Fireball Poke Cake Recipe

Zesty Fireball Poke Cake Recipe: A Boozy Sweet Treat

Unleashing a sweet symphony, this fireball poke cake dances with bold cinnamon whiskey flavors that spark culinary excitement.

Decadent layers promise an unexpected twist on classic dessert traditions.

Rich, moist textures invite you to indulge in a playful treat that challenges ordinary cake expectations.

Each forkful carries a spirited punch of warmth and sweetness.

Creamy filling seeps through delicate cake channels, creating unexpected flavor explosions.

Dessert enthusiasts will adore this daring confection that breaks standard baking rules.

Challenge your taste buds and impress guests with this audacious, grown-up cake sensation.

Come ready to experience a delightful dessert that turns ordinary moments into memorable celebrations.

Why Fireball Poke Cake Packs A Spicy Sweet Punch

  • Speedy Spice Sensation: This Fireball Poke Cake delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, taking just 30 minutes to bake and requiring simple ingredients anyone can find in their pantry.
  • Boozy Baking Brilliance: Infused with Fireball whiskey, the cake offers a playful adult twist that transforms an ordinary dessert into a show-stopping treat perfect for parties and gatherings.
  • Customize with Ease: Bakers can adjust the Fireball intensity or skip it entirely, making this recipe incredibly versatile for different taste preferences and age groups.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: The cake can be prepared in advance and chilled for 12 hours, which means less stress and more enjoyment when entertaining friends or family.

What You’ll Need For Fireball Poke Cake

Cake Base:
  • Spice Cake Mix: Provides the foundation for the cake with warm, spicy flavors.
  • Cinnamon: Adds extra warmth and depth to the cake's flavor profile.
  • Fireball Whiskey (Optional): Brings a spicy cinnamon whiskey kick to the cake batter.
Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that soaks into the cake.
  • Fireball Whiskey: Adds a cinnamon whiskey punch to the glaze.
  • Milk: Helps to thin and blend the glaze ingredients.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor complexity.
Topping:
  • Whipped Topping: Provides a light, creamy finishing layer.
  • Cinnamon: Adds a final sprinkling of warm spice to the topping.
  • Optional Garnish: Allows for personal creative decoration of the cake.

How To Whip Up Fireball Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven Stage

Warm up your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a friendly coating of grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix the Spicy Cake Base

Dive into creating your cake mix adventure with these ingredients:
  • Spice cake mix
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Fireball whiskey (optional but recommended)

Follow the package instructions for mixing, then sprinkle in cinnamon and a splash of Fireball for that extra kick.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the vibrant batter into your prepared pan. Slide it into the oven and let it dance for 25-30 minutes. Check its readiness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean and triumphant.

Step 4: Create Flavor Tunnels

Once the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, grab a wooden spoon handle. Transform your cake into a flavor highway by poking holes all across its surface. Think of it like creating secret passages for deliciousness.

Step 5: Craft the Magical Glaze

Whisk together these beautiful ingredients:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Fireball whiskey
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract

Step 6: Flood with Flavor

Gently pour the glaze over the cake, watching it seep into every hole. This is where the magic happens – each pocket becomes a burst of whiskey-infused goodness.

Step 7: Chill and Set

Let the cake cool completely, then tuck it into the refrigerator for 12 hours. This allows all those incredible flavors to mingle and get to know each other.

Step 8: Whip Up the Topping

Mix ground cinnamon into whipped topping, creating a spicy-sweet cloud of deliciousness.

Step 9: Final Flourish

Spread the cinnamon-kissed topping across the cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, a drizzle of caramel, or whatever your heart desires.

Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first magnificent bite!

Tips For Baking Fireball Poke Cake Just Right

  • Boost Flavor Intensity: Add an extra splash of Fireball whiskey to the cake batter for a more pronounced cinnamon-whiskey kick without compromising the cake's texture.
  • Perfect Hole Technique: Use a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to create uniform, deep holes that allow maximum glaze absorption throughout the cake.
  • Customize Sweetness Level: Adjust the powdered sugar in the glaze to control the cake's overall sweetness, making it more or less intense based on personal preference.
  • Alcohol-Free Adaptation: Replace Fireball with apple cider or extra cinnamon for a family-friendly version that maintains the warm, spicy flavor profile.
  • Serving Pro Tip: Chill the cake for at least 4 hours to let flavors meld and develop a more cohesive, rich taste before serving at gatherings or parties.

How To Store Fireball Poke Cake Without Mess

  • Preserve this delectable Fireball Poke Cake in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
  • Keep the cake refrigerated to maintain its moist texture and prevent the glaze from becoming runny.
  • Properly stored, the cake will stay delicious for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent any moisture loss and protect the cake from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Avoid leaving the cake at room temperature for extended periods, as the whiskey-infused glaze can spoil quickly.
  • For best flavor and texture, consume within the first three days of preparation.
  • When ready to serve, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to take the chill off and enhance its flavor profile.

Great Pairings For Fireball Poke Cake

  • Ignite Whiskey Warmth: Pair this spicy Fireball Poke Cake with a smooth, aged bourbon that complements its cinnamon notes, creating a harmonious dance of warmth and sweetness.
  • Chill with Creamy Contrast: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cool, velvety texture balance the cake's fiery whiskey punch.
  • Toast with Cinnamon Cocktail: Enhance the experience with a classic old fashioned cocktail, muddled with extra cinnamon stick to echo the cake's bold spice profile.
  • Brew Spice Companion: Match the dessert with a hot cup of chai tea, its fragrant spices and creamy undertones perfectly mirroring the cake's rich, warming character.

Tasty Twists On Fireball Poke Cake

  • Boozy Cinnamon Sensation: Transform the cake by adding extra Fireball to the batter for a more intense whiskey flavor, creating a bold adult dessert that packs a spicy punch.
  • Maple Whiskey Wonder: Replace some of the milk in the glaze with pure maple syrup, adding depth and complementing the cinnamon notes for a rich, warming treat.
  • Caramel Apple Kick: Mix finely chopped apples into the cake batter and drizzle caramel sauce over the finished cake, enhancing the spice cake's warm autumn-inspired profile.
  • Chocolate Whiskey Fusion: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cake mix and add chocolate chips to the batter, creating a decadent spin on the original recipe that balances whiskey's warmth with chocolate's richness.

Fireball Poke Cake Questions Answered

  • What gives this Fireball Poke Cake its special flavor?

The combination of spice cake mix, added ground cinnamon, and Fireball whiskey creates a unique, spicy-sweet dessert that captures the warmth of cinnamon and the kick of whiskey in every bite.

  • Can I make this cake without alcohol?

Absolutely! You can replace the Fireball whiskey with apple juice or additional milk in both the cake batter and glaze to create a non-alcoholic version that still has delicious cinnamon flavor.

  • How difficult is this recipe for beginner bakers?

This is a beginner-friendly recipe that uses a boxed cake mix as the base, making it super easy to prepare. The poke cake technique is simple and forgiving, so even novice bakers can create an impressive dessert with minimal baking experience.

  • Why do I need to poke holes in the cake?

Poking holes allows the glaze to seep deep into the cake, creating moisture and infusing extra flavor throughout the entire dessert. This technique ensures every slice is deliciously rich and evenly seasoned.

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Fireball Poke Cake Recipe

Fireball Poke Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Fireball whiskey ignites flavor in this irresistible poke cake, creating a boozy dessert sensation. Cinnamon-spiced layers soaked with whiskey promise an unforgettable treat that will delight dessert enthusiasts with its bold and spirited profile.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) Fireball whiskey (optional)

Fireball Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup Fireball whiskey
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) milk
  • ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) vanilla extract

Topping:

  • 1 container (8 ounces/226 grams) whipped topping, thawed
  • ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) ground cinnamon
  • Cinnamon candies (optional)
  • Red sprinkles (optional)
  • Crushed Red Hots (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light greasing to prevent potential sticking.
  2. Mix the spice cake foundation according to manufacturer’s guidelines, incorporating a dash of warming cinnamon and optional Fireball whiskey for an extra flavor kick.
  3. Transfer the liquid batter into the prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, and bake until a inserted testing utensil emerges spotless, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  4. After removing from the oven, allow the cake to rest and slightly contract for 10 minutes, then systematically perforate the surface using a wooden spoon handle, creating multiple absorption channels.
  5. Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking powdered sugar with Fireball whiskey, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  6. Cascade the liquid glaze across the perforated cake surface, ensuring it seeps deeply into each carefully created hole.
  7. Enable complete temperature reduction at room climate, then refrigerate for 12 hours to enhance flavor melding and texture refinement.
  8. Transform standard whipped topping by gently folding ground cinnamon throughout, creating a spiced cream layer.
  9. Generously spread the cinnamon-infused topping across the chilled cake and embellish with optional decorative elements before presenting to eager guests.

Notes

  • Customize the spice cake mix by adding extra ground cinnamon for a more intense warm flavor profile.
  • Swap Fireball whiskey with apple cider for a non-alcoholic version that maintains the spicy essence.
  • Ensure cake is completely cooled before poking holes to prevent crumbling and achieve clean glaze absorption.
  • Refrigerate overnight to enhance the cake’s moisture and allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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