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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Death by Chocolate Poke Cake

    Published: Nov 12, 2022 by Linda Warren

    Death by Chocolate Poke Cake

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    When you're really craving chocolate, you've got to make this death by chocolate poke cake! It's a moist, rich chocolate cake filled with white chocolate cream and topped with creamy chocolate whipped cream. Top it with chocolate chips and just WOW!

    Slice of death by chocolate poke cake in front of baked cake.

    Table of Contents

    • Best Cake for Chocolate Lovers
    • What is a Poke Cake?
    • Why This is the Best Death By Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make a Poke Cake
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Store Poke Cake
    • More Chocolate Desserts

    Best Cake for Chocolate Lovers

    Sure, anyone can make a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. But this is the ultimate chocolate poke cake. And you won't believe how easy it is to make. Every single bite is oozing with rich chocolate flavors. From the rich chocolate base to the velvety filling and crunchy chocolate chips, you won't forget your first bite.

    What is a Poke Cake?

    A poke cake is a regular cake, usually made in a sheet pan, that you poke holes in and then fill with anything ranging from pudding to jello, chocolate to cream. You allow it to seep into the holes and then frost the cake as usual.

    Extreme closeup of slice on plate.

    This seemed like a pretty clever way to flavor a cake, I mean I've made Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with liqueur, Lava Cake with liquid chocolate, and Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling, but this seemed pretty cool to me.

    Why This is the Best Death By Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

    Four layers of chocolate make this the ultimate chocolate poke cake for chocolate lovers

    Baking made simple by starting with a boxed cake mix

    The super-rich white chocolate filling is easy to pull together with the addition of sweetened condensed milk

    The frosting is light and airy instead of dense with the help of Cool Whip.

    This Death by Chocolate Poke Cake goes the extra mile with a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips for even more chocolate flavor!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for chocolate poke cake.

    Chocolate cake:

    • Devil's food cake mix - or your favorite chocolate flavor
    • Ingredients listed on the box for preparing the cake. It's usually oil, eggs, and water.

    White chocolate filling:

    • Sweetened condensed milk
    • White chocolate chips or a white chocolate bar, chopped
    • Milk

    Chocolate whipped cream frosting:

    • Cool Whip or other whipped topping such as stabilized whipped cream
    • Dark chocolate bar, 70% to 85% cacao

    Topping:

    • Mini chocolate chips (see other options under variations)

    How to Make a Poke Cake

    Baking cake steps and poking holes.
    1. Mix cake mix with the ingredients called for on the box.
    2. Stir to combine.
    3. Pour into a 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan. Bake as directed.
    4. Remove from oven let cool then poke holes into cake using the back of a wooden spoon or a wooden dowel.
    Making white chocolate cream and filling holes.
    1. Place white chocolate chips and condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Stir in milk.
    2. Using a spoon or placing the melted chocolate in a pitcher, immediately pour the white chocolate into the poked holes. Don't worry if any gets on top of the cake, it's all good! Let it cool prior to frosting.
    Finishing steps to frost cake.
    1. Melt chocolate by microwaving it in a microwave-safe dish in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Fold into Cool Whip.
    2. Mix well.
    3. Place frosting on top of cake.
    4. Spread over the entire cake and smooth top.
    Finished poke cake with chocolate chips on top.
    1. Finish by sprinkling mini chocolate chips all over the top of the cake. Don't you just want to dig in right now?!
    Closeup lifting slice out of pan.

    When you are ready to serve this triple chocolate poke cake (or is it quadruple chocolate?), cut it into squares and lift it out with a wide spatula.

    Taking a bite out of cake.

    Now take a bite and indulge that chocolate craving. Once you bake this chocolate poke cake you'll find it is one of the simplest desserts to make yet elegant enough to serve to company. Mix it up with different cake mixes and fillings until you hit on your favorite. Enjoy!

    Recipe Variations

    • Cake Mix: Any type of chocolate cake mix can be used for this recipe. Regular chocolate, German chocolate, triple chocolate, and chocolate fudge are all great for poke cake. Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, and Pillsbury brands are great choices.
    • Flavors: Add a little peppermint extract to the cake and frosting for a minty flavor. Likewise with cinnamon for a touch of spice.
    • Filling: Substitute the white chocolate filling with caramel sauce or dulce de leche.
    • Toppings: You can garnish your cake with any toppings you like including chocolate chips, shavings, candy, cookies, ganache, or sprinkles. Drizzle with caramel sauce or chocolate sauce.

    How to Store Poke Cake

    Store poke cake covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Freeze poke cake in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

    More Chocolate Desserts

    • Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling and chocolate cream cheese frosting.
    • Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with white chocolate glaze.
    • Chocolate Pound Cake with a rich chocolate glaze.
    • German Chocolate Cupcakes from Of Batter & Dough
    • Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.

    Find lots of delicious and easy dessert recipes here on 2CM!

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    Chocolate poke cake slice on plate.

    Chocolate Poke Cake

    A rich devils food cake filled with white chocolate & topped with chocolate whipped cream. A quick & easy dessert that's perfect for any chocolate lover.
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    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Chill Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
    Servings: 12 -16 servings
    Calories: 543kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 boxed devil's food cake mix (I used Pillsbury Moist Supreme)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil (or as called for on box)
    • 3 eggs (or as called for on box)

    Cream for filling

    • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 cup white chocolate chips
    • ¼ cup milk

    Frosting

    • 1 container Cool Whip
    • 4 oz dark chocolate
    • 1 bag mini chocolate chips,chocolate shavings or colored sprinkles (optional)

    Instructions

    • Bake cake as directed on package for a 9x13-inch pan.
    • Let cool for 5 minutes then poke holes over entire cake, spacing about 1" apart, using the back of a wooden spoon.
    • Place condensed milk and white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring in-between, until chocolate has melted. Whisk in milk.
    • Pour immediately onto cake, making sure holes are filled. Let cake cool.
    • Once cool, place in refrigerator for about 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator and make frosting.
    • To make frosting, melt dark chocolate in microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring in-between, until chocolate has melted. Stir into Cool Whip. Frost cake then cover with mini chocolate chips or sprinkle with chocolate shavings or colored sprinkles.
    • Store in refrigerator.

    Notes

    RECIPE VARIATIONS
    • Cake Mix: Any type of chocolate cake mix can be used for this recipe. Regular chocolate, German chocolate, triple chocolate, and chocolate fudge are all great for poke cake. Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, and Pillsbury brands are great choices.
    • Flavors: Add a little peppermint extract to the cake and frosting for a minty flavor. Likewise with cinnamon for a touch of spice.
    • Filling: Substitute the white chocolate filling with caramel sauce or dulce de leche.
    • Toppings: You can garnish your cake with any toppings you like including chocolate chips, shavings, candy, cookies, ganache, or sprinkles. Drizzle with caramel sauce or chocolate sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 3mg

    This post has been updated with new photos and step-by-step directions. It was first published on May 29, 2016.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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