Margarita Poke Cake

3.50 from 4 votes

Get the party started with a Margarita Poke Cake! This easy summer dessert is moist, fluffy, boozy, and bursting with plenty of fresh lime flavor. It's the perfect addition to any celebration this season!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American/Tropical

Keyword Cake, Cake Mix Recipe, Poke Cake

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Cooling 2

Total Time 40

Servings slices

Calories 231kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

1 (16.5 ounce) box lemon cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box (eggs, oil, water)
1 (3.4 oz) box lemon instant pudding mix
Juice and zest from 1 lime
3 cups milk
4 tablespoons tequila divided**
1 tablespoon Triple Sec
12 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
Optional toppings: fresh lime slices; sprinkles; extra lime zest

Instructions

Bake cake in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan according to package instructions but ADD zest from 1 lime and 2 tablespoons of tequila to the batter.
While cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. Make sure to press the holes all the way to the bottom of the cake.
In a medium bowl, whisk milk into pudding mix until thick and smooth. Stir in juice from 1 lime, 1 tablespoon of tequila and 1 tablespoon of Triple Sec. Spread pudding onto warm cake, pouring the pudding into the holes. Use a spatula or spoon to gently push the pudding into each of the holes. You want the cake to be saturated!
Place cake in refrigerator to cool completely before frosting (about 2 hours).
When cake is cool, prepare the frosting.
Add 1 tablespoon of tequila to the whipped topping. Gently fold together until combined. Spread whipped topping onto cake and sprinkle with desired toppings (sprinkles, extra lime zest, fresh lime slices). Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

**I kept the alcohol content pretty low in this recipe so that it would not overpower the taste of the cake. Obviously, if you want to get really crazy and use more booze…feel free! Just adjust the measurements to suit your taste.

Nutrition