Irresistible Caramel Poke Cake Recipe: Sweet Treat Magic

Sweet, moist layers of cake hide a delightful secret in this decadent caramel poke cake recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Soft sponge gets pierced with precision, creating hidden pockets of rich caramel goodness.

Every forkful delivers a luxurious blend of tender cake and silky caramel sauce.

The dessert strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.

Warm or chilled, this cake offers a mesmerizing experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Whipping up this dessert requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.

You’ll be the star baker when you serve this irresistible treat that transforms an ordinary evening into a sweet celebration.

Tools to Create Decadent Poke Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for blending cake batter smoothly and creating perfect consistency.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect size for creating a classic sheet cake.
• Wooden spoon: Used for poking holes in the cake after baking.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and smooth the cake's surface.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Useful for combining dry ingredients without lumps.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

Directions for Caramel Filling & Cake

• Cake Preparation

Set up your kitchen workspace with a clean baking dish and gather all necessary ingredients. Creating a delightful dessert requires a calm and organized approach.

• Batter Creation

Combine dry and wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl, blending them smoothly until you achieve a silky, consistent mixture. The key is gentle mixing to keep the batter light and airy.

• Baking Magic

Pour the batter into the prepared dish and slide it into a preheated oven. Watch as the cake transforms, rising and developing a beautiful golden-brown surface that promises delicious flavor.

• Caramel Transformation

After the cake cools slightly, create strategic holes across its surface. Gently pour a luscious caramel mixture, allowing it to seep deep into the cake’s tender crumb.

• Cooling and Setting

Refrigerate the cake, giving the caramel time to infuse every delectable layer. This resting period allows flavors to meld and intensify.

• Final Touch

Before serving, add a luxurious chocolate drizzle that cascades over the cake’s surface, creating an irresistible visual and flavor experience.

Caramel Tips & Poke Technique

• Caramel Magic Moments: Elevate your cake by poking extra holes for maximum caramel absorption, ensuring every bite is gloriously sweet and gooey.
• Coffee Flavor Boost: Experiment with different coffee strengths or replace it with espresso for a richer, more intense chocolate cake base that deepens the overall flavor profile.
• Topping Adventure: Transform the cake's appearance by sprinkling crushed toffee bits, chocolate shavings, or toasted pecans on top for added texture and visual appeal.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: This cake actually improves with time – prepare it a day in advance and store in the refrigerator to let the caramel flavors meld and intensify perfectly.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Substitute milk with almond or oat milk, and use coconut condensed milk for a delicious alternative that accommodates dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

How to Serve Caramel Poke Cake

• Caramel Cascade Delight: Drizzle extra warm caramel sauce over each slice, creating mesmerizing golden streams that cascade down the cake's soft surface.
• Sweet Companion Combo: Pair this rich cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to balance the intense caramel flavor.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Sprinkle crushed chocolate-covered toffee bits or chocolate shavings on top for added crunch and extra indulgent texture.
• Coffee Companion Experience: Serve alongside a steaming cup of espresso or dark roast coffee to complement the cake's deep, rich chocolate undertones.

Poke Cake Storage & Serving Prep

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Haven: Store your caramel poke cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain the cake's moisture and prevents caramel from becoming too runny.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats can stay frozen for 2-3 months, perfect for unexpected dessert cravings.
• Room Temperature Timing: Keep the cake at room temperature for no more than 4 hours to prevent potential bacterial growth. Always cover it with a clean kitchen towel or cake dome to protect its texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake one day in advance to allow caramel flavors to develop and intensify. This strategy enhances the overall taste and saves precious time before serving guests.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes

Calories: 364 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Breakdown for Caramel Poke Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and tender crumb for the cake's foundation, selecting unbleached flour ensures better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, moist cake with delightful golden-brown edges.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Critical leavening agents that help cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances sweetness.

• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate intensity and rich, dark color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone that complements chocolate beautifully.
• Milk: Creates smooth, tender cake texture with subtle creamy background.
• Brewed Coffee, Cooled: Amplifies chocolate's complexity and adds sophisticated depth.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures incredibly moist cake with soft, tender crumb.

• Caramel Sauce: Provides luxurious, sticky sweetness that seeps into cake layers.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds extra richness and creates dreamy, silky caramel effect.
• Chocolate Sauce: Offers elegant finishing touch with glossy, indulgent drizzle.

Irresistible Caramel Poke Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible chocolate caramel poke cake delivers rich layers of indulgence with a silky smooth texture. Sweet caramel pools fill each delightful bite, promising a memorable dessert experience for passionate bakers.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 milliliters / 16 fluid ounces) granulated sugar
• 1¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) milk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) brewed coffee, cooled
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) vegetable oil
• ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ tsps baking powder
• 1½ tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 jar caramel sauce (12.25 fluid ounces / 360 milliliters)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces / 410 milliliters)
• Chocolate sauce (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Mixing Base: Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl until completely unified, creating a smooth foundation for the cake.
3. Liquid Integration: Combine eggs, milk, oil, vanilla essence, and cooled coffee into the dry ingredients. Use an electric mixer to blend until a silky, consistent batter forms with no lumps visible.
4. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a testing tool into the center – it should emerge clean.
5. Caramel Infusion: Once cake has cooled slightly, use a wooden spoon handle to create strategic holes across the surface. Blend caramel sauce with sweetened condensed milk until perfectly smooth.
6. Finishing Touch: Pour caramel mixture over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every created channel. Refrigerate for 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and caramel to penetrate deeply.
7. Presentation: Before serving, drizzle chocolate sauce artfully across the top, transforming the dessert into a decadent culinary masterpiece ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Precision Preheat: Ensure exact 350°F oven temperature for consistent baking results.
• Surface Preparation: Thoroughly grease and flour pan to prevent cake sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Mixing Mastery: Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly before adding wet components to create smooth, lump-free batter.
• Caramel Infiltration: Create deep holes using wooden spoon handle to maximize caramel absorption throughout cake layers.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 364
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg