This Death By Chocolate Poke Cake is for the serious chocolate lover! A chocolate cake that has been poked, filled, and covered with so much chocolate … Can you handle it?!
Death By Chocolate Poke Cake
Take my advice …. y’all might wanna sit down for this one. And say a prayer. Ask for forgiveness, because what you are about to see is a sin, I’m sure! You HAVE to make this Death By Chocolate Poke Cake – soon!!
What’s a girl to do when she wants chocolate? Go all out, of course! I seriously don’t think I could have stuffed much more chocolate into this cake without needing some sort of resuscitation! And we’re not talking about any kind of chocolate here folks …. when you have a serious chocolate deprivation, you go all out!
Feast your eyes upon this dark chocolate cake with luscious dark chocolate pudding and oozy dark chocolate topping ….. marry that with a divine mousse-like chocolate layer and for good measure, give it a full giant-sized dark chocolate bar. Be still my heart! I told y’all you would need to sit for this!
Some will call this cake a dream come true … and others will wonder what they got themselves into!! ? Apparently, I don’t need help finding temptation – I can find it all by myself! And I found it for you too! ? This would be a huge hit for any chocolate lover. Be forewarned, people WILL ask for the recipe so be sure to have it handy!
Recipe for Chocolate Poke Cake
- dark chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients listed on the box to make the cake
- instant Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Pudding mix
- milk
- Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate topping
- frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Hershey Dark Chocolate candy bar
How to make Chocolate Poke Cake
- Bake the cake according to package directions using a 9×13-in. baking pan.
- Mix one of the pudding mixes with the 2 cups of milk in a medium bowl. Poke holes in the hot cake with the round end of a wooden spoon and slowly pour this mixture over the cake, trying to fill the holes.
- Microwave the chocolate topping (with the lid off) for about 45 seconds or until it pours easily. Pour evenly over the top of the cake. Let the cake cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine the second pudding mix with the additional 2 cups of milk. Carefully fold in the Cool Whip. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle the chopped candy bar over the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Store the cake (covered) in the refrigerator.
Poke Cake Tips and Tricks
If you have questions about making Death By Chocolate Poke Cake recipe, I have answers! Take a look at this section before leaving a comment if you run into trouble or just want some suggestions.
- If you cannot find the Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Pudding at your local store – you may substitute any instant chocolate pudding in its place.
- I found the chocolate topping near the ice cream toppings at my local big box store.
Other poke cake recipes you may enjoy:
- Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
- Boozy Strawberry Margarita Poke Cake
- Waffle Cherry Brownie Poke Cake
- The Ode to Elvis Poke Cake
- Chocolate Wasted Poke Cake
Death By Chocolate Poke Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 package dark chocolate cake mix 15.25 oz.
- Ingredients listed on the box to make the cake
- 1 box instant Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Pudding mix 3.56 oz.
- 4 cups milk divided
- 1 box Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate topping 12.8 oz.
For the topping:
- 1 box instant Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Pudding mix 3.56 oz.
- 1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed 8 oz.
- 1 Giant Hershey Dark Chocolate candy bar, chopped 6.8 oz.
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to package directions using a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix the pudding mix with 2 cups of milk in a medium bowl. Poke holes in the hot cake with the round end of a wooden spoon and slowly pour this mixture over the cake, trying to fill the holes.
- Microwave the chocolate topping (with the lid off) for about 45 seconds or until it pours easily. Pour evenly over the top of the cake. Let the cake cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine the second pudding mix with the additional 2 cups of milk. Carefully fold in the whipped topping. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle the chopped candy bar over the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Store the cake (covered) in the refrigerator.
Notes
- If you cannot find the Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Pudding at your local store – you may substitute any instant chocolate pudding in its place.
- I found the chocolate topping near the ice cream toppings at my local big box store.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on July 25, 2016. Updated on June 21, 2020.
That looks extremely dangerous Jamie…it's probably best that I am no where near it haha. Great recipe!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
That's why you make sure you have help eating it 🙂 LOL Thanks for stopping by, Eric!
Oh my heck. If I'm gonna go, this is how I'd like too. Looks AMAZING!!!!
This is my kind of cake!! Looks wonderful. Visiting from Thriving on Thursdays. Would love to have you share it on the BBQ Block Party!
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning
http://www.easylifemealandpartyplanning.blogspot.com
Girla, you do want the death of me ! Awesome recipe 🙂
Oh my goodness, Jamie – this looks awesome and totally has my hubby's chocoholic name written all over it! Thanks for sharing and pinning! Have a wonderful Thursday!
OMG Jamie! I drooled all over my key board when I saw this! Just had to share on my FB page, thanks for linking up at Thursday's Treasures!
Now THIS is how to handle a chocolate craving! Pinned!!
Oh- seriously- I would eat the whole thing by myself. YUM!
Droooling… all over the keyboard…. Pinned and still drooling…. 🙂
This looks amazing! I found your link on Pinterest and I am definitely re-pinning to try later.
Holy Moly…now that is an insanely delicious looking cake!!! I already shared it on facebook to show my daughter. I tagged the chocoholic so she could see it 🙂 Maybe I will make it for her when she comes home next week!
Holy smokes! That sure makes the small 1oz bar of chocolate I just bought look pitiful. You are an evil temptress Jamie. But on the other side I know what kind of cake I'm making for my next family party.
I love any kind of poke cake and this looks divine!
If i cant find hershey pudding will jello chocolate work
Absolutely! You could even use any kind of chocolate interchangeably – from the cake mix, to the pudding, and even the candy bar! 🙂
Does the cake need to be refrigerated after the first serving? Or is this a eat all at once poke cake?
Jamie, This Poke Cake looks delicious! =)
Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Love this Jamie! Looks rich but light, is that possible? Thanks for linking up at Sat. Dishes. pinned!
I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen so much chocolate stuffed into one dish before. Pass me a plate and fork, because I'm staying!!
You take a plate and fork and I’ll take a Shovel ! ha ! wow it does look good !
Oh, my. I'm sunk. But oh what a way to go! Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday.
Mmmm! The more chocolate the better I say! 😀 This cake is outrageous…I just wouldn't trust myself alone with this 😉
Found your blog through Food Friday and am now following!
xo,
Tammy
This is DEFINITELY deserving of the name! Holy moly – CHOCOLATE LOVER'S DREAM! 🙂
Wow! Can I just dive in head first? This is my kind of cake 🙂 Pinning!
Thanks for bringing this over to Saturday Dishes. Love it!
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda@Tumbleweed Contessa
That looks amazing! I just tried a poke cake for the first time last year and liked it! Tiffany
I love poke cakes. So moist and wonderful. This one is to die for! So much wonderful chocolate!
Thanks for sharing at the In and Out of the Kitchen Party! I am so glad you dropped by!
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
omg pin'd to my Gonna Do board! Found this via Marvelous Mondays 🙂
You had me at death by chocolate. I could literally taste the cake from the picture! Hugs, Holly
http://coconutheadsurvivalguide.com/blog/
I'm a chocoholic and this is just making me drool right now! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Ritchil
http://chengand3kids.blogspot.com/
AH! Looks fabulous Jamie..very dangerous to have around my house 🙂 Thanks for linking up at Share your Stuff Tuesdays..hope to see you again next week!
Erin @ Table for Seven
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious! Thank you for sharing on Blog Stalking Thursday! I have featured your project on Blog Stalking Thursday Features YOU! The post is going live later tonight. I would love for you to stop by and grab a feature button. Thanks again for sharing!
This does look sinful, but I'd love to try it, lol. Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
MMMmmmmmm kill me twice!! Stopping by from the blog hop to say hey!
Congratulations…this post was featured on Create It Thursday #8! Thanks so much for linking up such a fabulous idea last week! http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-8-plus-features.html
I don't want to die, but I definitely want to eat this cake. Yumm!
Sherri@MadeFromPinterest.net
Jamie this looks beyond delicious!! I'm featuring this on tomorrow's Show & Share Wednesday link party. See you there!
This one will be for my chocoholic son in law's birthday coming up! for what it's worth
Hi! I made this cake last night but had some confusion over the first pudding mix that you pour in the holes when mixed with milk. Should it be completely liquidy or do you refrigerate it at all so it starts to thicken?
Hi Nic! Thanks for your question! You do pour it right after it's mixed – it should start to thicken slightly. You can use the back of a spoon to help push it in the holes if it gets too thick to pour! Hope that helps!
ok, that's exactly where I went wrong but I added more milk to make it more liquidy and it worked for the most part. Good thing I'm making it again this weekend!
Thanks!
WOWZA! That is death by chocolate… What a way to go! 😉 -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Featured on my 9 pudding and jello post this week. 🙂
You are a horrible person…..posting this recipe and making me drool and want to make it. I cannot buy any of the ingredients used. 🙁
I'm so sorry, Mrs B! You could make a from scratch chocolate cake and use homemade chocolate pudding in place of the mixes! I hope that helps 🙂
Now I know what a poke cake is!! I a HUGE fan of dark chocolate so I am in LOVE with this. I will absolutely be making it. Thank you…and happy SITS Day!
Pretty sure I sinned just looking at the Dark Chocolate Poke Cake! I'll be making this one in the future!
Well, what can I say – seriously sinful is right! I have a daughter for whom chocolate is sort of a food group, so I'll be giving it a try for her. Hope I can resist from overindulging. Have a wonderful SITS day!
OMGeeee! That looks and sounds so decadent and Delish! Someone may have to 'poke' me when I finish eating it…LOL
It looks so delicious. I've made a poke cake years ago for the 4th of July. It was a white cake with strawberry jello covered in cool whip. Then to truly make it patriotic–strawberries and blue berries to make a flag. It was delicious. Thanks for the recipe. Enjoy your SITS Day.
YUUMMMMYYYYY! I have never heard of poke cake before. I'll have to give this a try. Thank you!
Oh yummy! I can definitely see that your blog is going to be a danger to my waistline! ;P I hope you're having an awesome SITS Day, congrats to you!!! This cake looks absolutely wonderful, I hope mine would turn out as delish as this… 😀
Oh my gosh, I think I just gained 12 pounds just looking at that picture!!! 🙂
Happy SITS Day! This cake looks awesome and sounds like something even I could make!
You had me at chocolate! Happy SITS day, late!
Hi. I somehow stumbled on your page and this recipe and have been dying to try it out (felt too guilty to make it for myself lol). My friend just asked me to bake something for her grad party tomorrow and I immediately thot of this. I'm thinking of baking into cupcakes instead of cake form but I'm nervous about two things: 1) how do I do the pokes in cupcakes? Same way as you wrote it? or will that be too much hole for cupcake?. 2) I love whip cream as frosting but will it make the cupcakes soggy? Any advice on how to proceed ? A big THANK YOU from a first timee:)
Thanks for stopping by, Bushra! I have never attempted to make one of these kinds of cakes into cupcakes, and I am not really sure how it would turn out. Knowing what I know about this cake, I'm not sure I would try it on this particular recipe. The pudding makes the cake VERY moist – and I believe it would make it difficult to eat in a cupcake form.
Oh Lord! I don't often follow many recipes….but, this is an exception! My hubby is a death by chocolate-aholic, so I have to try this one for him and I pinned it! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Our family does a lot of get together's & they are always looking for new
& different dessert's & Boy-O-Boy, I sure do have one right here for them all to try!! ..
Thank's a bunch Jamie for sharing this & all of your other recipes with us here on facebook!!
Your A Peach!! .. <3.. 🙂 ..
Just made this, but i only used 1/2 of the hershey's chocolate spread and mixed it with 1 cup of peanut butter, then i added 1 cup of PB to the whipped topping mix and chopped up reeses PB cups for the top. O.M.G. divine.
I just made this cake last night and it came out looking EXACTLY like the picture, which does not always happen. And the name of the cake is perfect because I felt like I was in Heaven while I was eating. I don't normally comment on recipes but I had to, this was the best dessert ever! And Hershey's should send you a check!
Does the cake taste equally as good with a regular chocolate pudding? Just nervous since they no longer make or sell the Hershey's Dark Chocolate pudding mix :-(. Will take any and all suggestions since I am making this tomorrow for a birthday get together:-).
Sorry I am just seeing this, Tandra! You can you regular instant chocolate pudding in place of the dark chocolate pudding! I know it can be hard to find sometimes – but I assure you, it will still be just as great! 🙂
Is there a substitute for the topping? I can’t find it anywhere. Only find hot fudge.
any kind of chocolate or fudge topping can be used as long as it’s about the same amount.
I was able to buy the pudding mix here in Wisconsin
God Bless you Jamie! I have had physical reactions to food, some good and some not so good…if you know what I mean? Until now though, I had never had a physical reaction to seeing a photo of a recipe! I literally teared up, then I had a brief auditory hallucination of angels singing, followed by an overwhelming need to get out of my chair and get to a grocery store…stat! Oh and nevermind the goosebumps! Death by chocolate poke cake…well I'm ready to meet my maker!
This cake Must Surly be served in Heaven ! What a heavenly dessert !Blessing’s, Linda
Should this be refrigerated? And also, can it all be put together the night before? Thanks!
Yes, this cake needs to be kept refrigerated – and yes, it can be made the night before. 🙂
I think I passed out and face planted the cake and woke up licking my face!
I knew heaven would be like this 😀
Thank you for sharing will be making it
Although im in Australia and do not have all hersey products available but I will make it work.
Joanne
I passed out ..face planted the cake and woke up licking my face. I knew heaven would be like this!. Thank you for sharing and I dont normally comment but I too had as well.
Look Delicious!!! Can’t wait to try it. The top layer does not look like dark hershy chocolate bar chopped. It is dusted in something before adding for that lighter colour?
My son requested a chocolate upon chocolate dessert for his birthday. I do believe that the death by chocolate poke cake will do just fine.
I have a comment. In the first part where it says to mix one box of pudding and the 2 cups milk, do I just stir and pour over the cake or, beat it stiff? I want to do this right.
Yes, just make it like normal. It is easier to pour before it sets up completely – but if it does start to set up, just use the back of a spatula to help spread and slightly push it into the holes in the cake.
I cannot find Hershey’s Special Dark Topping, not at any store in person and not on the computer it is sold out et every store that carries it, what would you recommend to replace? thank you, eileen
Any chocolate sauce that is close to the same size should work! I prefer the chocolate ice cream toppings as they tend to be slightly thicker! Hope that helps! ?
Oh my goodness! I think its a good thing Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Pudding was BOGO last week – before I saw this recipe.Pinning
Sheila
I am not a fan of dark chocolate, I know it is healthier for you, but can you make this with regular milk chocolate? Thanks so much for your reply. The recipe really looks wonderful, would like to try it with regular choc.
Did you end up making this with milk chocolate? I don’t like dark chocolate much either
You can totally use milk chocolate in place of the dark chocolate if you prefer – it’s just as yummy!
Can you use sugarfree chocolate pudding. This cake looks delicious. But I am a diabetic and was wondering if sugarfree pudding would be okay to use.
That should be fine! ?
The chocolate topping is it hershey chocolate shell or the hot fudge topping or is just the syrup?
Thanks for asking! It is just the regular hot fudge topping.
I looovvveee this recipe!!! It was absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Just my humble opinion, but, thinking Baileys added to the frosting might JUUUST finish this off nicely🙃….
Definitely curbed my PMS chocolate cravings! Plus a huge hit with the family! Only suggestion… next time I would put the chocolate sauce drizzled on top with the chocolate chips. When I tried to spread the cool whip/pudding mix, it seemed to slide the sauce to the edges and down the sides of the cake. Not that it hurt the dessert AT ALL!! Just a thought for next time!
Can this cake be frozen? Can I bake it ahead like three days?
I have never frozen one but it should be ok as long as you wrap it really well in plastic wrap!
Is it hot fudge that u r using for the special dark chocolate topping. I’m making for my movie night on Saturday and I dont understand the topping sauce. Couldn’t find it in my food store.
Thanks so much for the question, Dana. Any kind of hot fudge or chocolate sauce will work here. When I made this recipe initially, there was a kind called special dark chocolate topping – and it may not be available everywhere. All the best, Jamie
This was fabulous! Chocolatey, creamy, cool. Perfect end to a great dinner. THANK YOU!!!
Need help, my frosting did not come out thick but liquidity, I tried putting in refrig overnite, still not thick. Any suggestions. Thanks, otherwise super easy.
I’m not sure what happened. Just trying to troubleshoot … It may be the kind of milk you used or maybe the pudding mix and milk needed mixed longer to thicken properly? I’m really not sure.
Do you think this would hold together as a layer cake?
I’ve never tried so I can’t really answer this. If you do give it a try as a layer cake, I would love for you to come back and let me know how it turned out in case someone else has the same question.
Great Recipe! I made for my wife’s birthday! It turned out great. We’re not a fan of Hershey’s chocolate, so we used other higher end brands (Godiva, Lindt) and made our cake from scratch. Again, a great recipe!
Does it need to be refrigerated before serving??
Yes. You’ll need to let it have time to set up.
Could I make cupcakes with this? Also how long do I mix the milk and pudding?
I’ve never tried making cupcakes so I’m not sure how they would turn out. If you give it a try, I would love to hear back about how it went. Also, you’ll want to mix it until it is well combined.
Is there a link for the actual recipe?? I’d like to try it but not finding
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
I have the picture, the list of ingredients and all the comments, but the recipe is gone!! Could you please re-post it or email it to me?
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Way too hard to just find the recipe on this site!
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Where is the recipe? Not here!
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Where is the recipe for the Death by Chocolate Poke Cake? Went thru all comments to get to recipe card…nothing. Found ingredients but not how it’s made!
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
I know I am probably being dumb, but I cannot find how to get the recipe on this cake. I am so sorry to bother you with this!
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
I’ve scrolled through this page for the death by chocolate poke cake multiple times, on both mobile and desktop computer, and can’t locate a recipe card or instructions. Have they been taken down? I would love to try this recipe.
Sorry! There was a hiccup with the website but it is fixed now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
I just made this. Waiting for it cool and add the topping. I have no doubt it will be awesome. My boyfriend was standing by me watching me spread the pudding and fudge topping. He’s drooling already. Lol. I did use milk chocolate cake mix, pudding and fudge cuz he isn’t a dark chocolate fan. He always has a sweet tooth and he was scrolling through Pinterest and seen the pic and said he wanted this cake! Off to the store we went! Looking forward to eat it tonight for dessert!!
Just finished making this. It looks decadent! Inviting family over to share so I don’t eat all of it!
Made this for work and everyone loved it! I had multiole servings myself. Just delicious! Followed the recipe exactly. Will definitely make again!!!
This looks amazing!! I bought chocolate milk to use instead. I will be making this for a college football game tomorrow! Go Hawkeyes!!
I made this for my son’s 17th birthday. He is a chocoholic so I thought this would be perfect. My whole family including me took one bite and our eyes glazed over and we just kept spooning it into our mouths 😁 I made it with devils food cake mix and regular jell-o brand chocolate pudding and Hershey’s special dark fudge sauce. I forgot to buy the candy bar so I put mini chocolate chips on top that I had on hand. This is a definite keeper recipe!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
This cake was amazing!!! We will be making this one a lot. All the boys are raving about this cake. Thank you for the recipe!!!
I’ve made this 2 times! Amazingly good. Just make sure the middle of the cake is done or it turns out to soft, almost raw. It’s an awesome poke cake and one I know I’ll make many times over!
Can you use regular chocolate frosting on top instead of the whipped topping one?
Can you use chocolate frosting on top instead of the cool whip topping?
Sure!
This cake was amazing! Tq!
I made this sheet cake over the weekend and it came out great. The whole family absolutely loved it. So good and fairly easy to make. One of the best chocolate cakes I have ever made.
The first time I made it I accidentally used regular chocolate frosting after putting it in the microwave to pour on the top. As it turned out my husband loved it like that so I made it that way the second time just so you know it was great!!