Chocolate Poke Cake is quadruple chocolate treat-rich chocolate cake infused with delicious mixture of melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, topped with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate chips. If you are chocolate lover, check this decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake, too!
Although all of us food bloggers are gasping for air watching the fantastic photos of decadent layered cakes, sometimes it is really necessary to have such a cake on your table in a very short time. If you have ever been in a situation like that, there is no better solution then a quick, but a very delicious poke cake. Your guests will enjoy the slices of the cake, and you won’t have to spend hours and hours in the kitchen.
And so, you may think that I’m a master in making poke cakes because I’m telling you all this, but the truth is that I just recently came to the conclusion that from about 100 recipes on my blog, none of them are for this very popular cake. The reason is not because I’m not used to making poke cake, but because I often make it for guests at the last minute and they eat it almost to the last piece, so there is rarely anything to take a picture of and post on the blog 🙂
Since the decision of what to bake is made, the only thing left is to choose a taste, since you can make poke cake with any flavor you want. But, as it should be with a blog that has the word “chocolate desserts” in it’s name, then it was a “no brainer” to make the first cake of this kind a Chocolate Poke Cake.
Maybe you are expecting a big story now, but everything about poke cake is so simple that after a few sentences, you will already be able to begin baking! As a cake base, there is the moist chocolate cake, poked, filled with chocolate and sweetened condensed milk filling. Since the cake I’m making today is extremely chocolaty, the whipped cream is mixed with cocoa,too and for the complete chocolate enjoyment, in the end, there are chocolate chips, and many of them.
Maybe you will think that I have gone too far with them, but the chocolate chips do not just complete the taste of the cake, but they also give a great crunchy texture to the moist, creamy cake.
And what else to say? No sooner than clapping your hands, there is the Chocolate Poke Cake smiling from the table and if you ever thought that a quick cake can’t be delicious, one bite will change your opinion. But, caution! If you are a food blogger, first take photos, then eat 🙂
Are you real chocoholic?! Then you must try these adorable chocolate cake recipes:
One of the most decadent chocolate cake recipes ever – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Oreo Cheesecake Chocolate Cake, so decadent chocolate cake recipe. Oreo cheesecake sandwiched between two layers of soft, rich and fudgy chocolate cake.
If you are a real chocoholic, love cheesecake and are an Oreo addict, already know about this Reese’s Cheesecake, then there is only one solution for you, the decadent Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust.
Chocolate Poke Cake
Prep Time: 30- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 60
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: baking
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Chocolate Poke Cake is a quadruple chocolate treat-rich chocolate cake infused with a delicious mixture of melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, topped with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate chips.
Ingredients
For Chocolate Cake:
- 1 and 3/4 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup brewed coffee (or 1 cup boiling water if you don’t like coffee in the cake)
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Chocolate Filling:
- 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt).
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, add coffee (or boiling water) and mix to combine (the batter will look runny). Pour it into the baking dish and smooth the top. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, (until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean). If the cake rises too much in the center and cracks, you can press it gently with your palms, when it’s slightly cooled to smooth the top.
- With a wooden spoon poke holes all over the top of the cake and set aside.
- Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, bring sweetened condensed milk to a boil and pour it over chocolate chips. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cake and spread to fill in holes.
- Set aside to cool (about an hour) then refrigerate until completely cooled.
- To make the topping, mix heavy cream until soft peaks form, add powdered sugar, cocoa, and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until stiff peaks form. Spread it onto cooled cake and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Store in the fridge.
Notes
Filling and topping recipe adapted from: www.lifeloveandsugar.com
150 comments
Is this made with all purpose flour?
Yes, it is:)
Why give it 3 stars if you haven’t even tried it? Looks delicious to me!
I HAVE to make this for my husband! I just know he’s going to love it!!
Can cake flour be used?
Do you let the cool at all before you poke the holes in it and pour the chocolate on it?
Hi Jodi,let it cool while you make the filling.
Love quick and easy desserts for those busy days. This poke cake looks so decadent and delicious!
Thanks Kelly 🙂
This is my most requested dessert. Anyone who has tried it has asked me to make it again! I use special dark cocoa and dark chocolate chips- a little less sweet, a little more chocolatey. Thank you for this delicious recipe!
Thanks Kathy!
On the whipped cream topping, you add cocoa. Is that something different then the unsweetened cocoa powdered?
Hi Hazel,it’s the same thing
Can you use a box cake to make this as well?
Yes you can use box cake mix, Heather 🙂
I am so glad to see that you make the cake from scratch vs cake mix. I am trying to get away from processed foods. Am going to try this for our next family Sunday supper for dessert.
Made this day before yesterday and turned out great! I would recommend reheating the condensed milk/chocolate mixture in microwave after mixing to liquify more since it cools quickly and thickens making difficult to spread & prevents mixture from moving into the holes in cake (I used a cup of strong brewed coffee as called for). The cake layer couldn’t be more perfect, very moist and the light whipping cream layer is icing on the cake! Everyone loved it as it is but I’m thinking of adding a bit of coffee flavored power as well to the whipped cream layer to add a hint of coffee.
I found that the chocolate/sweetened condensed milk mixture does not sink down in the poked holes. It sets up like a fudge layer on the cake. Made this twice now with the same results. What am I doing wrong?
I found this to be true as well. I even tried the microwaving tip above. I’m leaving the fudge hardened on top and then will whip up the frosting/topping to dollop on each piece when served.
I spooned the fudge into each hole and then spread the rest on top
You can add a little bit of milk just to thin it out a little to pour easier.
Do you taste the coffee in the cake? I have heard of adding coffee to chocolate cake to intensify the chocolate flavor but I don’t really want to taste the coffee. Please comment.
Thanks!
Hi Liz, it shouldn’t taste, but to be sure that it won’t taste, don’t make strong coffee, or just skip it.
It doesn’t taste like coffee but it really does make a difference in how chocolatey the chocolate tastes all my chocolate cakes I use strong brewed coffee I never taste the coffee but the chocolate taste so much better this cake looks great going to make it tonight cake wait!!
The coffee bri gs out the chocolate flavor and in my opinion is a must whenever I make any chocolate cake or brownies. I hope you try it, its worth it!!
I am so glad i read the comments before making the whipped topping, i was going to use sweetened cocoa! Cake is in the oven ill post when its all done! Looks so yummy!!
Thanks for stopping by:) Let me know do you like the cake.
I have been making the cake for years now and everyone loves it . But have never tried the poke part or the topping until today. I did put instant coffee in the topping and it turned out great. Thank you for the recipe.
This poke cake really look so smooth , tasty and well dressed i would like to try this recipe and make my family tempting ??.
Made this recipe for my sister-in-laws birthday and it was a huge hit! Easy to make and tasted great! Only thing I would add is that you really need to watch your sweetened condensed milk closely while it boils to make sure it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Love the recipe and will make it again.
[…] Source recipe: Chocolate Poke Cake by OMG Chocolate Desserts […]
So disappointed to see you use God’s name like this. It is disrespectful and offends me. I won’t use your site or recipes because of this.
What a pretentious twit. It’s “holier than thou” people like this who drive others away from religion. This is a recipe site not a bible study.
Have you read the name of the site? “Oh My GOODNESS” ???????
This cake is THE BOMB. I’m not a baker and it was SO EASY and unbelievably delicious. This will be my “signature” cake for years to come! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thanks Jennifer! I’m so happy to hear that!
I think this recipe might work better if you put the chocolate (chips and condensed milk mixture) on while the cake is hot. The chocolate layer seems really thick. Not sure if I did it right. I might have to skip putting on the whipped cream layer. This cake is going to be very rich. I may try to put the whipped cream layer on but not make it chocolate whipped cream.
How much instant coffee do you use to put in the whipped cream topping. I can’t wait to try it!
there’s no coffee in the topping! did you read well the recipe?
when you say boiling water is that left to cool down?or do i put it in hot thank you inadvance
Hi Bella, don’t cool it down,use hot water.
[…] Get the recipe here. […]
[…] Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe courtesy Omgchocolatedesserts […]
How do I boil the condensed milk without it burning on the bottom? I’ve ruined 2 cans already! 🙁 I’m not the best cook though! Thanks!!!
Boil it in the microwave…about 2.5-3 mins.
You need to do it on a med or med high heat on the stove and stir constantly….or it will burn.
I’m not a big baker but I used the double boiler system and poured across my holes really fast, then went back and touched up my cake edges:) Worked like a charm!
Made this today and LOVED it!! I made plain whip cream for the toping and LOVED it. The plain cream topping helped almost act like a glass of milk! Will definitely make this again!
Can this be done with cupcakes?
Hi Jackie, I haven’t tried but I think it will work.
I made cupcakes several times with this recipe they are a hit! A little shorter on the bake time though.
I made this yesterday and used a boxed cake mix. I substituted coffee for the water called for and it was wonderful. I will definitely be making this cake again, my family LOVED it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
my daughter and I made this for the first time yesterday and it was great. However, my chocolate filling was too thick Not gooey looking like in the picture. Any suggestions?
Made this the other night for a company dinner party. Microwaved the milk in 30 second increments then added Ghiradelli chips. Melted smoothly. Tried to be line up all the pokes nice and neatly – DON’T DO THAT! Just keep on poking holes all over that cake – I mean all over! It was amazing – very moist, very chocolaty and looks beautiful!
planning to make this cake for a birthday party. is it okay to substitute evaporated milk (unsweetened) for the condensed?
Hi Judith, I haven’t tried that, but sweetened condensed milk is so much thicker than evaporated milk.
hi vera – thanks for getting back to me. i had to make the cake before i saw your reply. since i decided to increase the amounts, i bought condensed milk to make up the difference and the result of combining the condensed and evaporated was. great – it was creamy and thick enough and, best of all, not as sweet as condensed milk alone. the cake will be eaten this afternoon and i will let you know how it came out.
hi again vera – you’ll be happy to hear that the cake was a smashing success. everyone loved it. i was disappointed that the condensed milk and chocolate mixture didn’t show when the cake was cut – not sure why. perhaps the combination of condensed and evaporated was not thick enough and got absorbed or the color was too dark and didn’t show up against the chocolate cake. any ideas? for the record, i folded whipped banana into the whipped cream and it was really tasty.
all in all – very successful. thank you.
You never respind to anyine who has issues with the filling.. Why?
How close together do you poke the holes?
Hi Leslie,less than inch apart.
I’ve never heard of using a wooden spoon to poke holes. Are you talking about the other end so that the holes are a little bigger than fork pokes (which I’ve used for other poke cakes but not with a filling this thick). I’ve used Khalua liquor in place of the coffee (I’m not a coffee drinker) in other cakes and did like the mild flavor. Any suggestions for other flavors either for the filling or whipped topping?
Hi Patty, yes you should make poke the cake with the other end of wooden spoon.About the other flavors you can use what ever you like, white chocolate, caramel…
I made the topping and whipped it with an electric beater, and after adding the icing sugar, cocoa and vanilla beat it more, and the ingredients
went watering, no peaks! What did I do wrong?
Hi Denise, I’m sorry to hear that, but I don’t know what went wrong.
Beat it too long.
Can i make it the night before to bring to workk
Hi Christine, you can store it in the fridge for couple of days
This is the best home made chocolate cake i ever ate. My family love this so much. Delicious delicious yummy. Thanx for the recipe
Thanks Neetu, I’m so HAPPY your family like it 🙂
I found this recipe other day while was searching pintrest and I’m so excited to make it.. sounds very simple to make and looks delicious. .
Hi Vera,
The Chocolate Poke cake looks absolutely delicious! I know that coffee enhances the task of chocolate but I don’t like coffee. Can you taste the coffee in this cake?
Hi Denise, you don’t have to use coffee, it will have rich chocolate flavor without the coffee.If you don’t like coffee in cakes, you’ll probably taste it.
did it a few times already and it was always a big hit! very easy to make, and so delicious. i usually put it in a freezer after i fill the holes with choc chips and milk so it turns out to be very chocolatey and ice creamey!
I am planning on making this cake for a coworker. It is her birthday but I will be making it the nigh before I go into work. If I leave the cake in the refrigerator over night will the cake be soggy by the time I bring it into work?
Hi Katrina, it won’t be soggy.
13/4 cups?
Hi Luke, it’s 1 and 3/4 cups
Could you layer this cake? Two rounds stacked and still get the same texture z s flavour
I think I would use chocolate jimmies or shavings instead of mini chocolate chips on top … I appreciate the addition of a crunch, but not everyone loves the taste of “raw” chips ….
Hi Michelle, it sounds great.I hope everyone will like the cake. Happy baking 🙂
Hi Vera, can I use boxed devil’s food cake? If so does it have to be a certain size box cake? TY
Hi Patricia, boxed cake mix will work, too.
Just a quick not to thank you! I was searching for desserts for my family and I ran across your site. I couldn’t have been happier to find you! I grew up in the south and my Grandma and I always used to make poke cakes and I had completely forgotten about them. The men in my family have more of a sweet tooth than the women, if you can believe that, so I’m going to make the chocolate poke cake today. Thanks again so much for bringing back some beautiful memories to me! Have a fantastic New Year!
Thanks Heather:)
Have a great year,too 🙂
Hi when I made this cake, it was delicious and came out great. The for the recipe!!!!!!!?✋?????????
Thanks Cody 🙂
[…] CHOCOLATE POKE CAKE […]
Amazing. My mom wanted something chocolate for mother’s day and found this receipe. Happened to have all the ingredients so I decided to give it a try. Needless to say, she loved – and so did the rest of the family! Will definately do this one again. Thanks!
Thanks Melissa, I’m happy to hear that 🙂
HERES THE SECRET TO GETTING THE FILLING TO OOZ INTO THE POKED HOLES! Get a microwave safe bowl, (I used a plastic Betty Crocker bowl I bought from Dollar Tree.) and COMBINE both the condensed milk and the semi sweet chips in the bowl and throw that into your microwave at full power for 2 min.. maybe 2 min and 15 seconds. I discovered this by accident… and what a discovery it was! When I pulled it out, it was really fluffed up and I just stirred it quickly and it was just right to pour over the top of the cake. Don’t wait too long!! IT DOES THICKEN QUICKLY!
I used 4 cups flour because the recipe shows 13/4 cupsflour and i assumed the 13 was a type error. Super dry.
I’m really sorry Jeri, but it’s 1 and 3/4 cup flour.
I made this for our Christmas dinner yesterday. It was a hit! It was my first time making it so it took a bit longer than expected, but next time it will be pretty easy! Everyone loved it! I loved it! I think I’m going to try adding some instant coffee in the icing next time! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks Jewels 🙂 Coffee sounds good!
Where is the cup of coffee added, it’s in the ingredients list but not the instructions.
Hi Jewels,
Did You make this cake again, if so, how much instant coffee did you add to the icing?
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Great dessert. I used 1/2 cup coffee and 1/2 cup kahlua. Yummy!
Thanks Jami 🙂
This is perhaps the BEST cake I have ever made! I was concerned about the thickness of the condensed milk & chocolate chip mixture as well. But, it didn’t seem to be a problem in the final product. OMG, this is OMG good!
Thanks Patsy 🙂
I’m just glad you didn’t try to call that chocolate whipped cream chocolate mousse! Recipe looks great I’m gonna have to try it. Was just thinking for fun and awesomeness it could be worth a try combining this recipe with better than sex cake.
Maybe something like:
Chocolate cake / poke holes / condensed milk and chocolate mixture / salted caramel sauce (maybe around half of what you’d normally add to better than sex cake + the salt to help balance all the sweetness)
/ Chocolate whipped cream layer / Cool whip layer / Maybe top with some crushed Heath bar, chocolate curls, chocolate syrup or the salted caramel sauce.
Might have to cut down amount of the chocolate whipped cream and cool whip layers just a little bit to make room for both if your dish isn’t very tall. Anyways, this recipe made me think of the idea so thought I’d share it in the comments. Def will tell if I try it. Thanks so much!
This was the first thing I’ve ever baked, and it turned out fantastic. I used Godiva cocoa for the whipped topping and hiiiighly recommend it for chocolate freaks.
Thanks Jessica 🙂
Could you put mint flavor in whipped topping? Or could you put Heath bits on top instead of chocolate chips? Just seems like a lot of chocolate and I don’t plan to use coffee as I cannot stand coffee smell or flavor but rest of cake sounds wonderful.
Hi Emily, of course, you could use mint and Heat bits if you like that flavor combo.
Great cake
Thanks Emily 🙂
[…] Chocolate Poke Cake – Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts […]
This cake is amazing. It is perfect every time I make it and always a crowd pleaser.
Thanks Katie 🙂
Made this today for Mother’s day and it was a hit!
Note: after reading about the struggles people had with the filling, I decided to add the morsels to the milk in the pan….and kept the heat under them while I mixed them together. This seemed to work out great and every poked hole was full of delicious hot fudge!
[…] 10. Chocolate Poke Cake Poke cakes are the best kinds of cakes because they’re so moist. This recipe from OMG Chocolate Desserts is to die for! […]
It’s in the oven but I am concerned about the consistency. I reread the instructions and found where to add the coffee so I did that. The batter was like water! No need to ‘smooth’ the top. I checked the dry measures and I did it all exact. But there is a lot of liquid. 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup coffee. I’m scared! I hope it comes out right, it’s very expensive to make and I hope I don’t have to throw it away.
Hi….
I have a quick question for you. Can I cover a poke cake with fondant??? I am planning to make it for a birthday party.
Awaiting your reply!!!
Thank you
Hi Kiran, sorry, I think it’s not good idea.
Amazing dessert! My family loved it! I ended up using Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder for the topping, yum!
I’m making this right now for the second time, absolutely love it’s so delicious! Although I completely forgot to add the boiling water and had to rescue it from the oven ?.
I add a little touch of milk to the chocolate and condensed milk filling to keep it a bit more liquid and pourable, works a treat ?
Thanks Tracy :-)!!!
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Hi Vera, thanks for posting such a delicious sounding cake and thanks too for the microwave condensed milk tips from other posters. I’m in the UK and we don’t have All Pupose Flour here, so hopefully our plain flour will work. Planning to make this cake tomorrow for a family party and looking forward to it!
I made this cake yesterday. It came perfectly well and delicious. Everyone loved it. Thank you very much!
[…] Chocolate Poke Cake is quadruple chocolate treat-rich chocolate cake infused with delicious mixture of melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, topped with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate chips. […]
This was amazing and will make again… but there is one thing I will do different nest time and that is to use chocolate shavings… the chocolate chips where too much for us… I used instant coffee and wow it truely enhances the flavour amazingly.. thank you for sharing this recipie.
Thanks Pam 🙂
[…] From: OMGChocolateDesserts […]
Can you use cool whip and still add in the cocoa powder? Or do you have to use real whipping cream and whip it? Most other poke cakes use cool whip.
Hi Beverly you can add sifted cocoa powder to Cool whip.
Can you make this the day before, or will it be soggy? Should I wait till the day of to put whipped topping on cake?
You can make it a day ahead, it will be fine.
[…] Chocolate Poke Cake […]
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I can’t see the recipe!! Where is it ?
Definitely the best chocolate cake ive had in a long long time. Easy to make and basic ingredients. Love it
My family absolutely loved this!!! I did use the double boiler method for the filling due to it setting up rather quickly. Other than that, didn’t change anything else. It was sinfully delicious!
Thanks Ashley!
[…] Chocolate Poke Cake […]
Has anyone tried this recipe to make cupcakes? Any modifications you would recommend? Thanks!
[…] CHOCOLATE POKE CAKE […]
Hello I made this poke cake a couple days ago I had a big problem boiling the sweetened condensed milk I opened can and poured it into a saucepan and black piece started to come up had to throw it away then bought another can of the milk and looked on YouTube to boil sweetened condensed milk it told me to leave can closed and put in a pot and cook for 3 hours then to wait 10 minutes for it to cool so I waited the 10 minutes and opened the can and all the milk flew to my ceiling cleaned up the mess and bought another can boiled the can waited 2 hours to cool then opened can poured over chips and had to microwave for a minute put on cake and everyone loved it
Would a peanut butter ganache be good vs whipped cream work?
I followed the recipe exactly and ended up with a dense, eggy-like brick. It was awful. ☹️
I love this cake! I have made it for my grandmas birthday and everyone loved it.
However, I have a question! I want to make it in a few days out of 9’ round pans. Is that still gonna work or should I double the recipe? Should I take it out of the pan and turn it upside down and then pour into the cake or should I do it in the pan first and then turn the cake upside down?
Can I make this a few days in advance and freeze it till I need it? I was thinking I’d freeze it, then later put the icing on when I wanted to serve it. Thanks!
Hi. I don’t know if anyone still reads these comments, but I was wondering if I could add heavy cream to the filling to make it more liquidy would take away from the excellence of this cake? I just want iti to be more tres-leches-ish
You could try that.
Not sure why, am an experienced baker, but my cake took forever to bake, at least 50 minutes. Used a 13×9 metal pan, not glass, maybe that made a difference. It looks extremely moist. I’m sure it will taste great. Oh, also used water, not coffee. I don’t drink coffee and didn’t have it.
This is the BEST cake I have ever had in my entire life. And I am a total dessert snob. The coffee really brings out the flavor and it is always a hit. People have offered to pay me to make this cake for them! 10/10!!