Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke (Printer-friendly)
Moist chocolate cake layered with creamy peanut butter pudding, whipped cream, and rich chocolate drizzle.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix with required eggs, oil, and water
→ Peanut Butter Filling
02 - 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
03 - 2 cups cold whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
→ Whipped Cream Topping
05 - 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
06 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
07 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
→ Chocolate Drizzle
08 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
09 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
10 - 2 tbsp heavy cream
→ Optional Garnish
11 - 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
12 - Mini peanut butter cups, halved
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
03 - Let cake cool for 10 minutes. Using handle of wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across cake surface, spacing approximately 1 inch apart.
04 - Whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in medium bowl for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in creamy peanut butter until completely smooth and combined.
05 - Pour peanut butter pudding evenly over warm cake, spreading gently to ensure mixture fills all holes. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
06 - Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream evenly over chilled cake.
07 - Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and heavy cream in small bowl for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth; microwave additional 10 seconds if needed. Drizzle over whipped cream layer.
08 - Sprinkle chopped peanuts and mini peanut butter cups over top if desired. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of warm chocolate cake and cool peanut butter pudding creates an incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting
- Its one of those desserts that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for make ahead entertaining
02 -
- Wait for the full 10 minute cooling period before poking holes, otherwise the cake will tear instead of creating clean pockets
- The pudding layer needs that full hour in the refrigerator to set properly before adding whipped cream
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate better, especially when whisking the peanut butter into the pudding
- For an extra peanut butter punch, stir a tablespoon of peanut butter into the whipped cream before topping