Cozy up with a slice of pure winter bliss – hot chocolate poke cake! This decadent cake combines the comfort of a rich, moist chocolate cake with the warmth and nostalgia of a steaming mug of hot cocoa, creating a dessert that’s perfect for chilly evenings and holiday gatherings.
Poke cakes are one of my favorite desserts because they are so easy to make! Start with a box of cake mix and doctor it up with your flavor combinations. This recipe combines chocolate cake and hot chocolate into an irresistible dessert.
Every bite of cake is infused with hot cocoa’s rich, creamy flavor. By poking holes in the chocolate cake and drizzling a hot chocolate mixture over the top, you create a dessert that’s moist, gooey, and bursting with chocolate goodness. And since it starts with a simple boxed mix, it is an easy and accessible treat for bakers of all skill levels.
By allowing the hot chocolate mixture to seep into every nook and cranny of the cake, you end up with a dessert that’s more flavorful and moist than any regular chocolate cake could ever be. The cake is topped with a fluffy, pillowy layer of whipped topping.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating this indulgent dessert, from baking the cake and drizzling the hot chocolate mixture. A hot chocolate poke cake is perfect for cold winter nights and holiday celebrations.
Are you looking for more hot chocolate-inspired flavors? Try hot cocoa cookies, Grinch hot cocoa bombs, or homemade hot chocolate mix.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Chocolate cake mix: You can use any brand of chocolate cake mix you like. I usually go for a classic devil’s food or a rich chocolate fudge flavor.
- Ingredients to make the cake mix: Water, eggs, and oil.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Hot chocolate mix
- Whipped topping: Like Cool Whip.
- Mini chocolate chips
- Marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows
🥣How to Make Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
- First, make the chocolate cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before moving on to the next step.
- Once the cake is cool, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick to poke holes all over the top.
- Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and hot chocolate mix in a medium bowl until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the cake, filling in all the holes. Use a spatula to spread the mixture out evenly.
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. The milk mixture will soak into the cake, making it extra moist and flavorful.
- When you’re ready to serve the cake, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the top. If desired, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and marshmallow bits.
🍴Serving Ideas
Slice the hot chocolate poke cake into squares and serve it up! For a fun presentation, drizzle the plates with a little bit of chocolate syrup or sprinkle them with cocoa powder.
For the ultimate chocolate experience, serve a slice of cake with a mug of hot chocolate on the side. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a chilly winter evening.
💭How to Store
Because of the milk mixture and the whipped topping, you should store this cake in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep in the fridge for about five days.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Keep in mind that this cake needs to chill for a few hours before serving, so make sure to plan ahead. It’s a great make-ahead dessert for parties or potlucks.
- While you can make this cake with a homemade chocolate cake recipe, using a boxed mix is just as delicious and so much easier. I’m all about short cut baking!
- Make sure you let the cake cool before you start poking holes and adding the milk mixture. If the cake is still warm, it will absorb too much liquid and become soggy and dense.
- While you can use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake, I find that using a chopstick works even better. It creates smaller, more evenly-sized holes, allowing the milk mixture to soak into the cake without making it too wet.
- While mini chocolate chips and marshmallow bits are the classic toppings for this cake, you can mix things up! Try crushed candy canes for a peppermint hot chocolate twist or chopped nuts for a bit of crunch.
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Hot Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix plus ingredients to prepare it (oil, water, egg)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 2 packets hot chocolate mix or 8 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix
- 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- Mini chocolate chips
- Marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix and bake in a 9×13-inch dish according to the package instructions.1 box chocolate cake mix
- Allow the cake to cool completely, then use a chopstick or wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake.
- Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and hot chocolate mix until well combined.1 can sweetened condensed milk, 2 packets hot chocolate mix
- Pour the milk mixture over the top of the cake and spread evenly into the holes.
- Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least four hours.
- When ready to serve, spread the whipped topping over the top of the cake and decorate with mini chocolate chips and marshmallow bits.16 ounces frozen whipped topping, Mini chocolate chips, Marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows
Notes
- Keep in mind that this cake needs to chill for a few hours before serving, so make sure to plan ahead.
- While you can make this cake with a homemade chocolate cake recipe, using a boxed mix is just as delicious and so much easier. I’m all about short cut baking!
- Make sure you let the cake cool before you start poking holes and adding the milk mixture. If the cake is still warm, it will absorb too much liquid and become soggy and dense.
- While you can use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake, I find that using a chopstick works even better. It creates smaller, more evenly-sized holes, allowing the milk mixture to soak into the cake without making it too wet.
- While mini chocolate chips and marshmallow bits are the classic toppings for this cake, you can mix things up! Try crushed candy canes for a peppermint hot chocolate twist or chopped nuts for a bit of crunch.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
