Talk about childhood memories! This Sock it to Me Cake is an old fashioned bundt cake made with yellow cake mix. With a cinnamon-sugar-pecan swirl in the middle and a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar on top, this classic continutes to show up generation after generation.
If you're familiar with this cake, I bet you also know about this classic Apricot Nectar Cake! It showed up way back when, too, and is still going strong today.
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Why it's Called Sock it to Me Cake
Back in the late 60s and early 70s, there was an old catch phrase when something was extra good. So when this cake came along, it seemed fitting to say this cake "socked it to me" with that sweet cinnamon pecan swirl in the middle. I vividly remember my mom making this cake!
Why You'll Love It
- Easy to make (uses yellow cake mix)
- Fluffy and flavorful (thanks to the vanilla pudding mix)
- Rich cinnamon flavor throughout the cake (cinnamon lovers rejoice)
Ingredient Photo with Notes
Sock it to Me Cake Ingredients
Cake Mix - yellow cake mix is the classic flavor (for example, Duncan Hines Classic Yellow). Using a mix keep things easy and guarantees a soft texture every time.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix - makes the cake richer and softer; instant pudding mix is what you need, just like for this Pumpkin Spice Cake.
Eggs - four eggs make the cake rice and fluffy.
Oil - use a neutral flavored oil such as canola or vegetable oil. It'll give the cake that "melt in your mouth" texture.
Flavorings - vanilla extract and ground cinnamon give the cake that classic flavor the cake is known for.
Cinnamon Pecan Swirl Filling Ingredients
Sugar - the sugar melts into the batter while the cake is baking; giving it that gooey ribbon in the middle.
Cinnamon - the key ingredient to the cake and the middle filling!
Pecans - it wouldn't be "southern" without crunchy pecans! We love pecans so we make this cake just like Mamaw did!
Ingredient Swaps
- Use golden butter or French vanilla cake mix.
- Use instant French vanilla pudding mix.
- Swap pecans for walnuts.
- Light brown sugar instead of white sugar (or mix half and half).
Cake Variations
Use a different topping - Instead of the cinnamon sugar spinkle on top of the cake, you can top the cooled cake with a simple vanilla glaze made of 2 cups powdered sugar mixed with 2-4 tablespoons of milk (you want the consistency to be like honey).
Turn this cake into muffins - fill each muffin cup with ¾ cup batter, sprinkle a little cinnamon-pecan filling on top, give it a little swirl, (no layering needed). Bake for about 18-22 minutes. Makes about 20 muffins.
This Pineapple Pound Cake is another favorite dessert that's sweet and delicious!
How to Make Sock it to Me Cake
Step 1. Mix up the cake batter and pour 3 cups of it into a Bundt pan.
Step 2. Mix up the cinnamon-sugar-pecan filling, and sprinkle it on top of the batter.
Step 3. Spread remaining batter on top and bake as directed.
Step 4. Brush the warm cake with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Recipe Tips to Know
- To keep the cake from sticking, use baking spray with flour, be sure to get into every nook and cranny. For the best results, use a non-stick cake pan, Wilton is good one!
- Use the instant pudding mix, not the cook & serve kind.
- Before putting the cake into the oven, a few gentle taps on the counter help release any big air pockets.
- Mix just until everything's combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough instead of tender.
- Keep your cake fresh, store it on the countertop on a pretty cake stand, like this wooden cake stand with glass dome.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can bake it in two loaf pans or a 9x13-inch pan. Just keep an eye on the bake time: loaf pans take about 45-55 minutes, and a 9x13 will usually bake a little quicker.
Yes, instant pudding is important for the texture. It keeps the cake moist and tender. Cook-and-serve pudding won't blend properly and can make the batter too thick.
Bundt pans can be tricky. Make sure every nook is greased well with baking spray that has flour in it, and let the cake cool about 10-15 minutes before turning it out. Too early or too late can cause sticking.
Absolutely!
More Cake Recipes to Try
If you tried this Sock it to Me Cake, please rate and review it below so I know how it turned out.
Recipe
Classic Sock it to Me Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
- standard size Bundt pan
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1-⅓ cups water
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Middle Filling
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a bundt pan with Baker's Joy.
- Blend the cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, water, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until creamy and fluffy (about 2-4 minutes).15.25 oz yellow cake mix, 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix, 1-⅓ cups water, ⅓ cup canola oil, 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Place 3 cups of the batter in the bundt pan and spread evenly.
- Mix the "middle filling" in a small bowl and then spread it on top of the batter in the pan. Gently swirl it in with a butter knife without mixing it in.⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ½ cup chopped pecans
- Dot the remaining batter on top of the middle filling. Gently spread it out on top of the middle filling covering the entire surface. It may not seem like enough batter to do this but there is - a small spoon works well for this.
- Place the cake pan on the middle oven rack and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out with no wet batter stuck to it. Because ovens can vary from home to home (and gas vs electric), check on the cake after 20 minutes then every 5 minutes after that to make sure the top isn't getting too browned before the middle is done.
- When the cake is done, let it cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Then remove it from the pan onto a cake platter or whatever you plan to serve it on.
- Brush the top of the warm cake with melted butter. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it on top of the cake. You can eat it while it's still warm or enjoy it after it's cooled off.2 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Notes
- To ensure the cake won't stick to the pan, use a baking spray with flour, make sure it gets into every nook and cranny.
- Before putting the cake into the oven, a few gentle taps on the counter help release any big air pockets that can show up as holes after the cake bakes
- Mix just until everything's combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough instead of tender.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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