Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite dessert: chocolate poke cake! This cake is like a dream come true for chocolate lovers. Imagine biting into a rich, moist chocolate cake that’s bursting with delicious chocolate pudding in every forkful. Seriously, it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise! The best part? It’s so easy to make, and the results are always impressive. I love how the pudding seeps into the holes you poke, creating a luscious, gooey texture that just melts in your mouth. Whether I’m making it for a family gathering or just because I need a chocolate fix, this cake never disappoints. Trust me, once you’ve tried this chocolate poke cake, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients List
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 box chocolate cake mix: This is the base of your cake, giving it that rich chocolatey flavor.
- 1 cup water: Just regular water helps to bring everything together.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: This adds moisture and keeps the cake nice and tender.
- 3 large eggs: Eggs help bind everything, giving the cake structure and richness.
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix: This is the secret to that creamy, chocolatey goodness that fills the cake.
- 2 cups milk: You’ll mix this with your pudding to create that luscious filling.
- 1 cup whipped topping: This is for the finishing touch, adding a light and fluffy layer on top.
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips: These are optional but highly recommended for that extra chocolaty goodness on top!
How to Prepare Chocolate Poke Cake
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty and dive into making this chocolate poke cake! It’s super straightforward, and I promise you’ll be rewarded with a dessert that’s sure to impress. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious cake in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is key to ensure your cake bakes evenly and comes out perfectly fluffy.
- Next, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and grease it well. I like to sprinkle a bit of flour on top to make sure the cake doesn’t stick. You want it to slide out easily!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix everything together until you have a smooth batter. Seriously, the smell of this mixture is heavenly!
- Now, pour that luscious batter into your prepared pan and pop it into the oven. Bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Yum!
- Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This is where the magic begins!
- Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake. Don’t be shy—this is where the pudding will seep in and create that gooey goodness!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and the milk until it thickens up. This is the secret weapon for your poke cake!
- Pour the pudding over the cake, making sure to fill all those lovely holes. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Finally, top it off with whipped topping and sprinkle with chocolate chips just before serving. Trust me, this last step takes it over the top!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this indulgent dessert in no time!
- Irresistibly moist: The pudding filling creates a super moist and rich cake that melts in your mouth.
- Perfect for gatherings: It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress at any party or family get-together.
- Customizable: You can easily switch up the pudding flavors or toppings to make it your own!
- Make-ahead friendly: Just chill it in the fridge, and it’s ready when you are—perfect for busy days!
Tips for Success
To ensure your chocolate poke cake turns out perfectly every time, here are some of my favorite tips! First, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. This helps everything blend together beautifully and creates that tender texture we all love. When you poke the holes, don’t be afraid to go deep—this allows the pudding to truly soak in and gives you that fantastic gooeyness!
Also, if you want to take this cake to the next level, consider using chocolate ganache as a topping instead of whipped topping. Just melt some chocolate with heavy cream, let it cool slightly, and pour it over for an extra rich finish. And remember, chilling the cake for at least 2 hours is a must—it really lets all those flavors meld together. Trust me, patience is key here!
Variations
If you’re looking to shake things up with your chocolate poke cake, there are so many fun and delicious variations to try! First off, how about swapping out the instant chocolate pudding for vanilla pudding? It creates a lovely contrast and still tastes amazing! You could even go wild and use butterscotch or caramel pudding for an unexpected twist.
Feeling adventurous? Top your cake with crushed Oreos or peanut butter cups instead of chocolate chips for a fun crunch. You could also drizzle some caramel sauce over the whipped topping for an extra layer of sweetness. And if you’re a fan of mint, a few drops of peppermint extract in the pudding will give your cake a fresh, festive flair. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make this chocolate poke cake truly your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your chocolate poke cake is super simple! Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container, and pop it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days, but trust me, it rarely lasts that long in my house!
If you find yourself with leftovers and want to enjoy them later, you don’t need to reheat the cake—just serve it chilled. However, if you prefer it warm, you can microwave a slice for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that soft, gooey goodness. Enjoy every bite!
Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so this information is just a guideline. A typical serving of chocolate poke cake (1 slice) contains approximately 320 calories, 15g of fat, 4g of protein, and 45g of carbohydrates. You’ll also find about 25g of sugar and 300mg of sodium per serving. For those who are counting, it’s always a good idea to check the labels of your ingredients to get a more accurate picture. Enjoy your delicious treat, but remember that moderation is key!
FAQ Section
Can I make chocolate poke cake a day ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
What type of pudding can I use?
You can use any flavor of instant pudding you like! While chocolate is a classic choice, vanilla, butterscotch, or even cookies and cream work beautifully as well.
How should I serve chocolate poke cake?
This cake is best served chilled, topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. It’s perfect for parties, but you can enjoy it any time!
Can I freeze chocolate poke cake?
Technically, you can freeze it, but I recommend freezing only the cake without the pudding and toppings. Wrap it tightly and it should be good for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before adding your pudding and toppings!
Why is my cake sinking in the middle?
If your cake sinks, it could be due to underbaking or overmixing the batter. Make sure to bake until a toothpick comes out clean and mix just until combined for that perfect rise!
Chocolate Poke Cake: 7 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love
- Temps Total: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Rendement: 12 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A rich and moist chocolate cake with holes filled with chocolate pudding.
Ingrédients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, water, oil, and eggs until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes.
- Using a fork, poke holes all over the cake.
- In another bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk until thick.
- Pour the pudding over the cake, filling the holes.
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Top with whipped topping and chocolate chips before serving.
Notes
- For extra chocolate flavor, use chocolate ganache as a topping.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- You can substitute vanilla pudding for a different flavor.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 35 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sucre: 25g
- De Sodium: 300mg
- La graisse: 15g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 8g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 45g
- La fibre: 2g
- La protéine: 4g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 50mg
Mots-clés: chocolate poke cake
