Welcome to the ultimate guide for a chocolate poke cake that’s truly irresistible! This dessert is a dream come true, featuring a moist chocolate cake base infused with rich pudding, all crowned with a fluffy whipped topping. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that promises a decadent, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion. Prepare to impress everyone with this fantastic chocolate poke cake.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Poke Cake

This incredible dessert quickly becomes a favorite for many delicious reasons. It’s the perfect sweet escape after a long day!

Pure Chocolate Bliss: A double dose of chocolate from the cake and pudding satisfies every chocolate craving.
Effortlessly Easy: Using a cake mix makes this chocolate poke cake simple for even beginner bakers.
Unbelievably Moist: The pudding filling seeps into the cake, creating an incredibly tender and moist texture.
Celebration Ready: It’s ideal for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or just a sweet weekend treat.
Endless Adaptability: Easily change flavors and toppings to suit any preference or occasion.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your moist and delicious chocolate poke cake. Most items are likely already in your pantry!

One box devil’s food cake mix, plus the ingredients called for on the box (typically oil, eggs, water)
Two 3.9 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
3 cups milk, 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 many options to customize this fantastic dessert. Feel free to experiment!

Cake Mix: While devil’s food is classic, a dark chocolate cake mix or even a German chocolate mix works wonderfully.
Pudding: Swap instant chocolate pudding for cheesecake, white chocolate, or butterscotch for fun variations.
Whipped Topping: For a richer taste, make homemade whipped cream. Just whip heavy cream with a little powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Garnishes: Beyond chocolate, try caramel drizzle, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even fresh berries.

Equipment

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this straightforward recipe. Most of these are kitchen staples.

9×13 inch baking pan
Mixing bowls (one large, two medium)
Whisk
Electric mixer (optional, for convenience)
Wooden spoon handle or a large straw
Spatula or offset spatula

Instructions

Creating this delightful chocolate poke cake is a breeze with these step-by-step instructions. Follow along for perfect results every time!

First, preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box. Prepare your 9×13 inch baking pan by lightly greasing and flouring it, or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Next, follow the package instructions to mix your chocolate cake batter. Combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and water in a large mixing bowl. Beat until the batter is smooth and well-combined, making sure not to overmix. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your baking pan.

According to baking experts, overmixing cake batter can lead to a tough, dense cake due to increased gluten development.

Bake the cake according to the directions on the cake mix box. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on it. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when it’s done. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This slight cooling period is crucial.

Now for the “poke” part! Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large straw to gently poke holes evenly across the entire warm cake. Aim for holes about 1 inch apart and deep enough to reach the bottom.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together one packet of the instant chocolate pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk. Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Don’t worry if it seems a little loose at first.

Immediately spoon the thickened pudding mixture evenly over the warm, poked cake. The pudding will seep into those holes, infusing the cake with incredible moisture and flavor. Gently spread it to cover the entire surface. Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. This allows the pudding to set completely.

While the cake is chilling, prepare the topping. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the second box of instant chocolate pudding mix, the remaining 1 cup of cold milk, and the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Whisk until it thickens.

Carefully fold in the entire tub of thawed whipped topping into the second pudding mixture. Use a spatula to gently combine until no streaks remain. This creates a light and fluffy frosting.

Once the cake is fully chilled, spread this creamy frosting mixture evenly over the top of the cake. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator for at least another hour, or even better, overnight. This final chilling ensures everything sets beautifully and the flavors meld.

Finally, just before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired. Cut into squares and enjoy your spectacular chocolate poke cake!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect chocolate poke cake is simple with a few extra pointers.

Don’t Overmix: Overmixing cake batter develops gluten, resulting in a tougher cake. Mix just until combined.
Warm Cake for Pudding: Pouring pudding over a slightly warm cake helps it seep deeper into the holes, maximizing moisture.
Chill Thoroughly: Allow ample chilling time for both the pudding and the topping. This ensures the cake is firm, easy to slice, and truly decadent.
Homemade Whipped Cream: If making your own, ensure your cream is very cold for the best whipping results. Use a cold bowl and whisk too.
Cover Tightly: Always cover your chocolate poke cake well when storing it to prevent it from drying out and absorbing fridge odors.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile chocolate poke cake is wonderful as is, but it also lends itself to many delicious tweaks.

Serving Suggestions

Enhance your chocolate poke cake experience with these simple ideas.

Drizzle generously with extra chocolate syrup for an intensified chocolate flavor.
Add a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips for added texture and elegance.
Serve each slice with a cold glass of milk, a classic pairing that never disappoints.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage keeps your cake fresh and delicious.

Store any leftover chocolate poke cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Keep the cake in the refrigerator; it will stay fresh and moist for 3-4 days.

Flavor Variations

Get creative with your poke cake! These variations offer exciting new taste experiences.

Turtle Poke Cake: Drizzle caramel sauce over the pudding layer and sprinkle with chopped pecans before adding the whipped topping.
Peanut Butter Poke Cake: Use instant peanut butter pudding instead of chocolate for one of the layers, or swirl in melted peanut butter.
Different Pudding Flavors: Experiment with instant cheesecake, white chocolate, or butterscotch pudding for unique fillings.
Different Cake Mix Flavors: Try a yellow cake mix with vanilla pudding for a classic combination, or a red velvet mix for a festive twist.

Nutrition Information

For those monitoring dietary intake, here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving of this delicious chocolate poke cake.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	205.55 kcal
Carbohydrate Content	23.25 g
Protein Content	2.99 g
Fat Content	11.48 g
Saturated Fat Content	3.97 g
Cholesterol Content	39.59 mg
Sodium Content	257.32 mg
Fiber Content	0.63 g
Sugar Content	18.73 g
Unsaturated Fat Content	6.25 g
Serving Size	1 serving (approx.)

Disclaimer: These are estimated nutritional values and can vary significantly based on specific brands and ingredient choices. Please refer to your recipe card for the most accurate calculations.

FAQ

Got questions about making the best chocolate poke cake? We’ve got answers!

What is a poke cake? A poke cake is a baked cake that has holes poked into its surface, which are then filled with a liquid or semi-liquid ingredient like pudding or sweetened condensed milk, making it extra moist and flavorful.
Do I need to refrigerate poke cake? Yes, refrigeration is essential for poke cakes, especially since they contain pudding and whipped topping. This helps the filling set and keeps the cake fresh.
How long does chocolate poke cake last? When stored properly in the refrigerator, a chocolate poke cake will last for about 3 to 4 days. Always keep it covered tightly.
Can I use homemade cake for this recipe? Absolutely! You can use your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe, just ensure it’s baked in a 9×13 inch pan and allowed to cool slightly before poking.
What can I use to poke holes in the cake? The handle of a wooden spoon is ideal for making larger holes, but a large straw or even the tines of a fork can also work effectively.
Can I use cooked pudding instead of instant? For the filling, instant pudding works best as it sets quickly and firmly. For the frosting, you need instant pudding to fold into the whipped topping.

Conclusion

This incredible chocolate poke cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a revelation in simplicity and decadence. Its moist, pudding-infused layers and creamy topping make it an unforgettable treat for any occasion. It truly showcases how easy it is to create something spectacular with minimal effort. So go ahead, whip up this amazing chocolate poke cake today. We’d love to hear how much you enjoyed it, so please share your experience and rate the recipe!