Peppermint Poke Cake (Print Version)
Chocolate cake soaked with minty vanilla pudding, chilled and topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ Pudding Filling
05 - 1 box (3.4 oz) 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 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
10 - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
11 - Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Blend with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth.
03 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
04 - Remove from oven and allow cake to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the cake surface, spacing about 1 inch apart.
06 - In a medium bowl, whisk together instant pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring if desired, mixing until the pudding thickens, about 2 minutes.
07 - Evenly pour the pudding over the cooled cake. Use a spatula to spread and encourage the pudding into the holes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until set.
08 - Spread thawed whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake.
09 - Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies and chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips if desired. Slice and serve chilled.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This cake hides a delightful secret: those peppermint-swirled pockets tucked into every slice make it irresistible for both kids and grown-ups.
- It's the perfect last-minute dessert—quick to assemble, impossible to mess up, and nearly impossible to stop snacking on.
02 -
- Once, I poked the holes while the cake was too warm and ended up with a sunken middle—resist the temptation and let it cool those extra minutes.
- The candy canes love to melt and bleed into the whipped topping overnight, so add the crushed candies at the last moment before serving for that vivid red-and-white pop.
03 -
- Poking more holes means more pudding in every bite—just space them an inch apart and don’t poke through the bottom.
- A few drops of peppermint extract goes a long way, so start with less and add more by taste if needed.