Save
Unbeatable German Chocolate Poke Cake Delight
The moment I whipped up this German Chocolate Poke Cake, my whole place smelled incredible. Every bite is loaded with gooey caramel and extra-deep chocolate that just melts in your mouth. Whenever I show up to a get-together with it, folks always come back for another slice and pester me for how I made it.
Magic Behind This Incredible Cake
Here's the real trick: after baking, I poke a bunch of holes into the cake and let warm sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce sink right in. The coconut and pecans tossed on top bring awesome little bits of crunch.
What You’ll Need
- Chopped Pecans: 1/2 cup for a rich nutty crunch.
- Shredded Coconut: 1/2 cup for a chewy tropical twist.
- Chocolate Chips: 1/2 cup for extra chocolatey bites everywhere.
- Chocolate Frosting: 1/2 cup, melt so you can drizzle it over.
- Caramel Frosting: 1/2 cup, also melted for drizzling on top.
- Caramel Sauce: 1 cup to soak in even more caramel flavor.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: 1 cup, keeps things moist and sweet.
- German Chocolate Cake Mix: 1 box, just mix following the instructions on the box.
Let’s Whip This Up
- Let It Rest
- Set the cake aside for at least half an hour so those flavors can chill together before slicing.
- Drizzle on Frosting
- Pop both frostings in the microwave till they’re nice and runny then zigzag them across the top.
- Add the Yummy Toppings
- Scatter the coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans evenly all over.
- Poke N’ Soak
- Use the back end of a wooden spoon to make holes all over your cake then pour on sweetened condensed milk and then caramel sauce.
- Bake Up Your Cake
- Follow the directions on your cake mix, pour it in your greased baking dish, bake, and let it cool off a bit.
- Preheat & Prep
- Fire up the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your big rectangular dish (9x13 inches).
Save
My Go-To Tricks
Honestly, make those holes good and deep so everything soaks through. Sometimes chilling it in the fridge for a few hours makes it even richer, if you can wait that long.
Mix It Up
If someone's not into nuts, just swap the pecans for extra coconut. Sometimes I’ll add a bit of pineapple or toast the coconut ahead. Either way, whenever I try a new spin, this treat disappears lightning fast at parties.
Tastes Even Better With
Warm up a slice and drop a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top—it’s unbelievable. My husband grabs his with a mug of coffee while the kids will only eat it with a giant glass of milk.
How to Store
Any leftovers? Throw them in a sealed container in the fridge. They’re good for about 5 days, though at my place, they’re gone way sooner. Pop it in the microwave quick to make it taste like it just came out of the oven.
Save
What Makes This So Good
Every time I bring out this cake, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. It looks really impressive but honestly, it’s super simple. With all those fun textures and rich flavors, there’s always a reason to share it, whether it’s for a special dinner or birthday.
Final Thoughts
This version of German Chocolate Poke Cake takes the original up a notch with drizzles of caramel and condensed milk inside. Coconut, pecans, and two types of frosting on top make it perfect for celebrations.
Recipe FAQs
- → Is it okay to prepare this cake in advance?
Definitely! Bake it 1 or 2 days before serving. The flavors actually get better when left in the fridge. Just keep it covered for best results.
- → How many holes are enough for poking the cake?
Make about 1-inch gaps between the holes over the entire cake. The holes should be deep enough for the filling but not so deep that they go through the bottom.
- → Can I freeze the cake?
It's possible, but freezing isn't ideal. The fillings might change texture, and the coconut and pecans can turn soggy when thawed.
- → Why is it named German Chocolate Cake?
It’s named after Samuel German, who created the chocolate blend used in the recipe. Funny enough, this cake has American roots, not German ones.
- → Is there a way to make this without dairy?
Sure! Switch condensed milk with coconut milk and use dairy-free chocolate chips. Be sure to also grab dairy-free options for the cake mix and frostings.