The Chocolate Poke Cake is a rich and indulgent dessert, perfect for any chocolate lover. This ultra-moist cake is made with a chocolate base and infused with a decadent mixture of sweetened condensed milk and melted chocolate, ensuring every bite is deliciously gooey. It’s then topped with a light and fluffy chocolate whipped cream and finished with a generous sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. Whether you’re serving it at a party, potluck, or for a family treat, this cake is guaranteed to impress with its creamy layers and soft, fudgy texture.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
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1¾ cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups granulated sugar
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¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1½ teaspoons baking soda
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1½ teaspoons baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 large eggs
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1 cup brewed coffee (or boiling water)
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1 cup milk
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½ cup vegetable oil
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Filling:
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1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping:
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2 cups heavy whipping cream
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½ cup powdered sugar
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1½ cups mini chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the coffee (or hot water); the batter will be thin.
Pour into the prepared baking dish.
3. Bake the Cake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
If the cake domes, gently press the center flat with clean hands once slightly cooled.
4. Poke Holes in the Cake
While still warm, poke holes all over the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon. Set aside.
5. Prepare the Chocolate Filling
Heat sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan until just bubbling.
Pour it over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Fill the Cake
Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes.
7. Cool the Cake
Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then chill in the refrigerator until fully set.
8. Make the Whipped Cream Topping
Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form.
9. Top and Garnish
Spread the whipped topping over the chilled cake and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
10. Serve and Store
Slice and serve cold. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Based on 16 slices
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Calories: 450–500 kcal
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Total Fat: 25–30 g
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Saturated Fat: 15–18 g
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Cholesterol: 70–90 mg
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Sodium: 150–200 mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 50–60 g
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Sugars: 35–40 g
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Protein: 5–7 g
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Poke Cake
1. Moist and Fudgy Texture
Thanks to the infusion of chocolate filling into the warm cake, every slice is decadently moist. The cake doesn’t dry out like many others might after a day or two—it actually gets better the longer it sits.
2. Rich Chocolate Flavor
From the cocoa-laden cake base to the velvety chocolate filling and whipped topping, this cake is all about layers of chocolate. It’s the perfect fix for anyone craving deep cocoa satisfaction.
3. Crowd-Pleaser
It serves around 16 people, making it ideal for parties, potlucks, or special occasions. It’s one of those desserts that leaves people asking for the recipe.
4. Easy to Make Ahead
Chocolate Poke Cake tastes best when chilled, which means you can prepare it a day in advance. It saves you time on the day of your event and also allows the flavors to fully develop.
5. Customizable Topping Options
While the chocolate whipped cream and mini chocolate chips are a winning combination, you can easily get creative. Crushed Oreos, chocolate curls, drizzles of caramel or ganache, or even fresh berries make excellent finishing touches.
The Secret Behind the Moistness: The Poke-and-Pour Method
The poke cake method is key to this recipe’s success. By making holes in the warm cake, you create channels for the chocolate filling to settle into. Every bite has that perfect ratio of soft cake to creamy filling. This technique ensures there’s no dry crumb—just rich, satisfying chocolate from top to bottom.
The filling used in this cake—a blend of hot sweetened condensed milk and melted chocolate—brings in a silky, ganache-like layer that permeates through the sponge. It’s the kind of richness that makes each forkful unforgettable.
Best Occasions to Serve Chocolate Poke Cake
This cake is wonderfully versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion:
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Birthdays: A delicious alternative to traditional frosted layer cakes.
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Holidays: Think Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day—it’s a showstopper dessert.
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Potlucks: Easy to transport in its 9×13 dish, and you don’t need fancy plating.
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Family Dinners: Make Sunday dinners extra special with a sweet finish.
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Celebrations: Great for office parties, baby showers, or any moment you want to treat a group.
Because it stays fresh in the refrigerator for several days, you can even enjoy it throughout the week as a little chocolate reward after meals.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Chocolate Poke Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips:
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Use brewed coffee for depth: Adding coffee (instead of just water) enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. It adds richness that amplifies every chocolate note.
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Poke the cake while warm: This is essential. If the cake cools too much before poking, the filling won’t absorb as deeply.
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Don’t overbeat the whipped cream: Beat it just until stiff peaks form. Overwhipping can turn the texture grainy.
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Chill before serving: Letting the cake chill for several hours or overnight gives it time to set. The flavors meld together and the texture improves dramatically.
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Use a heatproof bowl for the filling: When pouring hot sweetened condensed milk over the chocolate chips, be sure the bowl is safe for heat. Stir immediately for a smooth, glossy mixture.
Variations to Try
While the classic version is divine on its own, you can always put your own twist on this cake:
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake: Add a swirl of peanut butter into the filling or sprinkle crushed peanut butter cups on top.
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Salted Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the whipped cream and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
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Cookies and Cream: Fold crushed Oreos into the whipped topping for a crunchy contrast.
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Mint Chocolate: Add peppermint extract to the whipped cream and top with Andes mints or crushed candy canes during the holidays.
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Espresso Infusion: Add a touch of espresso powder to the cake batter for a mocha version.
These small tweaks allow you to tailor the cake to the season or your personal preferences while keeping the luxurious texture intact.
How to Store Chocolate Poke Cake
Storage is simple. Keep the cake covered and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Because of the dairy in the whipped topping and the moist filling, it must stay chilled. The texture actually improves after a day, so it’s an excellent make-ahead dessert.
Freezing isn’t ideal because whipped cream can become watery upon thawing, but if you do want to freeze it, it’s best to do so before adding the whipped topping.
Pairing Suggestions
This cake is rich and satisfying on its own, but here are a few pairing ideas to round out your dessert offering:
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Coffee or Espresso: The bitterness of coffee contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the cake.
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Red Wine: A bold cabernet or merlot can complement the deep chocolate flavor.
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Fresh Berries: Serve with a side of raspberries or strawberries to cut through the richness.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop on the side adds contrast in both flavor and temperature.
Conclusion
The Chocolate Poke Cake isn’t just another chocolate dessert—it’s a celebration of texture and flavor. From the moist crumb to the indulgent chocolate filling and fluffy topping, this cake delivers a deeply satisfying treat that feels both nostalgic and elevated. Its simplicity in preparation combined with its impressive presentation makes it a go-to for any occasion.
Perfectly balanced and crowd-approved, this dessert deserves a permanent place in your recipe collection. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family night or a festive gathering, one thing’s certain: this is the kind of chocolate cake that wins hearts—bite after bite.