If you love rich, chocolatey desserts with layers of flavor, this poke cake is the ultimate treat. Soft cake, creamy caramel, and a whipped topping come together for a dessert that’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re making it for a party or just want something sweet to enjoy at home, this cake is guaranteed to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
This cake takes classic chocolate cake and makes it even better. The combination of sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce soaks into every bite, creating a moist texture that melts in your mouth. The final layer of whipped topping and crunchy bits adds a contrast that makes every bite irresistible.
How to Serve This Poke Cake
This cake is great on its own, but you can enhance the experience with a few simple additions:
- Extra Heath Bar Pieces: If storing the cake for later, sprinkle fresh Heath bits on each slice before serving to maintain the crunch.
- Caramel or Chocolate Drizzle: Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup over the top for an extra sweet touch.
- Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve with a scoop of vanilla, coffee or banana ice cream for a more decadent dessert.
- Chopped Nuts: For added texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the whipped topping.
Storing and Reheating
This cake is best stored in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and moist. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container for up to five days. If the Heath Bar pieces soften over time, simply sprinkle fresh ones on top before serving. Since this cake is served chilled, there’s no need to reheat—just slice and enjoy straight from the fridge.
Tips for the Best Poke Cake
Getting the best texture and flavor is easy with these simple tips:
- Poke Deep Holes: Use the end of a wooden spoon to make sure the caramel and sweetened condensed milk soak in properly.
- Let It Cool Completely: Allow the cake to fully absorb the liquids and cool before adding the topping.
- Use Any Chocolate Cake Mix: While Devil’s Food cake is recommended, any chocolate cake mix works well for this recipe.
- Crush Your Own Heath Bars: If you can’t find Heath Bar baking bits, crush whole Heath Bars using a rolling pin for the same effect.
Final Thoughts
This Heath Bar poke cake is the perfect combination of chocolate, caramel, and toffee, making it an easy yet impressive dessert for any occasion. Whether serving it fresh or saving leftovers for later, it’s guaranteed to be a favorite. With its rich flavors and simple preparation, it’s a great choice when you need a hassle-free treat that everyone will love.
Heath Bar Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix prepared according to package instructions
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
- 1 jar caramel sauce topping (12 ounces)
- 1 tub Cool Whip (8 ounces), thawed
- 1 bag heath bar baking bits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Prepare the cake batter as directed on the package and pour it into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake according to the cake mix instructions. Once a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, remove from the oven.
- While still hot, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick to poke holes evenly across the cake.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Repeat with the caramel sauce.
- Let the cake cool completely to absorb the liquids.
- Once cooled, spread the Cool Whip evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle Heath Bar bits over the Cool Whip layer, using as much or as little as desired.
- Slice and serve immediately.