Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

Irresistible Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

Decadent desserts have a special place in every sweet tooth’s heart, especially when gooey chocolate peanut butter poke cake promises pure indulgence.

Rich chocolate cake becomes an irresistible canvas for creamy peanut butter magic.

Layers of flavor burst through each carefully pierced hole, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Every forkful delivers a luxurious blend of chocolate and nutty goodness that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The combination transforms a simple cake into a show-stopping dessert that demands attention.

Drizzles of silky chocolate and peanut butter sauce make this treat impossible to resist.

One slice will transport you to dessert heaven, leaving you craving another delectable bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Poke Cake

For Cake Base:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix: Provides the rich, decadent foundation for the dessert, choose a high-quality mix for best results.
For Filling and Moisture Layer:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk, Peanut Butter: Creates a luscious, creamy filling that seeps into cake holes, balancing sweetness with nutty depth.
For Topping and Garnish:
  • Whipped Topping, Mini Chocolate Chips, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups: Adds luxurious creaminess, delightful chocolate crunch, and classic peanut butter candy texture for an indulgent finish.
For Baking Tools:
  • Wooden Spoon Handle or Straw: Perfect for creating precise holes that allow filling to penetrate the cake evenly.

Baking Gear for Chocolate PB Poke Cake

  • Baking Pan (9×13 inch): Essential for baking the chocolate cake base.
  • Wooden Spoon or Straw: Perfect for creating evenly spaced holes in the warm cake.
  • Medium Bowl: Ideal for whisking together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.
  • Whisk: Helps blend the filling ingredients smoothly.
  • Spatula: Great for spreading whipped topping evenly and distributing chocolate chips.
  • Knife: Useful for chopping Reeses or peanut butter cups for decoration.

Make That Poke Cake Shine

  • Whip Up the Chocolate Base

Mix the chocolate cake batter following package guidelines and bake in a rectangular pan. Let it rest for 10 minutes after coming out of the oven.

  • Create Flavor Tunnels

Grab a wooden spoon handle or straw and poke holes across the warm cake surface, spacing them evenly.

  • Craft the Peanut Butter Liquid

Blend sweetened condensed milk with melted peanut butter until silky smooth. Pour this mixture carefully over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole.

  • Crown with Creamy Topping

Once the cake has cooled completely, spread a generous layer of whipped cream across the entire surface.

  • Add Delicious Finishing Touches

Scatter chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter candies over the top for extra crunch and visual appeal.

  • Chill and Indulge

Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour to let the flavors dance together. Slice and savor each decadent bite.

Boost the Flavor in Poke Cake

  • Cake Perfection Pointers: Make your chocolate peanut butter poke cake a showstopper with these expert tips!
  • Room Temperature Magic: Let ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter sit at room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother, more even cake texture.
  • Precise Poking Technique: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a wide straw to create uniform holes, making sure they're evenly spaced for consistent filling distribution.
  • Flavor Boost Hack: Warm the peanut butter slightly before mixing with condensed milk to create a more fluid, easy-to-pour filling that penetrates cake holes perfectly.
  • Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix to make the dessert celiac-friendly without compromising delicious taste.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: This cake actually tastes better after sitting overnight, allowing flavors to develop and become more intense, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for parties or potlucks.

Serving Tips for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

  • Dessert Centerpiece Magic: Showcase this decadent cake as the star of your dinner party, placing it on a beautiful cake stand to highlight its gorgeous layers and tempting toppings.
  • Party Slice and Share: Cut into neat squares and serve on individual dessert plates, allowing guests to appreciate the rich chocolate and peanut butter swirls throughout each bite.
  • Complementary Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside cold milk, creamy coffee, or rich hot chocolate to enhance the cake's sweet and nutty flavor profile, creating a delightful taste experience.
  • Afternoon Treat Moment: Enjoy a slice during mid-afternoon coffee break or as a special weekend dessert that transforms an ordinary day into something extraordinary and indulgent.

Keep That Poke Cake Tasting Fresh

  • Cake Care Corner: Smart Storage Strategies
  • Quick Chill Method: Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for maximum freshness, keeping it deliciously moist for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a sealed lid to prevent moisture loss and maintain its creamy texture.
  • Freezing Friendly Option: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each carefully in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings.
  • Room Temperature Tips: Keep the cake covered at cool room temperature for short-term storage, but consume within 2 days to ensure optimal taste and prevent potential bacterial growth.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cake up to 2 days before serving, storing it in the refrigerator to let flavors develop and enhance the rich chocolate and peanut butter combination.
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Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe

Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Indulgent chocolate peanut butter poke cake promises a delightful dessert adventure for sweet enthusiasts. Rich layers of chocolate cake infused with creamy peanut butter create a mouthwatering experience you won’t soon forget.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (425 g) chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup (250 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • eggs (as specified on cake mix box)
  • oil (as specified on cake mix box)
  • water (as specified on cake mix box)
  • 1 container (8 oz / 225 g) whipped topping, thawed
  • ½ cup (50 g) mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (75 g) chopped Reeses peanut butter cups

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Preheat oven and craft chocolate cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan according to package guidelines, ensuring a rich, moist foundation.
  2. Perforation Process: While cake remains warm, systematically puncture the surface using a wooden spoon handle or straw, creating uniform channels for flavor infusion.
  3. Filling Creation: Whisk sweetened condensed milk with molten peanut butter until achieving a smooth, homogeneous liquid that will penetrate the cake’s interior.
  4. Moisture Infiltration: Methodically pour the peanut butter-condensed milk mixture across the cake, guaranteeing each carefully crafted hole receives comprehensive coverage.
  5. Cooling and Setting: Allow the cake to cool completely, enabling the filling to set and permeate every chocolate crevice, intensifying the dessert’s depth of flavor.
  6. Topping Application: Generously spread whipped topping across the cake’s surface, creating a light, ethereal layer that complements the rich underlying flavors.
  7. Decorative Finale: Sprinkle miniature chocolate chips, delicate chocolate shavings, and chopped Reeses peanut butter cups strategically, adding visual and textural complexity.
  8. Chilling Phase: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving these decadent, chilled slices.

Notes

  • Ensure Cake Moisture: Pierce cake while warm to create deep channels, allowing maximum peanut butter mixture absorption for rich, moist texture.
  • Temperature Control: Cool cake completely before adding whipped topping to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity of the dessert.
  • Customize Sweetness: Adjust condensed milk and peanut butter ratio to control overall sweetness level, catering to different taste preferences.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute chocolate cake mix with gluten-free alternative and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free for dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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