Description

This indulgent German Chocolate Poke Cake is the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers. With a rich, moist German chocolate cake base, a gooey caramel filling, and a topping of coconut, pecans, and Cool Whip, it’s a crowd-pleasing treat that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. The optional melted chocolate drizzle adds the perfect finishing touch!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, and water)
For the Filling:
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz) jar caramel sauce
For the Topping:
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip or whipped topping
- ¼ cup chocolate chips, melted (optional for drizzle)

Instructions

For the Cake:
1. Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the German chocolate cake mix box.
2. Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box (usually with eggs, oil, and water). Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking pan and bake as directed.
3. Once the cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the cake (about 20-30 holes, depending on the size of your utensil). Be sure not to go all the way through the cake—just enough to create space for the filling.
For the Filling:
1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce. Stir until well combined.
2. Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the warm cake, making sure to fill the holes with the sweet filling. Allow the cake to cool completely (about 30 minutes to 1 hour) so that the filling can set into the holes.
For the Topping:
1. Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the Cool Whip or whipped topping evenly over the entire surface of the cake.
2. Sprinkle the shredded coconut and chopped pecans evenly over the top.
3. If desired, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring each time, until fully melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the topping for an extra layer of indulgence.

Notes

If you prefer a stronger caramel flavor, you can use more caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk.
The cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for better flavor and to allow the topping to set.
For a quicker option, you can use store-bought whipped topping or heavy cream if you don’t have Cool Whip.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (not including cake baking time)
Cook Time: As per cake mix instructions (usually 25-30 minutes)
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Keywords: German chocolate cake, poke cake, caramel cake, chocolate cake, coconut pecan topping, easy chocolate cake, irresistible cake