• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Foody Schmoody Blog logo

  • Home
  • About/Contact
    • Contact
    • Disclosures
    • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • All Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About/Contact
    • Contact
    • Disclosures
    • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • All Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Foody Schmoody Blog Recipes For Everyone » Dessert

    Published: Jan 26, 2017 · Modified: Jan 28, 2023 by foodyschmoody ·

    Hot Fudge Poke Cake

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    If making desserts or baking intimidates you then you should try an easy dessert like this Hot Fudge Poke Cake.

    This easy dessert cake is a fun take on an ice cream sundae, sans ice cream. However, there is nothing stopping you from piling a scoop (or two) of ice cream along side this cake.

    A close up view of a piece of poke cake on a white plate. The cake has one cherry on top and the baking dish is blurred in the background.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please visit my disclosure page

    Fun fact: Poke cakes first became popular in the 1970’s.

    This cake recipe, like most of my desserts, starts with a boxed mix. If you are into boxed mixes that easily get elevated, you might also want to try my Bailey’s Irish Cream Brownies.

    Jump to:
    •  Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestion
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Printable Recipe Card

    What is a poke cake?

    The simple answer is, a cake that you poke holes in. The holes get filled with something yummy, typically a sauce or syrup.

     Ingredients

    A collage of all ingredients needed for recipe.
    • Boxed cake mix and ingredients called for on box
    • Instant pudding mix - chocolate or devil's food
    • Hot fudge sauce
    • Milk
    • Whipped Topping
    • Maraschino Cherries

    Exact amounts are listed in recipe card below.

    I am using a vanilla cake here as a fun play on a hot fudge sundae with vanilla ice cream, but I bet this would be indulgent and delicious with a chocolate cake too.

    Instructions

    Bake cake as instructed on boxed mix. This steps and ingredients involved in this step vary with brands so be sure to follow the instructions of the brand you purchase.

    Once the cake is baked a cooled a bit, you will use the backend of wooden spoon, or something similarly shaped to poke holes all over the cake.

    Cake baked with holes poked in it. The cake pan sits on top of a brown speckled dish towel.

    Warm the hot fudge to make it pourable and pour in all the holes and on cake.

    Hot fudge sauce being poured onto vanilla cake in pan. The cake has holes poked all over it.

    Combine pudding mix and milk. Pour mixture over the top of the cake, creating an even layer.

    Pudding mixture being poured over hot fudge layer on cake.

    Place in the refrigerator to set.

    Once pudding layer is set up, spread whipped topping all over pudding layer,

    Whipped topping is being spread on top of cake with a rubber spatula. The cake pan is sitting on top of a brown dish towel.

    Add cherries or whatever other toppings you prefer just before serving.

    Corner of cake pan is showing prepared cake with whipped topping and cherries on top. There are dishes to the side of the cake pan.

    Serve chilled.

    Serving suggestion

    Drizzle additional hot fudge sauce over each individual piece as you serve it.

    Hint: Bake cake in a disposable cake pan so you can leave it right in the pan without losing your good baking dish for days.

    I am constantly finding myself “needing” the pan that is already in use.

    Variations

    You can get creative with toppings and flavors in this poke cake. Use what I’ve given you as a guide and change up what you want.

    • Cake - Try chocolate instead of vanilla.
    • Pudding - Other great options would be french vanilla, vanilla, banana cream or cheesecake flavor.
    • Toppings - Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles, chopped nuts or chopped fruit such as strawberries.

    TIP: I recommend adding your toppings when ready to serve. Toppings added to far in advance can bleed into the whipped topping, causing discoloration and/or certain toppings could become soggy.

    Storage

    Leftover poke cake can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

    After 3 days you can technically still eat it but it is likely that it will be soggy. I do not have any experience in trying to freeze poke cake

    Poke cake slice on plate. there is a girl behind it stealing the cherry from on top.

    Printable Recipe Card

    Close up side view of a slice of poke cake with a cherry on top.

    Hot Fudge Poke Cake

    foodyschmoody
    An easy dessert that just about anyone can make. Use a boxed mix or the base, poke holes in cake and pour in sauces. Refrigerate and top with your favorite hot fudge sundae toppings.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    refrigeration 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 15
    Calories 322 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
    • 12.8 ounces hot fudge sauce
    • 3.4 ounce box instant pudding chocolate fudge or devil's food variety
    • 2 cup milk
    • 8 ounce whipped topping
    • 10 ounce maraschino cherries

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare cake as per box instructions in a 9x13 baking pan.
    • Let cake cool, in pan for about 10 minutes.
    • Using the handle of a wooden spoon or similar shaped utensil, poke holes all over the cake.
    • Remove the cover from the jar of hot fudge sauce and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Pour hot fudge sauce in all the holes and the surface of the cake.
    • In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. Mixture won't be set. Pour over the surface of cake. Place cake in fridge for pudding to set, about 30-60 minutes.
    • Once pudding is set, spread whipped topping over pudding layer.
    • Add toppings when ready to serve.

    Notes

    NOTE: Nutritional facts do not include ingredients called for on box to bake cake. Please adjust for those based on what your box calls for.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 438mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 2gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 73IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cake, cake recipe, dessert, easy cake recipe, hot fudge sundae, poke cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Christine (@foodyschmoody)

    More Dessert

    • Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars
    • Apple Cake Recipe (CopyCat Tastefully Simple Nana's Apple Cake Mix)
    • 40 Strawberry Recipes Sweet, Savory & Drinks
    • Blueberry Bread

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Amanda|The Kitcheneer says

      January 26, 2017 at 10:13 am

      I'm drooling over this cake!

      Reply
    2. Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says

      January 26, 2017 at 10:44 am

      Mmmm, not that's my kind of cake! I'm totally craving hot fudge, now. (My daughter's been asking me to make a jello poke cake for about a month now....)

      Reply
    3. The Food Hunter says

      January 26, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      this cake looks delicious. I need to try making it.

      Reply
    4. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

      January 26, 2017 at 5:46 pm

      I eat ice cream no matter what the temperature is! Ha ha. Love this!

      Reply
    5. Colleen says

      January 26, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      I have to make this soon! Looks amazing!

      Reply
      • foodyschmoody says

        January 27, 2017 at 7:05 am

        Thanks Colleen! It's a yummy treat and fun for kids to help poke the holes or fill the holes.

        Reply
    6. foodyschmoody says

      January 27, 2017 at 7:05 am

      I had never even heard of one until I started blogging and then I saw them everywhere. They are really easy and the kids love helping making and filling the holes!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    A Word About Foody Schmoody

    Yes, that IS me and GORDON RAMSAY

    Thanks so much for visiting my "accidental" blog. I started off this blogging adventure as a way to keep a nice order to my recipes and share them with friends. Little did I know, there are other people out there interested in what I have to say too!

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Trending Kitchen Products

    Perfect Holiday Gift!

    Popular

    • Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
    • Classic Minestrone Soup
    • 40 Best Grilled Cheese Recipes
    • Black Pepper Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT