Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

Dreamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Indulging in a chocolate peanut butter poke cake means diving into a dessert that promises pure bliss.

Layers of rich chocolate cake beckon with irresistible charm.

Creamy peanut butter swirls promise decadent moments of pure satisfaction.

Sweet pockets filled with smooth, luscious goodness await each eager spoon.

Moist crumbs soak up delightful flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Soft textures and intense chocolate notes create a symphony of deliciousness.

You won’t be able to resist this ultimate comfort dessert that brings joy in every single bite.

Why Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Is A Rich Treat

  • Customize with Ease: Transform a simple boxed cake mix into a decadent dessert by adding just a few extra ingredients, making it perfect for home bakers of all skill levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Combination: Indulge in the irresistible blend of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and sweet condensed milk that creates a mouthwatering treat everyone will love.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Impact: Create an impressive dessert with minimal kitchen effort, using basic pantry staples and simple techniques that deliver restaurant-worthy results.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this cake in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together and making it ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

Cake Base:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix: A packaged mix that serves as the foundation for this decadent dessert.
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter: A creamy spread that adds rich, nutty flavor and helps fill the cake's holes.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: A sweet, thick milk that adds moisture and richness to the cake.
  • Hot Fudge Sauce: A chocolate sauce that provides additional indulgence and flavor.
Garnish:
  • Whipped Topping: A light and fluffy cream that adds a smooth texture to the cake.
  • Peanuts: Chopped nuts that provide a crunchy contrast to the soft cake.

Instructions For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

Step 1: Whip Up Chocolate Cake Base

Grab your chocolate cake mix and follow the package directions to create a delicious chocolate cake in a baking pan. Bake until perfectly done and golden brown.

Step 2: Create Delightful Holes

Take the handle end of a wooden spoon and gently poke holes all across the warm cake surface. Make sure the holes are evenly distributed to allow maximum flavor absorption.

Step 3: Drizzle Creamy Peanut Butter

Warm the peanut butter in the microwave until smooth and runny. Carefully pour the melted peanut butter over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole for maximum flavor.

Step 4: Add Sweet Milk Magic

Slowly pour sweetened condensed milk over the cake, allowing the liquid to flow into the holes and create a moist, decadent texture.

Step 5: Splash Chocolate Fudge

Heat the hot fudge sauce until warm and pourable. Generously drizzle the chocolate fudge across the cake, covering the surface and filling the remaining holes.

Step 6: Chill and Set

Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it cool and set for at least one hour. This helps the flavors meld and the cake become wonderfully dense.

Step 7: Finish with Fluffy Topping

Spread a generous layer of whipped topping across the entire cake surface. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.

Tips For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

  • Ensure cake is completely cooled before poking holes to prevent crumbling and maintain structural integrity.
  • Warm peanut butter helps it flow easily into cake holes, creating rich, creamy pockets of flavor throughout the dessert.
  • Use room temperature sweetened condensed milk for better absorption into cake's surface and deeper penetration.
  • Refrigerate cake for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and develop a more cohesive, decadent texture.
  • Chop peanuts finely for a more even distribution and better crunch when sprinkled on top of whipped topping.

Flavor Variations For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

  • Nutty Caramel Creation: Replace hot fudge with caramel sauce and swap peanuts for chopped pecans for a rich, buttery flavor profile.
  • Berry Chocolate Blast: Add raspberry preserves between cake layers and top with fresh raspberries for a fruity chocolate experience.
  • Coffee Mocha Sensation: Mix espresso powder into the cake batter and drizzle with mocha-flavored condensed milk for an intense coffee kick.
  • Salted Chocolate Extravaganza: Sprinkle sea salt over the top and use dark chocolate sauce instead of hot fudge for a sophisticated dessert variation.

Best Pairings For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

  • Pair Smooth Chocolate Indulgence with Bold Red Wine: A rich, full-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon complements the deep chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the cake's sweetness with its robust tannins.
  • Enhance Dessert with Creamy Coffee Companion: Serve a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino alongside the cake, allowing the coffee's warm, roasted notes to highlight the chocolate and peanut butter's rich undertones.
  • Create Textural Contrast with Salty Snack: Scatter additional roasted, salted peanuts around the plate to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the cake's soft, decadent layers, elevating the overall taste experience.

Storage Instructions For Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

  • Transfer cake to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap cake securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to protect from freezer burn.
  • Let cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Slice and enjoy chilled or at cool room temperature for best flavor.
  • Remove cake from freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Unwrap and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore texture.

Common Questions About Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

  • Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix?

Yes, you can definitely use a homemade chocolate cake recipe. Just ensure the cake is baked and cooled before adding the peanut butter and other toppings.

  • Do I need to warm the peanut butter?

Warming the peanut butter for about 30 seconds helps it become more liquid and easier to pour into the cake holes, ensuring better absorption.

  • How deep should I make the holes in the cake?

Use the end of a wooden spoon to create holes about halfway through the cake’s depth. Don’t make them too large or too small – aim for consistent, evenly spaced holes.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet chocolate layers meld with creamy peanut butter in this irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake. Indulgent dessert pockets promise rich flavor and delightful texture that will satisfy intense cravings with each delectable slice.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix

Creamy Fillings:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 jar hot fudge sauce

Toppings:

  • 1 container whipped topping
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and craft the chocolate cake following package guidelines at recommended temperature.
  2. After baking, extract a wooden spoon handle to systematically puncture uniform holes across the entire cake surface.
  3. Gently warm peanut butter in microwave until fluid, then meticulously cascade over cake, ensuring complete penetration into created cavities.
  4. Methodically drizzle sweetened condensed milk across cake, allowing liquid to infiltrate deep into punctured zones.
  5. Slightly heat hot fudge sauce until pourable, then generously distribute over cake’s surface.
  6. Chill cake in refrigerator for approximately 60 minutes to allow layers to thoroughly merge and set.
  7. Crown cake with delicate layer of whipped topping, then garnish with finely chopped peanuts for textural contrast and visual appeal before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure cake is completely cooled before adding peanut butter to prevent crumbling and maintain structural integrity.
  • Warm peanut butter helps it flow smoothly into cake holes, creating delicious pockets of nutty flavor throughout the dessert.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix or substitute with almond flour-based cake recipe.
  • Consider reducing sweetened condensed milk for less sugary version or using sugar-free alternatives for diabetic-friendly option.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes (baking)
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 456 kcal
  • Sugar: 37 g
  • Sodium: 270 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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