Welcome to your new favorite dessert! This chocolate poke cake is a true showstopper, guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth. Imagine layers of moist chocolate cake infused with creamy chocolate pudding, all topped with a light, dreamy whipped frosting. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that delivers a rich, decadent experience, perfect for any gathering or a special family treat.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Poke Cake

You’ll adore this simple yet spectacular chocolate poke cake for so many reasons. It’s truly a dessert marvel for busy parents and beginner bakers alike!

Effortlessly Easy: Using a cake mix and instant pudding simplifies the process, saving you time and stress. Baking with a cake mix can offer convenience and consistent results, as detailed by various culinary discussions on the benefits of using a cake mix for busy bakers.
Rich, Intense Chocolate Flavor: Every bite bursts with deep chocolate goodness from the cake and pudding.
Perfect for Any Occasion: This delightful treat is ideal for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or just a sweet weekend dessert.
Customizable with Various Toppings: Get creative with sprinkles, extra chocolate, or fresh fruit to make it your own.
Guaranteed to Satisfy: This moist and flavorful dessert is sure to become a family favorite, curing any chocolate craving.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your amazing chocolate poke cake masterpiece:

One box devil’s food cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box, typically eggs, oil, water)
Two 3.9 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
3 cups milk (cold, divided)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
One 8 ounce tub whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Chocolate syrup and chocolate shavings (optional, for garnish)

Notes & Substitutions

You have flexibility with your chocolate poke cake. Feel free to choose different chocolate cake mix options, such as dark chocolate or fudge cake, for varying flavor depths. While a boxed mix ensures simplicity, you can certainly use your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe if preferred. For an extra rich pudding, use whole milk; skim milk will result in a lighter consistency. If you prefer homemade whipped cream, simply whip 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Consider alternative instant pudding flavors like mint, caramel, or even white chocolate for a delightful twist.

Equipment

Having the right tools makes baking this amazing chocolate poke cake a breeze. You will need:

A 9×13 inch baking pan
Two large mixing bowls and one medium mixing bowl
An electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer is fine)
A whisk for smooth pudding
Measuring cups and spoons
The handle of a wooden spoon or a large straw

Instructions

Creating this delicious chocolate poke cake is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these steps for a perfect, moist dessert every time.

Bake the Cake: Mix and bake your chocolate cake in a 9×13-inch pan according to the box instructions. Once baked, let the cake cool slightly in the pan for about 15-20 minutes.

Poke Holes: Take the handle of a wooden spoon or a large straw and poke holes evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Make sure the holes go almost all the way to the bottom. Set the cake aside.

Prepare Pudding Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together one packet of the instant chocolate pudding mix and 2 cups of cold milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.

Fill the Cake: Once the pudding is thickened, spoon it carefully over the poked cake. Ensure the creamy pudding mixture fills all the holes completely. Place the cake in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. This allows the pudding to set properly within the cake.

Make Whipped Topping: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the other box of instant chocolate pudding mix, the powdered sugar, and the remaining 1 cup of milk. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.

Assemble Cake: Spread the delightful whipped topping mixture evenly over the chilled chocolate poke cake. Cover the entire surface, ensuring a smooth and fluffy layer.

Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow everything to set beautifully. For the very best results, let it chill overnight. Top the cake with chocolate syrup and chocolate shavings, if desired, and serve!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect chocolate poke cake is simple with a few helpful hints.

Perfect Holes: Use the rounded end of a wooden spoon handle or a large straw for consistently sized holes. Make sure they go deep enough, almost to the bottom, to allow the pudding to thoroughly soak through.
Chill Time is Key: Do not rush the chilling process. Sufficient refrigeration allows the pudding to set fully into the cake and the topping to firm up, ensuring clean slices and a delightful texture.
Preventing a Dry Cake: Always follow the cake mix instructions precisely. Avoid overbaking, as this is the primary cause of a dry cake. The pudding layer also adds incredible moisture, keeping your chocolate poke cake tender.
Smooth Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the whipped topping to prevent deflating it. Overmixing can make the topping runny, so stop as soon as it’s smooth and combined.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Your chocolate poke cake is incredibly versatile! For serving, consider pairing a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, extra chocolate syrup, fresh berries, or a hot cup of coffee. To store, keep any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This cake is best enjoyed chilled, so it’s excellent to make ahead. You can easily prepare the entire cake the day before your event, allowing it to chill overnight for optimal flavor and texture. For optimal freshness and food safety, it’s recommended to store desserts with whipped topping in an airtight container in the refrigerator, as discussed in food safety guidelines for dairy-based desserts.

Explore delicious variations for your chocolate poke cake:

Turtle Poke Cake: Swirl in caramel sauce and sprinkle with chopped pecans after applying the whipped topping.
Mint Chocolate Poke Cake: Use instant mint chocolate pudding for the filling and garnish with crushed mint candies.
Strawberry Chocolate: Substitute the chocolate pudding filling with strawberry instant pudding and top with fresh sliced strawberries.

Nutrition

Please remember that these nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used. This information is intended for general guidance only.

Component	Amount (per serving)
Calories	350-400 kcal
Total Fat	15-20g
Saturated Fat	5-8g
Cholesterol	20-30mg
Sodium	300-400mg
Carbohydrates	50-60g
Sugars	35-45g
Protein	4-6g

FAQ

Can I use homemade chocolate cake? Yes, absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite 9×13-inch homemade chocolate cake recipe instead of a box mix. Ensure it’s fully cooled before poking holes.

What kind of milk should I use? Cold milk is essential for instant pudding to set properly. You can use any fat percentage, from skim to whole milk, depending on your desired richness and dietary preferences.

Can I freeze chocolate poke cake? While possible, freezing this cake might affect the texture of the pudding and whipped topping upon thawing. For best results, enjoy it fresh from the refrigerator within a few days.

How do I prevent the cake from drying out? The pudding filling is key to keeping this chocolate poke cake incredibly moist. Ensure you don’t overbake the cake and let the pudding thoroughly soak into all the poked holes.

Conclusion

This incredible chocolate poke cake is truly a dessert that has it all: rich flavor, moist texture, and an impressive appearance, all wrapped up in an incredibly easy recipe. It’s perfect for impressing guests or simply treating your family to something special. So go ahead, whip up this delightful dessert and watch it disappear. We’d love to hear how your chocolate poke cake turns out in the comments below! Happy baking!

Decadent chocolate poke cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and shavings on a white plate.

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