Dreamy Mounds Poke Cake Recipe: Chocolatey Coconut Bliss

Chocolate lovers adore this dreamy mounds poke cake that blends rich coconut and decadent chocolate in every delightful bite.

My kitchen often buzzes with excitement when I’m preparing this irresistible dessert.

Sweet memories of tropical flavors dance through each creamy slice.

Layers of moist chocolate cake get infused with silky coconut cream, creating a magical texture that melts in you.

Condensed milk and chocolate drizzles weave through the cake’s tender crumb like delicate ribbons of pure indulgence.

Each forkful promises a tropical escape without leaving your dining room.

Dive into this simple yet spectacular treat that will make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Everything You’ll Need for Mounds Poke Cake

• Chocolate Cake Mix: Classic foundation for the dessert, easy to prepare and provides rich chocolate flavor.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps create cake structure, use fresh large eggs.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps cake mix blend smoothly, neutral flavor preferred.
• Water: Helps combine cake ingredients, use room temperature.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy base that adds sweetness and helps bind coconut, rich and thick texture.
• Shredded Coconut: Primary flavor component, provides tropical taste and textural contrast, unsweetened or sweetened work well.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances coconut flavor, adds depth and warmth to the filling, pure extract recommended.

• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth ganache-like topping, provides richness and glossy finish.
• Chocolate Chips: Melts easily to create decadent chocolate layer, semi-sweet or dark chocolate preferred.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Decorative topping that adds extra chocolate crunch, optional garnish.

Straightforward Mounds Poke Cake Instructions

Step 1: Create Chocolate Base

Whip up the chocolate cake mix following package instructions. Pour the silky batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Slide into a preheated oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, usually around 30 minutes.

Step 2: Craft Coconut Mixture

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Shredded coconut
• Vanilla extract

Warm over low heat, stirring gently until ingredients blend smoothly. Remove from stove and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Transform Cake Surface

Grab a wooden spoon handle or straw. Poke holes generously across the entire cake surface. Ensure holes are deep enough for filling but not so aggressive that cake crumbles.

Step 4: Infuse with Coconut Goodness

Drench the cake with coconut mixture, ensuring every hole gets saturated. Allow 10-15 minutes for liquid to completely absorb, creating a lusciously moist texture.

Step 5: Develop Chocolate Topping

Heat heavy cream in microwave until just simmering. Drop chocolate chips into warm cream. Let sit momentarily, then stir until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.

Step 6: Decorate with Flair

• Mini chocolate chips
• Extra shredded coconut

Step 7: Chill and Indulge

Refrigerate cake for minimum 2 hours. This allows flavors to mingle and intensify. Slice, serve, and savor each decadent bite of this tropical-inspired dessert.

Handy Tricks for Mounds Poke Cake Bakers

• Moisture Magic: Poke numerous holes throughout the cake to ensure the coconut filling penetrates deeply, creating a super moist and decadent dessert experience.
• Temperature Tricks: Allow the cake to cool slightly before poking holes, preventing the filling from becoming too runny and maintaining the cake's structural integrity.
• Coconut Coating Control: Use sweetened shredded coconut for maximum flavor, but toast it lightly beforehand to enhance its nutty and rich undertones.
• Chocolate Precision: Heat cream gently and remove from heat before adding chocolate chips to prevent burning, ensuring a smooth and glossy chocolate topping.
• Serving Suggestion: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to blend and set, creating a more intense and cohesive taste profile.

Best Way to Store Mounds Poke Cake

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and delicious.
• Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or let the cake sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften.
• For longer storage, freeze the cake for up to 3 months by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe container.

Side Suggestions for Mounds Poke Cake

• A Creamy Mocha Latte perfectly complements the rich chocolate and coconut layers, balancing the cake's decadent sweetness with smooth espresso notes.
• Enjoy an Almond Milk Smoothie alongside the cake, echoing the coconut's tropical essence while providing a light, refreshing contrast to the dense dessert.
• Serve a small scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream next to the Mounds Poke Cake, creating a classic combination that enhances the chocolate and coconut flavors with its cool, creamy texture.
• Sip a Coconut Water Mocktail to highlight the cake's coconut theme, offering a clean, hydrating backdrop that cuts through the dessert's richness.

Fresh Spins on Mounds Poke Cake

• Gluten-Free Coconut Dream: Replace the regular chocolate cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this decadent dessert.
• Vegan Chocolate Coconut Bliss: Swap out sweetened condensed milk for coconut cream, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and choose a vegan cake mix to create a plant-based version of this treat.
• Low-Sugar Tropical Treat: Substitute sugar-free chocolate cake mix and use a sugar-free condensed milk alternative to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich flavors.
• Almond Joy Inspired: Incorporate chopped almonds into the topping and between cake layers to mimic the classic candy bar's nutty profile, adding extra texture and crunch.

Reasons Mounds Poke Cake Gets Requested Often

• Perfect for home cooks looking to create a stunning dessert without complex techniques.
• The recipe requires minimal cooking skills and uses convenient ingredients like boxed cake mix and simple pantry staples, making it ideal for busy home bakers.
• Combines the classic Mounds candy bar taste with a moist, decadent cake that appeals to chocolate and coconut lovers of all ages.
• Transforms a basic cake into a showstopping dessert with minimal extra effort, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and special occasions.

Mounds Poke Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 15 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with this mounds poke cake, a dreamy dessert infused with coconut and rich chocolate flavors. Each slice promises a delightful journey through creamy layers that melt effortlessly on your palate, inviting pure indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 3 eggs (as per box instructions)
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (as per box instructions)
• 1 cup water (as per box instructions)

Coconut Filling:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)

Topping and Garnish:

• 1 container (8 ounces / 226 grams) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup chocolate syrup or chocolate ganache (optional, for drizzling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chocolate cake mix meticulously following package instructions, ensuring a smooth, well-combined batter.
2. Transfer the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
3. During baking, craft the coconut filling by gently warming sweetened condensed milk with shredded coconut and vanilla extract in a saucepan, stirring until harmoniously blended.
4. After the cake cools slightly, create strategic perforations across the surface using a wooden spoon handle or straw, allowing deep but controlled penetration.
5. Cascade the warm coconut filling over the cake, guaranteeing complete saturation through each carefully crafted hole.
6. Allow the cake to rest briefly, permitting the filling to deeply penetrate and enhance moisture levels.
7. Craft the chocolate topping by heating heavy cream until it reaches a gentle simmer, then incorporate chocolate chips, stirring until achieving a luxurious, glossy consistency.
8. Generously drape the molten chocolate mixture across the cake’s surface, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
9. Embellish the cake with a scattering of mini chocolate chips and additional shredded coconut for textural complexity.
10. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of two hours, enabling flavors to harmonize and intensify.
11. Serve chilled, revealing a decadent, multi-layered confection that promises an extraordinary sensory experience.

Notes

• Ensure cake mix is thoroughly mixed to avoid lumps and create a smooth, even texture.
• Allow cake to cool slightly before poking holes to prevent the cake from falling apart or becoming mushy.
• Use a chopstick or handle of a wooden spoon for precise, evenly spaced holes throughout the cake.
• Choose full-fat sweetened condensed milk for maximum richness and a more decadent coconut filling.
• Microwave chocolate chips in short bursts to prevent burning and maintain a glossy chocolate topping.
• For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with coconut milk and use dark chocolate with lower sugar content.
• Enhance flavor by toasting coconut flakes before adding them to the topping for a deeper, nuttier taste.
• Make the cake ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for convenient entertaining.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 15
• Calories: 337
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg