Dreamy Mint Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

Enchanting Mint Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe: A Sweet Dream

Decadent chocolate cake with a mint chocolate poke recipe blends rich, indulgent flavors that dance across your palate.

Silky smooth chocolate mingles with refreshing mint for an irresistible dessert experience.

Cool and creamy layers promise pure delight in every single bite.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over this simple yet elegant treat.

The contrast between deep chocolate and bright mint creates a harmonious symphony of taste.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious escape from ordinary desserts.

This cake transforms an afternoon treat into a memorable culinary adventure that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients for Mint Chocolate Poke Cake

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for our moist and fluffy cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep brown color.
  • Baking Soda: Ensures the cake rises and maintains a light, airy structure.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances all the sweet flavors in the cake.
For Moisture and Flavor:
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist and soft.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Vanilla Extract: Deepens the overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
For Topping and Filling:
  • Chocolate Pudding Mix: Creates a luscious, creamy filling that seeps into cake holes.
  • Mint Extract: Introduces a cool, refreshing mint flavor throughout the dessert.
  • Heavy Cream: Whips into a luxurious, cloud-like topping.
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful chocolate bursts and decorative element.
  • Peppermint Candies: Adds a festive crunch and extra mint punch.

Tools for Creating Those Flavor-Filled Holes

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cake ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Helps create a well-blended cake batter.
  • 9×13 inch baking pan: Perfect size for making this delicious sheet cake.
  • Wooden skewer or fork: Needed to poke holes in the baked cake.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula: Helps spread frosting and batter evenly.
  • Cooling rack: Allows cake to cool down properly after baking.

Bake and Layer Mint Chocolate Goodness

  • Prep the Cake Base

Bake your favorite chocolate cake according to the box instructions or use a homemade recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

  • Create Poke Holes

Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick, gently poke evenly spaced holes across the entire surface of the cooled cake. Make sure the holes go almost to the bottom but don’t break through.

  • Infuse with Mint

Pour prepared mint syrup or pudding mixture slowly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole. The liquid will fill the gaps, creating a deliciously moist texture.

  • Chill and Set

Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, allowing the mint filling to completely absorb into the cake layers and enhance the flavors.

  • Frost and Decorate

Top the chilled cake with a light mint-flavored whipped cream or frosting. Sprinkle crushed mint chocolate pieces or mint chips over the surface for extra crunch and visual appeal.

  • Store with Care

Keep the cake in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. Always cover after the cake has completely cooled to prevent condensation.

Tips to Balance Sweetness and Mint

  • Let the cake cool completely before adding the pudding and whipped topping to ensure clean, crisp layers and easy slicing.
  • Swap regular milk and whipped cream with coconut milk and coconut whipped cream for a lactose-free version that maintains the cake's rich, creamy texture.
  • Prepare the cake a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and pudding to set perfectly, creating an even more delicious dessert.
  • Experiment with different mint extracts like peppermint or spearmint, or add crushed mint chocolate candies on top for an extra burst of flavor and crunch.
  • Use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this dessert accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.

Serve This Cake Chilled for Best Texture

  • Frosty Dessert Companion: Serve this chilled cake alongside a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream for an extra refreshing summer treat.
  • Family Slice Style: Cut into neat squares and arrange on a decorative platter, garnishing with fresh mint leaves or chocolate shavings for an elegant presentation.
  • Festive Party Platter: Create individual portions on small dessert plates, adding a dollop of whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder to enhance the visual appeal and flavor profile.
  • Cozy Comfort Pairing: Enjoy a slice with a warm cup of hot chocolate or coffee, balancing the cool mint chocolate cake with a comforting warm beverage.

Store in the Fridge Until You Slice Again

  • Refrigerate the cake in a sealed container to maintain its freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Prepare the cake up to 2 days before serving, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more delicious dessert.
  • Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and taste.
  • Remove the cake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance the mint chocolate flavors.

FAQs

  • What is a poke cake?

A poke cake is a dessert where holes are made in a baked cake and then filled with a liquid or sauce to add extra moisture and flavor, creating a deliciously moist and decadent treat.

  • Can I use a different type of chocolate for the mint chocolate version?

Yes, you can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate instead of the recommended chocolate, depending on your taste preference.

  • How do I make the holes in the cake evenly?

Use the handle of a wooden spoon or the back of a chopstick to create uniform holes throughout the cake, making sure they are roughly the same size and spread out evenly.

  • Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This mint chocolate poke cake can be prepared a day in advance, which actually allows the flavors to meld together and makes the cake even more delicious when served.

Print
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Dreamy Mint Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

Dreamy Mint Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Rich chocolate cake infused with mint chocolate pudding highlights classic dessert flavors. Cool whipped topping and chocolate shavings complete this delightful sweet treat that you’ll savor with pure pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk
  • 1 container (8 oz / 227 g) whipped topping
  • 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) chocolate cake mix
  • ½ cup (90 g) mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings
  • Eggs (as specified on cake mix box)
  • Oil (as specified on cake mix box)
  • Water (as specified on cake mix box)
  • ½ teaspoon mint extract
  • 1 tsp mint extract (optional)
  • Green food coloring (optional)
  • Crushed mint candies or Andes mints (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Preheat oven and prepare cake pan with parchment paper, ensuring smooth release after baking.
  2. Mix Ingredients: Combine dry and wet ingredients thoroughly, whisking until batter achieves a silky, lump-free consistency.
  3. Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly; bake until toothpick emerges clean from center.
  4. Chocolate Infusion: After cooling slightly, puncture cake with wooden spoon handle, creating strategic channels for chocolate sauce absorption.
  5. Sauce Saturation: Carefully drizzle chocolate sauce into cake’s perforations, allowing liquid to penetrate deeply and enhance internal moisture.
  6. Cooling Stage: Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes, enabling sauce to solidify and integrate seamlessly with cake’s structure.
  7. Mint Cream Topping: Whip cream with mint extract until soft peaks form, creating a light, aromatic covering.
  8. Decorative Finish: Generously spread mint whipped cream across cake surface, then garnish with crushed chocolate mint candies for textural contrast.
  9. Serving Recommendation: Chill cake thoroughly to marry flavors and set topping, then slice and serve within 3-4 days for peak deliciousness.

Notes

  • Ensure Even Mixing: Gently fold dry and wet ingredients to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake texture.
  • Create Precise Holes: Use a wooden spoon handle with consistent diameter to make uniform holes for even chocolate sauce distribution.
  • Control Chocolate Sauce Consistency: Warm chocolate sauce slightly to help it penetrate cake holes more effectively without making the cake soggy.
  • Stabilize Whipped Cream: Add a touch of powdered sugar or gelatin to mint whipped cream for better structure and longer-lasting peaks.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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