Lower-Sugar Alternative: Reduce sugar in the glaze and use a sugar-free whipped topping
Nutty Twist: Add hazelnut liqueur or almond extract for a flavor boost

Serving Suggestions for Maximum Enjoyment

Fresh berries for contrast
A cup of hot coffee or espresso
Vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence
Light fruit salad to balance richness

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Make Ahead

Prepare the cake up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors deepen as it chills, making it even better the next day.

Refrigerator Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it tightly sealed to maintain moisture.

Freezing Tips

Freeze individual slices without the whipped topping for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add topping before serving.

Reheating

This cake is best served cold or at room temperature and does not require reheating.

Cultural and Recipe Inspiration

This dessert draws inspiration from the classic White Russian cocktail, a popular drink made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. By translating those flavors into cake form, this recipe blends American comfort food desserts with cocktail-inspired creativity, making it a modern crowd-pleaser for parties and holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make White Russian Poke Cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake is ideal for making ahead. Chilling it overnight improves flavor and texture.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to four days for best freshness.

Can I make this recipe healthier?

You can reduce sugar, use lighter whipped topping, or make an alcohol-free version for a lighter dessert.

What substitutions work for allergies?

Use dairy-free butter and whipped topping for dairy allergies, and alcohol-free coffee syrup if avoiding liqueur.

Is this recipe beginner-friendly?

Absolutely. This is an easy dessert recipe for beginners with simple steps and reliable results.