Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe for Decadent Dessert

Prepare to embark on a delightful chocolate peanut butter poke cake adventure that promises pure indulgence.

Creamy layers of rich chocolate meld perfectly with smooth peanut butter in this irresistible dessert.

Sweet surprises await you in every decadent bite.

Unexpected pockets of flavor will dance across your palate with each forkful.

Nostalgic memories of childhood treats come flooding back through this delectable creation.

Crafting this cake requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Tips That Help You Achieve a Perfect Slice

• Check Cake Consistency: Use a toothpick to test chocolate cake's doneness, ensuring it comes out clean before removing from oven.
• Control Peanut Butter Mixture: Warm peanut butter slightly for smoother pouring and better absorption into cake holes.
• Prevent Soggy Cake: Let cake cool just until warm, not hot, when poking holes to maintain structural integrity.
• Customize Toppings: Swap Reeses with crushed pretzels or nuts for different flavor and texture variations.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free whipped topping for lactose-sensitive diets.

Store Poke Cake Without Losing Moisture

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from absorbing other food odors and drying out.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on a low setting to restore the cake's soft texture and enhance its flavors.
• Let the cake sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop and the texture to soften slightly.

Great Flavors and Drinks to Serve With It

• Serve a cold glass of milk or creamy vanilla almond milk to balance the cake's intense chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the sweetness while refreshing the palate.
• Add a scoop of salted caramel ice cream alongside the cake slice, creating a decadent flavor explosion that enhances the dessert's richness and provides a cool, creamy texture contrast.
• Choose a bold espresso or dark roast coffee with hints of chocolate or nutty undertones to amplify the cake's deep flavor profile, making each bite more complex and satisfying.
• Sprinkle toasted chopped almonds or pecans around the plate, adding a crunchy textural element that complements the cake's smooth peanut butter and whipped topping layers.

Different Fillings and Frostings to Try

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace standard cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Use certified gluten-free peanut butter and ensure all toppings are gluten-free certified.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut milk condensed milk. Use dairy-free whipped topping and dark chocolate chips without milk solids.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free chocolate cake mix and replace sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free condensed milk alternative. Top with sugar-free chocolate chips and natural peanut butter.
• Vegan Adaptation: Create cake using vegan chocolate cake mix, replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, use almond butter instead of peanut butter, and add coconut whipped cream as topping.

Questions About Poke Cake? Look Here

• What is the purpose of poking holes in the cake?

The holes allow the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk mixture to seep into the cake, creating a moist and flavorful dessert with pockets of creamy filling throughout.

• Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?

Yes, you can substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream. Just ensure it’s stabilized so it holds its shape and doesn’t separate when spread on the cake.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this cake?

No special equipment is needed. Just a 9×13-inch baking pan, a wooden spoon or straw for poking holes, and standard mixing bowls are sufficient for making this cake.

• Is this cake safe for people with nut allergies?

No, this cake contains peanut butter and Reeses peanut butter cups, which are not safe for individuals with nut allergies. Those with nut allergies should avoid this dessert.

Why Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Is Worth Making

• Perfect for busy home bakers who want an impressive treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Irresistible blend of chocolate and peanut butter creates a mouthwatering dessert that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Minimal steps and using boxed cake mix make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, requiring just basic kitchen tools and simple ingredients.
• Ideal for potlucks, birthdays, and casual gatherings, this cake delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and looks stunning when served.

What You’ll Need for This Rich Layered Cake

• Chocolate Cake Mix: The foundational layer providing rich chocolate flavor and soft cake texture, best when using a standard boxed mix.
• Wooden Spoon or Straw: Perfect tool for creating consistent holes across the cake surface, allowing filling to penetrate deeply.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Peanut Butter: Creamy mixture that adds moisture and sweet-nutty flavor, choose creamy peanut butter for smooth consistency.

• Whipped Topping, Mini Chocolate Chips, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups: Decorative elements that add texture and extra chocolate-peanut butter flavor, opt for fresh whipped cream or store-bought whipped topping, choose name-brand or generic chocolate chips based on preference.

How to Bake and Fill Your Poke Cake Just Right

Step 1: Bake Delicious Chocolate Base

• Chocolate cake mix
• Baking pan

Mix cake mix following package directions in a 9×13-inch pan. Bake completely and let rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven.

Step 2: Create Cake Holes

Use wooden spoon handle or straw to poke multiple holes across cake surface. Create holes approximately one inch apart for perfect filling distribution.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Peanut Butter Filling

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Melted peanut butter

Whisk both ingredients in mixing bowl until smooth and uniform. Pour mixture evenly over warm cake, ensuring every hole gets filled. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate.

Step 4: Spread Fluffy Topping

Cover entire cake surface with smooth layer of whipped topping. Spread gently to create even layer.

Step 5: Decorate With Chocolate Goodness

• Mini chocolate chips
• Chocolate shavings
• Chopped Reeses cups

Add toppings generously across entire cake surface.

Step 6: Chill And Serve Decadent Dessert

Refrigerate cake for minimum one hour. This allows flavors to blend beautifully. Slice and serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible chocolate peanut butter poke cake brings rich layers of indulgence to dessert lovers. Creamy peanut butter filling and smooth chocolate ganache create a heavenly combination that melts in your mouth with pure bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (425 g) chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup (250 ml) creamy peanut butter
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk

Cake Mix Preparation Ingredients:

• Eggs (as specified on cake mix box)
• Oil (as specified on cake mix box)
• Water (as specified on cake mix box)

Topping and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 container (8 oz / 225 g) whipped topping, thawed
• ½ cup (50 g) mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup (75 g) chopped Reeses peanut butter cups

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Instructions

1. Prepare a chocolate cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan following package instructions, creating a rich chocolate base that will serve as the foundation for this decadent dessert.
2. While the cake is still warm, puncture the surface systematically with a wooden spoon handle or straw, creating numerous channels for the upcoming flavor infusion.
3. Create a luscious filling by whisking sweetened condensed milk and molten peanut butter until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous liquid that will seep deeply into the cake’s interior.
4. Gently cascade the peanut butter-condensed milk mixture across the cake’s surface, ensuring each carefully crafted hole receives a generous dose of creamy goodness.
5. Allow the cake to rest and cool completely, permitting the filling to set and permeate every crevice of the chocolate landscape.
6. Blanket the cooled cake with a smooth layer of whipped topping, creating an airy, cloud-like canvas for the final embellishments.
7. Artfully garnish the cake’s surface with a scattering of miniature chocolate chips, delicate chocolate shavings, and chopped Reeses peanut butter cups, adding textural intrigue and visual appeal.
8. Refrigerate the assembled masterpiece for a minimum of one hour, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving chilled slices of pure indulgence.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free version to accommodate dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this decadent dessert.
• Create a lighter version by using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat whipped topping without compromising the rich flavor profile.
• Prevent soggy texture by letting cake cool slightly before poking holes, allowing condensed milk mixture to absorb evenly into warm cake.
• Elevate presentation by using a piping bag to create decorative whipped topping swirls and carefully arranging chocolate garnishes for a professional touch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg