This 'amazing' St. Patrick's Day dessert starts with a $1.25 box of cake mix

Eat, drink and be lucky!

St. Patrick's Day is a great time to celebrate the culture and history of the Emerald Isle and all its many people—both in Ireland and the great Irish diaspora around the world. When St. Patrick's Day rolls around in the States, we don green, enjoy our favorite hearty, comforting Irish foods, and indulge in a cheeky Guinness or two. If we're feeling adventurous, we may just head over to our local Irish pub and continue the party.

While we may whip out our favorite Irish recipes for soda bread, colcannon, and beef stew—there doesn't seem to be a common Irish or Irish-American dessert that we get to enjoy after a celebratory dinner. And why should the St. Patrick's Day festivities stop after suppertime?

Luckily, Allrecipes recipe developer Julia Levy created this incredible Salted Caramel Irish Cream Poke Cake that will fill that void. It's not traditional—but it is a delicious, perfect follow-up to a big plate of corned beef and cabbage. Plus, it all starts with a $1.25 box of cake mix, and a package of Jell-O mix—so you know it's going to be a no-fuss recipe.

All About Our Salted Caramel Irish Cream Poke Cake

If you're not familiar with the poke cake technique, it's a quick and simple way to spruce up any sheet cake. After baking off a cake, simply use a straw or fork to "poke" several holes across the surface of the cake. Then pour a simple syrup, Jell-O mix, or pudding mix and pour over the cake and spread the mixture evenly. The liquids will fill the holes of the cake, creating a dynamic and luxurious bite once served.

The Salted Caramel Irish Cream Poke Cake uses a butterscotch pudding mixture to fill the holes, and an Irish cream liqueur whipped frosting and caramel drizzle to top the cake. The result is an indulgent, celebratory dessert that tastes like it took hours to make. You can get the whole recipe in the link below, but here's an overview.

How To Make Salted Caramel Irish Cream Poke Cake

We think this dessert should be a part of your St. Patrick's Day menu. It's simple, tasty, and uses one of Ireland's many great exports, Baileys Irish Cream—the perfect ending to a celebratory day. Here's how to make it:

Prepare cake mix base. Start with a yellow cake mix base, then mix with egg, oil, and water, per package directions. Bake it in a greased 9x13 baking dish for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through, at 350 degrees F. A few minutes before the cake is finished baking, make the butterscotch filling.
Make butterscotch filling. Whisk a package of Jell-O cook-and-serve butterscotch pudding and pie filling mix in a saucepan with milk over medium heat until it starts to thicken. Take it off the heat and whisk in ½ cup of Irish cream liqueur. Poke several holes in the cake, then pour the pudding mixture on top, spreading evenly.
Prepare topping. Then make a simple whipped cream topping, adding a splash of the Irish cream liqueur as well. Spread atop the cake and drizzle with premade caramel sauce. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired.

Sláinte!

"Amazing dessert," raved one reviewer. "Served it at a family gathering. Everyone wanted the recipe."