Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

Get ready to dive into your new favorite sweet treat, aka peanut butter chocolate poke cake!

It’s fudgy, creamy, and full of peanut butter goodness.

It all starts with soft, rich devil’s food cake. Over that, you’ll spread dreamy hot fudge sauce, which seeps into the sponge, making it even more decadent.

But that’s not even the best part! It’s finished with a luxurious layer of peanut butter frosting.

One bite and you’ll be in dessert bliss. 

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

Decadent & Moist: The poke cake method makes this dessert extra moist as the chocolatey goodness seeps into every bite.

Time-Saver: With a boxed cake mix as the base, this recipe offers a shortcut to a gourmet-tasting treat.

Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: With its bold flavors and unique texture, it’s always a hit at gatherings, leaving everyone asking for seconds!

Make-Ahead: This cake can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making it perfect for busy hosts or last-minute dessert cravings.

Ingredients

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix: It’s a rich, ultra-moist cake that needs eggs, oil, and water.

• Hot Fudge Sauce: Poured over the cake, it adds a rich chocolatey layer that seeps into every bite.

• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy richness to the peanut butter layer, balancing the sweetness.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Thick and sweet, it adds extra creaminess to the topping.

• Creamy Peanut Butter: Provides a smooth, nutty flavor that complements the chocolate cake, creating a classic combination.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors of the peanut butter and cream cheese mixture.

• Cool Whip (optional): The topping is amazing without it, but if you want something light and fluffy, fold it in with the peanut butter mixture.

• Toppings: You can add any toppings you like, such as chocolate chips, caramel, more fudge sauce, chopped nuts, or peanut butter cups.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

This dessert is an absolute dream come true for any peanut butter and chocolate lovers out there.

And thanks to a few shortcuts, it’s a cinch to make!

1. PREHEAT the oven and bake the cake according to the package instructions.

2. POKE holes all over the top of the warm cake using a spoon, skewer, or fork. Do not poke all the way through the cake.

3. MICROWAVE the hot fudge sauce in 20-second intervals until smooth. Pour it evenly over the cake.

4. BEAT the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth again.

5. ADD the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Beat until combined. Fold in Cool Whip, if desired.

6. SPREAD the peanut butter mixture over the cooled cake. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

7. TOP with any desired toppings. Serve and enjoy!

Tips For the Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

This poke cake is an absolute showstopper.

It’s the perfect indulgence for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating a special event or just treating yourself on a cozy night in.

But before you start, check out these tips.

• Cake mix brand. Use a high-quality devil’s food cake mix and follow the package instructions to ensure a moist and flavorful base.

• Poke even holes. I like to use a skewer or fork so the hot fudge seeps into more of the sponge. But a wooden spoon works well, too. Either way, make evenly spaced holes so you get some sauce in every bite.

• Don’t poke all the way through. If you poke until you hit the bottom of the dish, the sauce will pool underneath and make it soggy. Instead, poke about halfway down.

• Warm the fudge sauce. It’ll make it pourable and will help it seep into the sponge more effectively.

• Creamy peanut butter. Don’t use natural PB. It’s too oily and won’t give you a smooth topping.

• Cool Whip? I like the topping thick, but if you want it airy, fold in the Cool Whip.

• Chill to set. Refrigerate for a couple of hours so the topping will set and the flavors will meld.

• Variations. Use caramel instead of fudge sauce, Nutella instead of peanut butter, whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, and any number of fun toppings. Make it your own!

How to Store

I can’t wait for you all to try this peanut butter chocolate poke cake and fall in love with it just like I have!

Just remember to store it properly so it stays soft and fudgy!

To Store: Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to five days.

Note: I don’t recommend freezing this poke cake. I can’t guarantee how the topping will thaw – it might become grainy or watery.

More Poke Cakes You’ll Love

Butter Pecan Praline Poke Cake
Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake
German Chocolate Poke Cake
Oreo Poke Cake