Chocolate Poke Cake is a delicious dessert made with a simple box cake mix, pudding, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips and a chocolate whipped cream frosting.
I know I have been posting A LOT of desserts lately but I cannot help it. Spring is here, Easter is coming and we are planning so many warmer weather activities already like grill outs and gatherings. This Chocolate Poke Cake is perfect to make for all these events and also a big hit.
What is a “poke” cake?
A poke cake is typically a box cake mix baked in a 13 x 9 inch pan. Once cooled, you poke holes in the cake using the back of a wooden spoon. Whip up a batch of pudding or jello, then pour that over the top of the cake. Let cool and set up and then do a layer of frosting. Voilà. You just made a yourself a truly delicious cake. This chocolate version is so decadent and moist that any chocolate lover will be in love.
Chocolate Poke Cake
Chocolate Poke Cake is so super chocolatey (that’s a word, right?) with multiple layers of chocolate goodness. My favorite layer is the light whipped cream frosting. Although, still made with chocolate, this frosting layer makes the entire dessert a fluffier and airy.
How to make the chocolate whipped cream frosting
It only takes 3 ingredients to make this luscious frosting : heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and confectioners sugar. Before beginning, place the beaters and mixing bowl into the freezer to get nice and cool. Once cooled, remove from freezer and put together your hand or stand mixer with the chilled beaters. Combine all your ingredients into the cold bowl and beat fro 3-5 minutes. The frosting is done when you reach that firm peak where the frosting will stand straight up with a slight curl when the beaters are lifted.
Chocolate Poke Cake
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
Chocolate Pudding
- 3.9 ounce chocolate pudding powder
- 2 cups cold whole milk
Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Garnish
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- chocolate syrup
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the remaining cake ingredients (milk, cake mix and eggs) and lightly beat until you have a nice, consistent batter.
- Spray the 13 x 9 inch pan with non-stick spray and pour batter into it.
- Bake for 28- 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- Once cooled, use the bottom of a wooden spoon to gently poke holes throughout the cake.
- Make your pudding. Add a box of chocolate pudding powder to cold milk and stir until it begin to set up. Immediately pour the pudding over cake. Smooth out the top.
- Set the cake in fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill.
Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
- As the cake is chilling, place the beaters and a mixing bowl into freezer.
- Once the beaters and bowl are chilled, assemble the hand or stand mixer and start the frosting. Beat the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and confectioners sugar for 3-5 minutes. You want a stiff peak to form where when you lift the beaters, the frosting will stand straight up with a slight curl.
Finishing Touch
- Frost the cake.
- Decorate the top with chocolate syrup and mini chocolate chips.
- Cut into 12 portions and serve. Note that you can get more portions out of this to serve more people.
Notes
A family gathering? A birthday party? A pot luck at work? What will you be bringing this decadent Chocolate Poke Cake dessert to this season? Let me know in the comments below.
Oh yummy! I’ve been wondering what a poke cake is (I always read it po-KAY like the Hawaiian dish!) We love using whipped cream as frosting because it’s not too sweet. My kids would LOVE this!
Yes, the whipped cream frosting is so much lighter and not as sweet- so good! You should try this Marcie.
The concept of a poke cake reminds me of my tres leches cake I make! I have to poke holes in the top to make sure the milk sleeps into the cake. I love the idea of pudding, so rich and creamy!
Exactly! The pudding works its way into every creamy bite- so delicious.
Oh I had forgotten the joys of a poke cake. They are so easy to make but delicious to eat! Thanks for the recipe.
Sounds like it is time to make one again Tiffany! SO simple to make.
Do you want to make me happy? Give me a chocolate cake 😀
Right? Somtimes you just need a little chocolate.
Nothing beats a good poke cake for easiness and deliciousness! Looks so yummy!
I know- they are sooo easy and always so tasty.