Super yummy and easy dessert: Banana Cream Pudding Poke Cake

This dessert it is in fact as delicious as it sounds. I made this for a bday party thing at work last week, and it was gone by the end of the day. It was light and fluffy and moist and just delicious! It's perfect for spring and summer. For anytime of the year really, but especially those seasons. You do need to plan ahead a bit for this since it does need to sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but if you make most of it the night before, it works out perfectly!

Banana Cream Pudding Poke Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• eggs, oil & water according to cake mix directions
• 2 pkgs (3.4oz boxes) instant banana cream pudding
• 4 C cold milk
• 1 tub (8oz) cool whip, thawed
• about 20 vanilla wafers, coarsely crushed

1. Prepare cake mix according to directions for a 9x13 cake.

2. Once the cake comes out, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.

3. Take a wooden spoon handle and poke holes all over the cake, making sure to poke it all the way through to the bottom of the pan. Make sure the holes are a good size to allow the pudding in. 

4. In a bowl, whisk the pudding together with the milk. Allow to set for about 3-4 minutes to thicken, but not completely set. 

5.Pour slowly over cake, taking care to pour directly into the holes. Spread it across the cake and lightly push excess into the holes when possible. 

6. Put the cake in the fridge for at least two hours. (I did overnight and it worked great)

7. Remove cake and "frost" with cool whip. (I only used about 1/2-2/3 of the cool whip tub and it was plenty)

8. Coarsely crush the vanilla wafers. If you don't want a crunch at all, crush them very well. I personally like the crunch with the moist cake, so I didn't crush mine too much.

9. Sprinkle the crushed wafers over the top of the cake as light or thick as you want. Do this immediately before you serve the cake to ensure that they stay crunchy. 

10. Slice 2-3 bananas and place slices on top for garnish.

If this sounds like a lot of work, don't worry. It really isn't. It's way easy and it was SO YUMMY! This would be great for a pot luck or a summer picnic. People will love you for it. Really. So, you're welcome in advance for all the new friends this cake will bring you.