Peppermint Poke Cake (Printable)
Chocolate poke cake with peppermint vanilla filling, chilled and finished with whipped topping and crushed candy.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ For the 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)
→ For the 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)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - Combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly following package directions until batter is smooth.
03 - Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
04 - Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes on a wire rack.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, create evenly spaced holes across the cake surface about 1 inch apart.
06 - In a medium bowl, whisk instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring, if using, until thickened, approximately 2 minutes.
07 - Pour and gently spread pudding mixture over the cake, ensuring even distribution and pressing pudding into holes with a spatula.
08 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or 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 present chilled.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Your guests will marvel at the festive swirl revealed with every slice, making you look like a cake magician.
- I was surprised how ridiculously easy it was to get that bakery-style finish with just a few pantry staples.
02 -
- I once poured the pudding too soon and ended up with a soggy bottom, so let the cake cool a bit first!
- Chilling overnight intensifies the mint flavor and makes slicing super tidy.
03 -
- Press the pudding gently with a spatula to push it deep into the holes—don’t rush this step.
- Letting the cake chill for several hours keeps the whipped topping light and the peppermint bits crunchy.