Peppermint Poke Cake (Printable version)
Minty chocolate poke cake with peppermint pudding, whipped topping and crushed candy canes—chilled and ready to slice.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ Pudding Filling
05 - 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
06 - 2 cups cold milk
07 - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
08 - 2 to 3 drops red or pink food coloring, optional
→ Topping
09 - 1 tub (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
10 - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
11 - Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - Combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl. Blend until smooth following package directions.
03 - Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
04 - Allow cake to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the surface, spacing about 1 inch apart.
06 - In a separate bowl, whisk pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring, if using, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
07 - Immediately pour pudding over cake, gently spreading and pressing pudding into the holes with a spatula.
08 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until pudding is set.
09 - Spread thawed whipped topping evenly over chilled cake, smoothing gently.
10 - Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies and chocolate shavings or chips on top as desired.
11 - Slice and serve chilled for best results.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You get that deep chocolate flavor with a playful, frosty pop of peppermint which wakes up every bite.
- No fancy decorating skills needed: a shower of crushed candies covers any mistakes and looks instantly festive.
02 -
- If you add the pudding when the cake is too hot, it turns runny and doesn't set inside the holes.
- Don't crush the peppermint candies too far in advance or they'll start to melt and lose their crunch by serving time.
03 -
- Always poke deep, wide holes—you want that pudding to find every nook and cranny.
- Letting the cake cool before pouring on pudding means no soggy pockets, just perfect creamy stripes inside.