Peppermint Poke Cake (Printer-Friendly)
Chocolate cake filled with peppermint vanilla pudding, chilled and topped with whipped topping and crushed candies.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ Peppermint Pudding Filling
05 - 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
06 - 2 cups cold milk
07 - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
08 - 2 to 3 drops red or pink food coloring (optional)
→ Topping
09 - 1 tub (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
10 - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
11 - Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - In a large bowl, blend chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil using mixer or whisk until batter is smooth.
03 - Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
04 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the cake surface, about 1 inch apart.
06 - In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using) for about 2 minutes until thickened.
07 - Immediately pour and spread pudding evenly over the cake, gently pressing mixture into holes with a spatula.
08 - Cover cake and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until pudding is set.
09 - Spread thawed whipped topping evenly over chilled cake.
10 - Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies and chocolate shavings or mini chips, if desired.
11 - Slice and serve cake chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You secretly get to pour peppermint pudding all over a warm cake—nobody can quite guess the magic until they take a bite.
- It’s so easy to make ahead, and every bite is a harmony of soft cake, creamy pudding, and a satisfying peppermint crunch.
02 -
- If you rush the cooling step and pour pudding over a hot cake, you’ll end up with a soggy, slumpy mess.
- Letting the cake chill for a full hour makes all the difference—the flavors mingle beautifully, and the pudding firms up perfectly.
03 -
- Poke the cake all the way to the bottom—shallow holes won’t absorb the pudding and you’ll miss out on those hidden pockets of minty goodness.
- Using an offset spatula will give you the smoothest, most inviting topping ever.