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Chocolate Mint Poke Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 145 reviews

This Chocolate Mint Poke Cake is a decadent dessert combining rich dark chocolate fudge cake, creamy chocolate pudding, and a vibrant mint-flavored whipped topping. The cake is baked, then poked and filled with a luscious melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk mixture, layered with chocolate pudding and topped with mint-infused whipped cream and chopped mint chocolate candy pieces. Perfect for chocolate and mint lovers, it offers a moist, flavorful experience with a refreshing twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 15.25 ounces (432 grams) dark chocolate fudge cake mix (Duncan Hines or Devil’s Food cake mix)
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

Chocolate Filling

  • 14 ounces (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 3.1 ounces (2 bars, 1.55 ounces or 43 grams each) Hershey’s milk chocolate bars, broken into pieces

Chocolate Pudding Layer

  • 1¾ cups cold whole milk
  • 3.9 ounces (111 grams) instant chocolate pudding mix (e.g., Great Value)

Whipped Topping Layer

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) whipped topping (thawed)
  • 1–2 drops green gel food coloring (Sunny Side Up brand leaf green)
  • ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract

Garnish

  • ¾ cup finely chopped mint chocolate candy
  • Chocolate syrup (optional for drizzle garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with baker’s spray such as Baker’s Joy to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix and Bake Cake Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, eggs, and vegetable oil. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, blend until no dry lumps remain. Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-27 minutes, beginning to check at 22-23 minutes by inserting a toothpick until it comes out clean.
  3. Poke Cake Holes: After removing the cake from the oven, immediately use the rounded end of a wooden spoon to poke holes about an inch apart, going nearly to the bottom of the cake to create spaces for the filling.
  4. Melt Chocolate Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and broken Hershey’s milk chocolate bars. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave an additional 15 seconds. Stir until smooth and fully melted, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  5. Fill Cake Holes: Using a spoon or small ladle, pour the melted chocolate mixture into the holes on the cake, making multiple passes as needed to fill all holes. Let the cake cool completely to absorb the filling.
  6. Prepare Chocolate Pudding: In a separate medium bowl, add cold whole milk. Whisk in the instant chocolate pudding mix with a handheld mixer on medium speed for 1 to 1½ minutes until thickened but still spreadable.
  7. Spread Pudding Layer: Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the pudding over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for about one hour, or until the pudding layer is set.
  8. Make Mint Whipped Topping: In a small bowl, combine the thawed whipped topping with green gel food coloring and peppermint extract. Stir until the color is uniform and streak-free.
  9. Apply Mint Topping: Spread the tinted whipped topping evenly over the set pudding layer using an offset or silicone spatula.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the finely chopped mint chocolate candy evenly over the whipped topping. Optionally drizzle with chocolate syrup. Cut into 3 slices by 4 slices. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Room temperature eggs help the cake batter mix more evenly and rise better.
  • Carefully monitor the melting of the chocolate mixture in the microwave to prevent burning.
  • Poking holes immediately after baking while the cake is warm allows the filling to soak in thoroughly.
  • Green gel food coloring adds vibrant minty color without altering texture.
  • Use an offset spatula for smooth spreading of pudding and whipped topping layers.
  • Keep the cake refrigerated until serving to maintain freshness and structure.
  • Feel free to substitute different mint chocolates or add a chocolate syrup drizzle for enhanced flavor.

Keywords: Chocolate mint cake, poke cake, chocolate pudding dessert, mint whipped topping, easy chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/chocolate-mint-poke-cake-recipe/