Sinful Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

Sweet Escape: Irresistible Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

Chocolate lovers rejoice as this decadent chocolate coconut poke cake recipe promises pure bliss in every single bite.

Layers of rich, moist chocolate cake blend seamlessly with creamy coconut goodness.

Each forkful delivers a tropical escape that will make taste buds dance with delight.

The carefully crafted dessert combines deep chocolate notes with sweet, nutty coconut undertones.

Holes punched strategically throughout the cake allow luscious filling to seep into every crevice.

Soft, dreamy, and utterly irresistible, this cake transforms an ordinary moment into a celebration.

Dive into this culinary adventure and let your senses be swept away by an unforgettable dessert experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 13

Decadent Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake: Ingredient Rundown

For Cake Base:
  • Cake Mix: Provides the foundational structure and fluffy texture for the cake, selecting a high-quality mix ensures better results.
  • Instant Pudding Mix: Adds extra moisture and richness, opt for vanilla or chocolate flavor to enhance cake's depth.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a smooth, cohesive batter, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs.
  • Yogurt: Contributes tenderness and slight tanginess, Greek yogurt works best for creamier consistency.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and prevents dryness, use a neutral-flavored oil.
  • Milk: Enhances moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly, whole milk provides richer flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone, use pure extract for most authentic taste.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.
For Cake Moistening:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates decadent, ultra-moist texture, drizzle while cake is warm for maximum absorption.
For Topping:
  • Heavy Cream, Chocolate: Create luxurious ganache layer, use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for best results.
  • Coconut Pecan Frosting: Provides rich, nutty finish, store-bought works well or can be homemade.

Tools for Making Decadent Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake

  • Electric mixer: Essential for blending cake ingredients smoothly and quickly.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all cake ingredients together.
  • 9×13-inch baking pan: Crucial for creating the cake's base and shape.
  • Wooden spoon handle: Needed to create holes for milk and sauce absorption.
  • Medium bowl: Used for preparing chocolate ganache.
  • Saucepan: Necessary for heating heavy cream.
  • Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Spatula: Useful for spreading ganache and frosting evenly.

Poke Cake Made Easy: The Chocolate Coconut Way

  • Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven and ready a baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray.

  • Cake Batter Creation

Mix all cake ingredients in a large bowl, blending until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

  • Baking Process

Slide the pan into the oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, indicating the cake is perfectly done.

  • Hole Making

Right after removing the cake, grab a wooden spoon handle and create gentle holes across the entire surface.

  • Milk Soaking

Drizzle sweetened condensed milk generously over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into every delightful hole.

  • Chocolate Magic

Melt chocolate with heated cream, creating a silky smooth ganache that will blanket the cake with rich decadence.

  • Final Touch

Spread the luscious chocolate ganache evenly, then crown the cake with a layer of coconut pecan frosting for the ultimate indulgence.

Tips to Elevate Decadent Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake

  • Smart Cake Prep: Always let your cake ingredients sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, more even blending.
  • Moisture Magic: The wooden spoon hole technique allows sweet condensed milk to penetrate deeply, creating an ultra-moist, rich cake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Ganache Genius: For silky-smooth chocolate ganache, chop chocolate into small uniform pieces and use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for maximum flavor depth.
  • Toasting Transformation: Lightly toast the coconut before sprinkling on top to enhance its nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake's creamy surface.
  • Make-Ahead Mastery: This cake actually tastes better when refrigerated overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more intense, decadent profile.

Serving Ideas for Decadent Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake

  • Tropical Beach Party Centerpiece: Transform this decadent cake into a show-stopping dessert for summer gatherings, perfect for beach-themed celebrations or backyard luaus.
  • Midnight Chocolate Comfort Slice: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent late-night treat that melts in your mouth and satisfies deep chocolate cravings.
  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Garnish individual slices with toasted coconut flakes, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the cake's presentation and add gourmet sophistication.
  • Coffee Companion Delight: Pair each slice with a rich espresso or creamy cappuccino to complement the cake's intense chocolate and coconut flavors, creating a delightful afternoon pick-me-up.

Smart Storage for Decadent Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake

  • Slice and Serve Strategy: After baking, let the cake cool entirely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices that hold their shape perfectly.
  • Refrigeration Tactics: Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and maintaining its rich, moist texture without losing flavor intensity.
  • Freezing Freedom: Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months – great for make-ahead dessert lovers who want a quick sweet treat.
  • Room Temperature Rule: When ready to enjoy, remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften and bring out the full depth of chocolate and coconut flavors.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Sinful Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake Recipe

Sinful Chocolate Coconut Poke Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Chocolate coconut poke cake delivers a rich dessert experience from Brazil’s culinary traditions. Moist chocolate layers absorb creamy coconut sauce, creating an irresistible sweet indulgence you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 3.4 oz (96 g) box chocolate fudge instant pudding
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • ¾ cup (177 ml/6 fl oz) vegetable oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) whole milk
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 14 oz (397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 oz (113 g) chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1 can coconut pecan frosting

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick coating.
  2. Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, yogurt, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Utilize an electric mixer to blend ingredients until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture.
  3. Baking Process: Pour the prepared batter into the greased pan, distributing evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean without raw batter residue.
  4. Cake Perforation: Immediately after removing from the oven, use a wooden spoon handle to create multiple deep holes across the cake’s surface, penetrating almost to the pan’s bottom.
  5. Milk Infusion: While the cake remains warm, carefully drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the surface, ensuring thorough absorption into each created hole. Allow the cake to soak completely.
  6. Ganache Preparation: Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until gently bubbling, then pour over the chocolate. Rest for 5 minutes, then whisk until achieving a glossy, smooth texture.
  7. Topping Application: Once the cake has cooled entirely, spread the slightly thickened chocolate ganache uniformly across the surface. Complete the dessert by layering coconut pecan frosting over the ganache, creating a luxurious and indulgent final touch.

Notes

  • Cake Texture Tip: Pudding mix ensures an incredibly moist, tender cake with soft, velvety crumb that stays fresh longer.
  • Hole-Poking Technique: Create deep, evenly spaced holes to maximize sweetened condensed milk absorption, enhancing cake’s moisture and flavor intensity.
  • Temperature Precision: Allow cake to cool completely before applying ganache and frosting to prevent melting and maintain clean, professional layering.
  • Serving Suggestion: Refrigerate cake for 1-2 hours before serving to help layers set and develop richer, more pronounced flavor profiles.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star