Peppermint Poke Cake (Printable)
Chocolate cake soaked with minty vanilla pudding, chilled and topped with whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ Pudding Filling
05 - 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
06 - 2 cups cold milk
07 - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
08 - 2–3 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. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and oil. Mix with an electric mixer or hand whisk following package guidelines until smooth and well blended.
03 - Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
04 - Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to create holes over the cake surface, spacing each about 1 inch apart.
05 - In a medium bowl, whisk instant pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring until thickened, approximately 2 minutes.
06 - Gently pour pudding over the cooled cake, using a spatula to spread and press pudding into the holes for even absorption.
07 - Cover and refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour, ensuring the pudding sets before adding toppings.
08 - Evenly spread thawed whipped topping across the entire surface of the chilled cake.
09 - Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies and chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips, if desired, over the topping for added flavor and decoration.
10 - Slice chilled cake and serve. For best texture, keep cake refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get an incredibly moist cake with streaks of creamy peppermint pudding in every bite—it looks fancier than the effort required.
- It doubles beautifully as a festive centerpiece and a reliable, make-ahead treat that friends will always request.
02 -
- If the pudding sits too long before pouring, it thickens and won’t seep into the cake’s crevices—move fast for maximum soak.
- Adding peppermint extract straight to the cake batter can push the mint flavor overboard, so go easy and taste as you go.
03 -
- Don’t skip poking enough holes—each one is a guarantee of pudding-packed forkfuls.
- A light hand with the peppermint is your secret weapon; it’s easy to overpower the other flavors.