This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Chocolate Poke Cake is pure “death by chocolate” — ultra moist, rich, and layered with pudding and hot fudge in every bite. It’s rich, ultra-moist, and layered with chocolate flavor from top to bottom — yet simple enough to make for birthdays, potlucks, or last-minute gatherings.
What makes this recipe special is how effortlessly indulgent it is. A soft chocolate cake gets poked and soaked with warm chocolate pudding, layered with warm hot fudge, then finished with a fluffy whipped topping. If you love classic chocolate desserts, be sure to try Hershey’s Chocolate Cake (the top of my chocolate cake pillar!), plus Texas Sheet Cake, Coca-Cola Cake, and Chocolate Bundt Cake — all crowd-pleasing favorites for every kind of chocolate craving.
What Is Death by Chocolate Poke Cake?
This is an ultra-rich chocolate poke cake made with layers of chocolate cake, pudding, and hot fudge. As the filling sinks into the cake, it creates a super moist, almost fudge-like texture in every bite — which is exactly why it earns the name “death by chocolate.”
Frequently Asked Questions
✦ What is a poke cake?
A poke cake is a baked cake that’s poked with holes and then filled with a liquid or semi-liquid topping, like pudding or sweetened condensed milk, so it soaks into the cake and makes it extra moist.
✦ Can I make chocolate poke cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake is actually better when made ahead. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until serving.
✦ Why didn’t my pudding soak into the cake?
This usually happens if the cake cooled too much before poking the holes or if the pudding was too thick. Make sure the cake is still slightly warm and the pudding is pourable so it can sink into the holes.
✦ Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
You can, but keep in mind that stabilized whipped topping holds up longer. If using homemade whipped cream, serve the cake the same day for best texture.
✦ Do I have to use hot fudge sauce?
Hot fudge adds richness and deep chocolate flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer a lighter cake. The pudding alone will still give you a classic chocolate poke cake.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments — I love helping you cook with confidence! 💗
More Chocolate Cake Recipes You’ll Love
Hershey’s Chocolate Cake — rich, ultra-moist, and the go-to classic chocolate cake everyone needs in their recipe box.
Texas Sheet Cake — a thin, fudgy chocolate cake topped with warm chocolate frosting that soaks right in.
Coca-Cola Cake — soft, nostalgic, and loaded with deep chocolate flavor thanks to that classic Southern twist.
Chocolate Bundt Cake — dense, moist, and perfect when you want a simple, slice-and-serve chocolate dessert.
Chocolate Pound Cake — buttery, rich, and deeply chocolatey with a tight crumb that’s perfect for slicing.
S’mores Cupcakes: — all the best parts of s’mores layered into a fun, chocolatey dessert with marshmallow and graham cracker.
💗Tried This Recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a moment to leave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and a quick comment — I love hearing from you and it helps our community of bakers and cooks! Tip for mobile readers: scroll just a bit to tap the stars — thank you!
And while you’re here, don’t miss the next cozy recipe — subscribe to my totally FREE newsletter so you’ll always have comfort food favorites at your fingertips.
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! 💗 Kathleen
Chocolate Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the boxed
- 2 (3.56 -ounce) boxes instant chocolate pudding divided
- 4 cups whole milk divided
- 2 jars hot fudge topping
- 1 (8-ounce) tub Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Prepared the chocolate cake mix per the box instructions using any added ingredients the box calls for. Bake in a 9X13-inch pan.
- While the cake is just finished baking, mix 1 box of instant chocolate pudding mix with 2 cups of whole milk. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes. Using the end of a wooden spoon or a drinking straw, poke holes in the warm cake. Spread pudding mixture over warm cake using an offset spatula to try and push pudding down into holes.
- Microwave 1 of the jars of Hot Fudge Sauce for a few seconds to soften it, (I did mine for 10 seconds), and pour it over the pudding layer then use an offset spatula to gently spread it evenly over the pudding layer.
- Mix the second box of pudding with the remaining 2 cups of milk: to the pudding mixture gently fold in thawed Cool Whip. Gently spread Cool Whip and pudding mixture evenly over the Hot Fudge Layer.
- Microwave the second jar of hot fudge for a few seconds to soften it, (I did mine for 10 seconds), and drizzle a decorative crisscross pattern of the hot fudge over the Cool Whip Pudding layer. I only ended up using 1/2 the jar but use however much you'd like!
- Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours and serve!
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Refrigerate: This recipe has a lot of steps, but each step is really easy and fairly quick to complete. Don’t skip the refrigerating time! The cake needs to firm up enough to cut nicely!
- Microwave: I microwaved my Hot Fudge Sauce to soften it up a bit and make it easier to spread. I microwaved mine for 10 seconds. If your microwave runs hot cut back the time the first time you try it.
Nutrition
Adapted From Allrecipes
Reader Interactions
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] more About Quadruple Chocolate Poke Cake aka Death By Chocolate Poke Cake! – Gonna Want Seconds […]
-
[…] (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Click here to read more […]
-
[…] Quadruple Chocolate Poke Cake (Death By Chocolate Poke Cake) Read the Recipe: http://www.gonnawantseconds.com/2015/02/quadruple-chocolate-poke-cake-aka-death-by-chocolate-poke-ca… […]
-
[…] Read the Recipe: http://www.gonnawantseconds.com/2015/02/quadruple-chocolate-poke-cake-aka-death-by-chocolate-poke-ca… […]












Every weekend i used to go to see this site, as i want enjoyment,
as this this site conations genuinely good funny information too.
Thank you!
My nephew asked for a REALLY CHOCOLATE CAKE for his birthday. I found this cake on Pinterest. We added a little bit more chocolate.
We added mini chocolate chips to the cake and made our pudding with chocolate milk. My other nephew who is NOT a big chocolate said it was the best chocolate cake he has ever had in his entire life (10yrs old) LOL.
Thank You for letting me give my nephew the BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER!!!
Hi Kim. Oh, I’m so so happy to hear your family enjoyed the cake!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. The chocolate chips are a really great idea, btw!!!
Good Afternoon Kathleen, I have never heard of a Poke cake before, but I have to tell you, as a lover of chocolate, your scrummy Poke cake looks absolutely fabulous. I just know my family will love this cake, and I am really looking forward to trying it.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you Daphne! I hope you make it soon and enjoy it!