Peppermint Poke Cake (Printable)
Soft chocolate cake soaked with peppermint pudding, chilled and topped with whipped topping and crushed candies.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
→ 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)
→ 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)
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - Combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer or whisk until batter is smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
04 - Let cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes across the entire cake surface, spacing approximately 1 inch apart.
06 - In a medium bowl, whisk instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring together until thickened, about 2 minutes.
07 - Evenly pour prepared pudding over cooled cake, spreading with a spatula and pressing gently to fill holes.
08 - Cover cake and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until pudding is set.
09 - Spread thawed whipped topping evenly over chilled cake.
10 - Scatter crushed peppermint candies and optional chocolate shavings or mini chips across the top.
11 - Cut into portions and serve cold.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The ease of boxed cake mix with the surprise of a cool, minty filling is a shortcut you have to try at least once.
- It looks so festive topped with vibrant crushed peppermint candies, but nobody guesses how little effort it takes.
02 -
- If you rush pouring the pudding before it thickens, it can run right through your cake and pool at the bottom—ask me how I know.
- Crushing peppermint candies is easier if you freeze them for 10 minutes first—they shatter instead of getting sticky.
03 -
- If you want more mint, sprinkle a few drops of extract into the cake batter but don&apost overdo it.
- Let the whipped topping thaw fully in the fridge for the silkiest finish on top—it spreads so much better.