Easy Cherry Chocolate Chip Poke Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Layers of moist cherry chocolate chip poke cake promise pure dessert magic for sweet-toothed adventurers.

Chocolatey rivers of rich ganache weave through tender cake landscapes, creating irresistible tunnels of flavor.

Soft crumbs absorb decadent pudding pools that promise delightful surprises in every forkful.

Creamy textures and deep cocoa notes dance together, challenging traditional dessert expectations.

Weekend bakers will adore how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Each slice whispers indulgent secrets of comfort and celebration.

You’ll want to slice into this dreamy creation and savor every incredible bite.

Your Shopping List for Cherry Chocolate Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: Classic base for the poke cake, providing a soft and fluffy foundation.
• Eggs: Adds structure and richness to the cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps bind the cake ingredients.
• Water: Helps create the right cake batter consistency.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Provides sweet and tangy cherry flavor that soaks into the cake holes.
• Maraschino Cherries: Optional garnish that adds a bright pop of color and extra cherry sweetness.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds chocolate bursts and melts slightly with cake's warmth.
• Whipped Cream or Whipped Topping: Creates a smooth, creamy layer that complements the cherries and chocolate.

Bake Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake the Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lightly grease the pan to prevent sticking. Preheat oven according to cake mix package directions.

Step 2: Mix Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Eggs
• Water
• Oil

Blend ingredients thoroughly until smooth. Pour batter evenly into prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Bake Cake Perfectly

Slide cake into preheated oven. Bake following package instructions, typically 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick- it should come out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Create Poke Holes

Grab wooden spoon handle or fork. Gently poke holes across entire cake surface. Ensure holes are deep enough for cherry filling to penetrate.

Step 5: Drench With Cherry Goodness

Open cherry pie filling. Pour entire contents over cake, allowing filling to seep into created holes. Spread evenly across cake surface.

Step 6: Sprinkle Chocolate Magic

Scatter mini chocolate chips generously over cake. Press chips lightly into surface. Warm cake will slightly melt chocolate, creating delicious texture.

Step 7: Crown With Creamy Topping

Layer whipped cream or whipped topping across entire cake surface. Spread smoothly and evenly.

Step 8: Final Decorative Touch

Sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips on top. Optional: Garnish with maraschino cherries for extra visual appeal.

Step 9: Chill and Enjoy

Refrigerate cake for minimum 2 hours. This allows flavors to blend and cake to set. Slice, serve, and savor every delicious bite!

Tips to Perfect Cherry Chocolate Poke Cake

• Prevent Cake Sticking: Generously grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray, ensuring every corner is covered to help the cake release easily after baking.
• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Poke holes while the cake is still warm to help the cherry filling penetrate deeper, creating a more moist and flavorful dessert.
• Customize Chocolate Chip Distribution: Gently press mini chocolate chips into the cake to help them adhere better and create pockets of melted chocolate throughout.
• Chill for Best Taste: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and the filling to set properly, enhancing the overall taste and texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute whipped cream with coconut whipped cream or a non-dairy whipped topping to make the recipe friendly for those with lactose intolerance.

Store Cherry Chocolate Cake Without Losing Moisture

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the whipped cream.
• Enjoy the cake chilled for the most refreshing taste, as the cool temperature helps maintain the creamy texture and blended flavors.

Serve Cherry Chocolate Poke Cake with These

• Scoop a generous dollop of cold, smooth vanilla ice cream alongside each slice of cherry chocolate chip poke cake. The cool, velvety texture perfectly complements the sweet and tangy cake.
• Brew a strong, rich black coffee to balance the cake's sweetness. The robust coffee cuts through the sugary layers and enhances the chocolate and cherry flavors.
• Pour a glass of late harvest Riesling or Port wine. These sweet wines harmonize beautifully with the cake's fruity and chocolate notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Add a small shot of chocolate liqueur like Godiva or Baileys as a decadent accompaniment. The liqueur's smooth, intense chocolate flavor elevates the cake's richness and provides an adult twist.

Cherry Chocolate Cake Mix-Ups You’ll Enjoy

• Gluten-Free Cherry Chocolate Delight: Swap traditional cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Cherry Chocolate Dream: Replace whipped cream with coconut whipped cream and use dairy-free chocolate chips for a lactose-intolerant friendly version.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Chocolate Treat: Utilize sugar-free cake mix, sugar-free cherry pie filling, and dark chocolate chips with low sugar content to reduce overall sweetness.
• Vegan Cherry Chocolate Celebration: Create a vegan cake base using plant-based cake mix, substitute whipped cream with coconut cream, and use vegan chocolate chips for a completely animal-product-free dessert.

Cherry Chocolate Poke Cake That Turns Heads

• Perfect for Easy Entertaining
• Transforms simple cake mix into stunning dessert in under an hour, with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Blends rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and creamy whipped topping creating irresistible taste that appeals to all ages.
• Works brilliantly for casual gatherings, potlucks, birthdays, or weekend family desserts with zero complicated techniques.
• Can be prepared hours ahead and refrigerated, allowing stress-free entertaining and letting flavors develop beautifully.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Poke Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 16 1x

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Description

Sweet layers of cherry goodness merge with rich chocolate chips in this delightful Cherry Chocolate Chip Poke Cake. Creamy condensed milk and smooth chocolate create an irresistible dessert you’ll want to savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) chocolate cake mix
• 3 eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (250 milliliters) heavy cream or whole milk

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 (21 ounces / 595 grams) can cherry pie filling
• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) container whipped topping, thawed
• ½ cup (90 grams) mini chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix packaging and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray.
2. Craft the cake batter according to the box instructions, carefully pouring the mixture into the prepared pan.
3. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake until a testing skewer emerges clean, typically within the recommended time frame.
4. Allow the cake to cool briefly, approximately 10 minutes, then methodically perforate the surface using a wooden spoon handle or fork, creating numerous deep channels throughout.
5. Distribute the entire cherry pie filling across the cake, ensuring the crimson mixture penetrates the carefully created cavities.
6. Generously cascade mini chocolate chips over the saturated surface, gently pressing them to encourage slight melting from the cake’s residual warmth.
7. Craft a luxurious blanket of whipped cream, spreading it evenly to create a smooth, cloud-like topping that completely conceals the cake’s surface.
8. Embellish with an additional sprinkle of chocolate chips and optional maraschino cherries for visual appeal.
9. Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of two hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free version to accommodate dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor profile that complements the cherry filling beautifully.
• Create uniform holes by gently pressing the wooden spoon handle in a grid pattern, allowing cherry filling to distribute evenly throughout the cake.
• Make ahead and refrigerate overnight for intensified flavor and smoother texture, letting the cherry and chocolate notes meld perfectly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12 to 16
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg