Luscious Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe is super easy but so amazing. The rich chocolate flavor combined with the decadent topping make a delicious dessert.

This delicious poke cake recipe is a chocolate lovers dream. Each bite is full of chocolate and more chocolate. Plus, the dessert starts with a cake mix so it is super easy.
You don’t need anything special to make this and the ingredients are really simple. We love chocolate and also make Swiss Roll Cake Recipe, Easy Chocolate Cake, Guinness Cupcakes and S’mores Poke Cake.
You might also like Whoopie Pie Recipe and Chocolate Lasagna Recipe.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
Anyone can whip this up in minutes with very little effort. Each bite of this decadent Chocolate Poke Cake is packed with so much chocolate!
It’s so easy that you will have time to also make Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe and 31 Easy Texas Desserts.
Ingredients
Cake
- Devil’s food chocolate cake mix. Plus the ingredients needed to make the cake. Any brand of cake mix is fine.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk. Try this Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe.
- Chocolate Sauce. You can use store bought chocolate syrup or try Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe.
Topping
- Heavy Whipping Cream. Make sure it is cold.
- Cocoa Powder. Use unsweetened cocoa powder
- Powdered Sugar. You may need to sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- Chopped Chocolate for topping. This looks and tastes great!
Variations and Substitutions
- Cake mix- Try other types. Chocolate, Yellow and white would be delicious with the chocolate icing.
- Topping- Use leftover chocolate candy for the chocolate pieces. Not only will this be tasty but a great way to use leftovers. Some ideas include Hershey Kisses, dark chocolate, chocolate bars, and more. Just shave or cut into pieces. You can also use crushed-up Reese’s Pieces or Reese’s cups for peanut butter fans.
- Caramel– Change things up a bit and add caramel drizzle on top of the cake. Caramel sauce will be delicious with the chocolate sauce. The combination is delicious.
- Peanut Butter topping– If your family loves chocolate and peanut butter, add some of this to the cake. Yum!
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1. First, preheat the oven. While the oven is preheating, make the cake mix according to the box instructions. Use a 9×13 pan and bake in the prepared pan according to instructions.

Step 2. Next, allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Then poke holes all over the cake. Make sure you poke holes all over the cake so all of the liquid can soak into every bit of the cake. I like to use a wooden spoon handle to poke holes.

Step 3. Pour the sweetened condensed milk and part of the chocolate sauce all over the top of the cake. Let this mixture seep into the holes. Then cover and put in the fridge. I like to do this overnight.

Step 4. Make the topping by combining the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat until you start to see stiff peaks form.

Step 5. Finally, spread the chocolate topping all over the cake. Use the remaining chocolate sauce to drizzle on top of the cake. Sprinkle the chopped chocolate and serve!

Storage
If you have leftovers, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to use an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap.
Pro Tips
- This recipe uses a 9×13 baking dish. The ones with the lid are really handy if you are taking this dish somewhere and also to store leftovers.
- Disposable pans – These are so handy if you plan to take this cake to a potluck or cookout. I love using disposable pans for things like this and just tossing when I’m done.
- Buy cake mixes on sale and keep them in the pantry. You will always have what you need and pay a good price too.
- Poke holes all over the cake. This is the key to getting the mixture in every slice of the cake.
- Don’t overmix the whipping cream. Only beat until stiff peaks form.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke the holes. This is the perfect size for the mixture.
More Easy Poke Cake Recipes
- Caramel Chocolate Poke Cake
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe
- Cherry Poke Cake Recipe
- Jello Poke Cake Recipe
- Lemon Poke Cake Recipe
- Cannoli Poke Cake
More Chocolate Cakes
- Copycat Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
- Chocolate bundt cake recipe
- Chocolate Brownie Cake
- Chocolate Icebox Cake
- The Best Poke Cake Recipes
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
Make this fabulous Chocolate Poke Cake today. Then please leave a comment and star recipe rating. It makes my day to hear from you!
Chocolate Poke Cake
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the cake:
- 1 box Devil’s food chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients needed to make cake from the cake mix: eggs oil, water, etc.
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 cup Chocolate Sauce
- Ingredients for the topping:
- 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- Chopped Chocolate for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make cake mix according to package directions and bake in a well-greased 9×13 pan according to package.
- When cake is finished, allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch) intervals using a wooden spoon handle.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk and ¾ of the chocolate sauce over the top of the cake and allow it to seep into the holes that were poked into the cake.
- Cover and refrigerate the cake overnight.
- Place the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and powder sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for 4-5 minutes until stiff peaks form in the mixture and it holds it shape.
- Spread the chocolate topping over the cake. Drizzle the top with the remaining chocolate sauce. Then sprinkle with the chopped chocolate.
- Serve immediately and refrigerate leftovers.
- Enjoy!
My printer is not printing the chocolate poke cake. How can I get a printable recipe for it.
I’m so sorry about that – We’re working to get that issue resolved ASAP! Thank you!
Where/how do you make the chocolate sauce?
I used a store bought chocolate sauce or chocolate syrup for this recipe and it works great. At my local grocery store, these are near the ice cream toppings.
Do you first mix the condensed milk and chocolate sauce together before pouring it on the cake?
No. I do not mix them together. I pour them each over the cake separately.