Prepare to delight your taste buds with a dessert that pays a delicious tribute to the King of Rock and Roll himself: The Ode to Elvis Poke Cake. This isn’t just any cake; it’s a culinary journey that brings together Elvis Presley’s most cherished flavors into one extraordinary, moist, and unforgettable treat. Imagine a rich peanut butter cake infused with creamy banana pudding, topped with fresh banana slices, a fluffy layer of Cool Whip, crispy bits of savory bacon, and a luscious peanut butter glaze. It’s a symphony of sweet, salty, and creamy that captures the essence of a true legend.
The Ode to Elvis Poke Cake: A Symphony of Iconic Flavors
While some may assume this cake is a creation of an ardent Elvis fan, the truth is, my appreciation for the King isn’t quite as fervent as for his legendary sandwich. Don’t get me wrong, Elvis had some incredible songs, and his impact on music is undeniable. However, it was never the music that truly captured my imagination as much as the unique culinary combination he popularized. This cake, therefore, is less an ode to the man and more a celebration of a truly brilliant flavor profile – a delicious, fun, and utterly yummy reason to get into the kitchen. And really, do we need a better reason than that to bake something amazing?
Where My Unexpected Connection to Elvis Flavors Began…
My first encounter with the remarkable combination of flavors that would inspire this cake dates back to a rather unexpected time in my childhood. When I was just five or six years old, I underwent surgery – a tonsillectomy and adenoid removal, a common procedure for kids. It stands out in my memory not for the pain, but for the unexpected culinary delights that followed. Hospitals aren’t my favorite places; they usually mean discomfort or bad news, and I tend to avoid them whenever possible. But this particular hospital stay had a silver lining.
I distinctly remember a kind nurse offering me a “free ticket” to unlimited 7-Up and popsicles. To my young mind, this was the ultimate luxury! She even walked me down to a special room filled with snacks, telling me I could have anything I wanted, whenever I wanted. I’m pretty sure I never wanted to leave that magical place. Popsicles have a way of doing that to kids, making everything seem wonderful.
Discovering the Legendary “Elvis Sandwich”
Beyond the endless popsicles, my first taste of “real food” in the hospital was something truly extraordinary: an “Elvis sandwich.” I can’t recall what else accompanied it, but that sandwich, oh, I absolutely adored it! It was unlike anything my mom ever made at home. My usual fare consisted of plain peanut butter and jelly or cold cuts, maybe a grilled cheese if I was lucky – all perfectly fine, but undeniably boring compared to this revelation.
For those unfamiliar, the “Elvis sandwich” is a surprisingly simple yet incredibly satisfying combination of peanut butter, banana, and bacon, typically served grilled. As a child, I had no idea what it was called or who Elvis Presley even was. I didn’t care about the name or the celebrity connection; I just knew it was the most amazing sandwich I’d ever tasted. That flavor memory stuck with me for years. It remained a singular culinary experience until I was an adult, and even then, I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve revisited that particular sandwich. But the impact was profound.
From Sandwich to Sensation: Crafting the Elvis Poke Cake
It took me a long time to truly appreciate the genius behind that sandwich – whoever conceived of combining peanut butter, banana, and bacon was a visionary! What’s not to love about that incredible blend of sweet, salty, and creamy textures? A few weeks ago, a crazy idea sparked: why not transform this iconic sandwich into a poke cake? Those of you who follow my culinary adventures know I have a bit of an obsession with poke cakes. They’re such a versatile and fun way to infuse incredible flavors and moisture into a simple cake.
My fellow food blogging friends, who affectionately tease me about my poke cake passion, are probably nodding their heads right now. Some might even secretly think this Elvis Poke Cake idea is a stroke of genius – and I can certainly hope they do! The concept felt perfectly aligned with the playful, yet deeply satisfying nature of Elvis’s favorite snack. A poke cake offers the ideal canvas to soak up all those rich banana cream and peanut butter flavors, creating a dessert that is moist, decadent, and utterly irresistible.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: enough of the delightful chatter, dear reader, it’s time for the recipe! So, get your stretchy pants ready, because without further ado, I present to you the ultimate culinary tribute, The Ode to Elvis Poke Cake. This dessert is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience, a blend of nostalgia and pure indulgence that you simply must try.
Average Rating: 4.50 from 6 votes
Servings: 24 servings
The Ode to Elvis Poke Cake
By Jamie Sherman
Celebrate the King of Rock and Roll with this Ode to Elvis Poke Cake! A peanut butter cake with banana cream pudding, topped with sliced bananas, Cool Whip, crispy cooked bacon, and a peanut butter glaze!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
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Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set (8-Piece, BPA-free)
Ingredients
For the cake:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
- 4 eggs
- 1 box Duncan Hines butter golden cake mix (18.25 oz.)
- ⅔ cup water
Additional ingredients for the cake:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 box Jello banana cream instant pudding and pie filling mix (3.4 oz.)
- 4-5 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1 container Cool Whip, thawed (8 oz.)
- 12-16 ounces bacon, cooked, crumbled and drained
For the glaze:
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 5 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the ½ cup peanut butter and softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition. Gradually add half of the cake mix and ⅓ cup of water, mixing on low speed until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining cake mix and the remaining ⅓ cup of water; mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
- Once the cake has cooled slightly, use the handle end of a wooden spoon (or a large fork) to poke holes all over the cake. Ensure there are plenty of holes for the pudding to seep into, creating that classic moist poke cake texture.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant banana cream pudding mix and 2 cups of milk until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour this pudding mixture evenly over the entire cake, gently spreading it with the back of a spoon to ensure it fills all the poked holes. Arrange the sliced bananas evenly over the pudding layer. Next, spread the thawed Cool Whip over the bananas. Finally, sprinkle the crispy, crumbled bacon over the top of the Cool Whip layer.
- To prepare the peanut butter glaze, combine the ¼ cup creamy peanut butter and 5 tablespoons milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until the mixture is smooth and pourable. Transfer the warm glaze into a small zip-top bag and snip a tiny piece off one of the corners. Drizzle the peanut butter glaze artfully over the top of the cake.
- Cover the finished cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving. This chilling time allows the pudding to fully set and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- For an added textural contrast, consider using crunchy peanut butter in both the cake batter and the glaze.
- Ensure your bacon is very crispy and well-drained to prevent the cake from becoming greasy or soggy.
- If you prefer a homemade whipped cream, you can substitute it for the Cool Whip.
- For best results, prepare this cake the day before serving to allow ample time for chilling and flavor development.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 square
Calories: 284kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 313mg
Potassium: 210mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 16g
Vitamin A: 221IU
Vitamin C: 2mg
Calcium: 92mg
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy from Love Bakes Good Cakes
- Elvis Banana Split with Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Elvis Donuts
- The Elvis Trifle with Bacon
- Elvis RITZwiches
- Elvis Puddin’ Cookies
This Elvis Poke Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a conversation starter, a nostalgic trip, and a delightful indulgence all rolled into one. Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or simply a lover of unique and delicious flavor combinations, this cake is sure to become a new favorite. Its rich peanut butter base, creamy banana infusion, and surprising bacon crunch create a harmonious blend that is truly irresistible. Don’t wait for a special occasion; treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of pure rock and roll culinary history today!
Originally published on October 24, 2013. Updated on April 24, 2021.