Oh-So-Fudgy German Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

Chocolate lovers chase the perfect german chocolate poke cake that melts in your mouth with decadent layers of flavor.

Rich, velvety textures dance across your palate with each heavenly bite.

This dessert brings deep cocoa warmth and creamy coconut notes to your table.

Silky chocolate cascades through tender cake holes, creating a mesmerizing treat that begs for seconds.

Soft, moist crumb meets luscious frosting in a symphony of sweet indulgence.

Every forkful promises pure comfort and delightful satisfaction.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next gathering or quiet evening at home.

Bake, Poke, and Frost Your German Chocolate Poke Cake

Create A Decadent Chocolate Heaven

• Warm Up The Oven Preheat to the standard cake mix temperature, typically around 350F/175C for perfect baking conditions.
• Mix And Pour Blend cake mix according to package directions and transfer batter smoothly into a greased baking pan, ensuring even distribution.
• Bake To Perfection Cook until a toothpick emerges clean, signaling the cake's readiness. Let it cool slightly for the next delicious phase.
• Transform With Moisture Grab a wooden spoon handle and poke generous holes across the cake's surface, creating channels for flavor absorption.
• Drench In Caramel Combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce, then generously pour the mixture over the cake, allowing it to seep into every crevice.
• Crown With Deliciousness Spread coconut-pecan frosting generously, potentially warming it briefly to enhance spreadability. Sprinkle shredded coconut and chopped pecans for a textural masterpiece.
• Chill And Delight Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, letting flavors meld and intensify. Serve chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate indulgence.

Ideas to Change Up Your Poke Cake Filling

• Prepare the cake a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator to intensify the flavors and make serving a breeze.
• For extra gooey goodness, warm the caramel sauce slightly before pouring it over the cake to help it penetrate deeper into the holes.
• Swap the traditional cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix to make this dessert celiac-friendly without sacrificing taste.
• Replace pecans with toasted sunflower seeds or omit nuts entirely for those with nut allergies while maintaining the cake's delicious texture.
• Use coconut milk-based condensed milk and dairy-free chocolate chips to create a delectable version suitable for those avoiding dairy products.

Serve German Chocolate Poke Cake With Ice Cream or Alone

• Dessert Companion Delights: Perfect Pairings
• Creamy Cool Contrast: Serve each slice with a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream to balance the rich chocolate and caramel flavors.
• Coffee Companion: Brew a strong cup of espresso or dark roast coffee to complement the sweet cake's deep chocolate notes.
• Nutty Garnish Boost: Sprinkle extra toasted pecans around the plate for added crunch and a professional restaurant-style presentation.
• Whipped Cream Swirl: Add a light dollop of fresh whipped cream on top to cut through the cake's richness and provide a delicate texture contrast.

Keep German Chocolate Poke Cake Moist in Storage

• Keep cake covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. Delicious slices will stay perfect for 3-5 days.
• Wrap individual cake portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen cake maintains quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Always store cake between 34-40°F to prevent bacterial growth. Cool completely before sealing to avoid condensation and soggy texture.
• Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. Room temperature enhances flavor and creates softer, more enjoyable eating experience. Garnish with fresh ingredients just before presenting to maintain crispness and visual appeal.

FAQs

• What is the origin of German Chocolate Cake?

Despite its name, German Chocolate Cake isn’t actually from Germany. It was created in the United States by Samuel German, a baker for Baker’s Chocolate Company, in the 1850s.

• Can I make this cake from scratch instead of using a mix?

Absolutely! You can use a homemade chocolate cake recipe instead of a boxed mix. Just ensure the cake is moist and dense enough to absorb the caramel mixture.

• How do I know when I've poked enough holes in the cake?

Cover the cake with holes about an inch apart, ensuring the entire surface has multiple entry points for the caramel to seep through. The more holes, the more moisture and flavor the cake will absorb.

• Is this cake suitable for people with nut allergies?

No, this recipe contains pecans. If you have a nut allergy, you’ll need to omit the pecans or find a nut-free alternative topping.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 13

German Chocolate Poke Cake Essentials

• Chocolate Cake Mix: Provides the rich foundation with deep chocolate flavor, select a high-quality mix for best results.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and creates structure, choose fresh eggs at room temperature.
• Oil: Ensures moistness and tender crumb, use neutral vegetable oil for optimal texture.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates incredible moisture and adds luxurious sweetness, select full-fat version for best results.
• Caramel Sauce: Introduces rich, buttery undertones, opt for thick, premium sauce.
• Coconut-Pecan Frosting: Delivers signature German chocolate flavor profile, choose traditional brand for authentic taste.

• Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical texture and traditional German chocolate cake character, select unsweetened or sweetened based on preference.
• Chopped Pecans: Provides delightful crunch and nutty depth, toast lightly for enhanced flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Optional indulgent touch for extra chocolate intensity, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate variety.

Tools That Help Layer and Chill German Chocolate Poke Cake

• 913-inch baking pan: Essential for baking the perfect cake base.
• Wooden spoon: Crucial for creating evenly spaced holes in the cake.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for blending caramel mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Key for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Microwave: Helpful for warming frosting if needed.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting smoothly.
• Knife: Useful for slicing the finished cake.

Moist German Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent German Chocolate Poke Cake delights dessert enthusiasts with rich coconut-pecan layers. Creamy chocolate sauce and smooth frosting create a heavenly treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) German chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) chocolate fudge instant pudding mix
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 container (8 oz / 227 g) whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup caramel sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Eggs (as per cake mix instructions)
• Oil (as per cake mix instructions)
• Water (as per cake mix instructions)
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Cake Foundation: Blend chocolate cake mix thoroughly, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous batter without lumps, then pour into a greased rectangular baking pan, spreading evenly.
2. Baking Process: Position pan in a preheated oven at the specified temperature, baking until the center responds with resilience when lightly pressed and a testing skewer emerges immaculately clean.
3. Hole Creation: While the cake remains warm, strategically puncture the surface using a wooden spoon’s rounded end, generating uniform channels for flavor absorption.
4. Caramel Infusion: Whisk sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce into a harmonious liquid, then meticulously drizzle across the perforated cake, guaranteeing complete penetration and moisture enhancement.
5. Frosting Application: Spread coconut-pecan frosting uniformly across the cake’s surface, potentially warming it momentarily to achieve optimal spreadability.
6. Textural Embellishment: Lavishly distribute shredded coconut, chopped pecans, and optional chocolate chips, creating a visually stunning and texturally complex dessert landscape.
7. Flavor Maturation: Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of two hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and transform into a cohesive, indulgent delicacy.
8. Serving Suggestion: Present chilled, potentially accompanied by vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream to elevate the sensory experience.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Clumping: Sift dry cake mix ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure a smooth, uniform batter texture.
• Master Hole Technique: Create evenly spaced holes about 1-inch apart using a wooden spoon handle, allowing maximum caramel absorption without destroying cake structure.
• Temperature Control: Allow cake to cool slightly warm (not hot) before adding caramel to prevent liquid from completely dissolving cake’s structure while maintaining optimal moisture penetration.
• Frosting Consistency Hack: Warm coconut-pecan frosting in microwave for 10-15 seconds to achieve perfect spreadability without compromising ingredient integrity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg