Peppermint Poke Cake (Printable)
Soft chocolate cake soaked with minty vanilla pudding, chilled and topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint.
# What You Need:
→ For the Cake
01 - 1 box (about 15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ For the Pudding Filling
05 - 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
06 - 2 cups cold milk
07 - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
08 - 2–3 drops red or pink food coloring (optional)
→ For the 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 the 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. Mix using an electric mixer or whisk until a smooth batter forms, following the manufacturer's instructions on the cake mix package.
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 - Transfer the baked cake to a wire rack and 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 using) until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
07 - Quickly pour the pudding over the cake, spreading evenly with a spatula so the pudding fills the holes.
08 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until the pudding is set.
09 - Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly across the surface of the chilled cake.
10 - Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies and chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips over the whipped topping.
11 - Cut into portions and serve chilled.
# Expert Tips:
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.