This chocolate poke cake is filled with ooey gooey caramel sauce and topped with even more chocolate. This recipe is super easy, quick and a chocolate lovers dream!
More decadent chocolate desserts we love include better than anything cake and chocolate dump cake!
Table of Contents
Chocolate Lovers Rejoice
When it comes to easy cake recipes, this chocolate poke cake is at the top of my list. It’s simple, quick and made with minimal ingredients. Other easy homemade desserts include this dump cake, Texas sheet cake and tres leches cake.
The chocolate and sweetened condensed milk caramel combination is simply irresistible! This death by chocolate poke cake is just that…a fluffy and moist chocolate cake that tastes amazing. No one will ever know you doctored a box of cake mix to make the recipe easier!
Death By Chocolate Poke Cake Ingredients
There are only a few simple ingredients needed to make this delicious recipe. We also love to sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the cake or serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Devil’s food cake: You’ll need 1 box of devil’s food cake mix, plus the ingredients listed on the box.
- Sour cream: This makes the cake lighter and gives it a slight bit of tartness.
- Chocolate chips: I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, but any that you have on hand will work.
- Sweetened condensed milk: I like to use the sweetened condensed milk, however you could use dulce de leche, if preferred.
- Frosting: Dark chocolate pudding mix, milk, Cool Whip, and cocoa powder are turned into a light and airy frosting that is so easy and tastes delicious!
- Chocolate chips I love to top the cake with these or chocolate shavings.
How to Make Chocolate Poke Cake
This cake is so simple to make and is as easy as baking a boxed cake.
- Mix batter then bake. Mix the cake batter according to package directions and stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Bake according to the directions and then remove from oven to cool.
- Poke holes. Using the end of a wooden spoon or butter knife, poke holes all over top of cake.
- Drizzle on condensed milk. Next drizzle the sweetened condensed milk on top. If it’s too thick, warm for about a minute in the microwave. Let soak into holes of cake.
- Make the frosting. Stir together the pudding mix and milk. Let sit 1 minute. Fold in the Cool Whip and cocoa powder.
- Top with frosting. When it’s at room temperature, top with frosting and add chocolate shavings.
- Refrigerate and serve. Chill in refrigerator until serving. Enjoy!
Other Variations
- Chocolate turtle poke cake: Simply use a chocolate buttercream in place of the frosting and then drizzle with caramel sauce and pecans.
- Chocolate pudding filling: Combine one box of Instant chocolate pudding with 2 cups of cold mix and once thickened pour over cake.
- Garnish: Top with chopped chocolate bars, crushed Oreos, crumbled candy bars and drizzle with chocolate sauce or hot fudge.
Recipe FAQs
A poke cake is called that because you poke holes in the cake after baking and then fill the holes with pudding, jello or in the case of this chocolate poke cake sweetened condensed milk. It makes the cake moist, rich and so delicious!
Yes, you can make this recipe the day before. The cake needs to chill in the fridge prior to serving anyways (so that the flavors will meld), so feel free to make it a day in advance. Simply cover with a lid or plastic wrap and store in the fridge until serving.
Of course! I love the homemade version for how light and airy it is in contract to the richness of the cake, but store-bought frosting will work in a pinch.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Make this cake in advance up to a day ahead for special events.
Want even more indulgent chocolate recipes? Try hot chocolate cookies, ultimate fudge frosted brownies, or this flourless chocolate cake recipe.
Chocolate Lovers Dream Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Chocolate Poke Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) box Devil’s food chocolate cake mix , plus ingredients on box
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk , or dulce de leche
Frosting
- 1 (3.5-ounce) box dark chocolate pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1-2 Tablespoons cocoa powder , plus more to taste
- Chocolate shavings , or mini chocolate chips (for topping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, make the cake batter according to package directions. Stir in the sour cream and chocolate chips. Bake the cake according to the package directions. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool slightly. Poke holes all over the top with the end of a spoon or a butter knife.
- Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the cake. If it is too thick, melt in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave 1 minute. Let the topping soak into the holes.
Frosting
- In a medium bowl, stir together the pudding mix and milk. Let sit 1 minute. Fold in the Cool Whip and cocoa powder.
- Once the cake is at room temperature, carefully top with the chocolate frosting. Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the top.
- Chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator before serving. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Turtle Poke Cake: Use a chocolate buttercream in place of the frosting and then drizzle with caramel sauce and pecans.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Cake + Cupcakes, Chocolate, Desserts
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Going to make this cake, but, is the chocolate pudding instant or cook & serve?
Instant pudding mix, enjoy!
Have you ever used coconut condensed milk for this recipe?
It has not been tested with that but let us know how it goes if you try! I think it would work, it will just have a more coconut taste.
this cake is so delicious! it is now a family favorite for all birthday cakes. so easy to make !
Yay! Always love to hear that!
Holy smokes! This may be my new favorite cake recipe. So delicious and full of chocolate flavor!
So moist and the perfect texture! Love, love, love this cake!
This is a must-try cake! I also added some sprinkles to make it look festive, it’s so delightful and pleasing. My new favorite. I would love to have this on my birthday!
So glad you enjoyed the chocolate poke cake!
Thank you for the great recipe s I am going to try all of them .But it will take me forever. Lol love to bake.
How do you make your caramel? Wanting to make this for my son’s 18th birthday today. Looks delicious!
Hi Beth! You can use store bought caramel ice cream topping or homemade. Here is the recipe for my favorite homemade caramel sauce: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/homemade-salted-caramel-sauce/. Hope you enjoy! :)
Thanks. I should’ve been clearer – I meant the sweetened condensed milk caramel. I figured something out. Not quite how it should be but we’ll eat it.
I haven’t used this recipe yet but plan on using it. I love poke cakes and looking for different recipes. It looks wonderful. My favorite combo is chocolate & caramel.
I hope you enjoy! Chocolate and caramel is one of my favorite combos too!!
So delicious!! Thank you for the recipe!!
I love a good poke cake and you can’t beat the flavors of chocolate and caramel together!