CakesDesserts
written by Vera Z.January 21, 2021
166K Shares
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·4.4 from 17 reviews
Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake is an easy dessert recipe for the serious chocolate lover! Decadent chocolate cake infused with sweetened condensed milk chocolate ganache mixture, covered with marshmallow whipped cream and more chocolate ganache swirled on top. It’s so easy to make, and a huge hit at parties! If you are a chocolate lover, check this decadent Chocolate Poke Cake, too.
Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake
This Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake is out of this world. So chocolatey, so moist and so amazing! And the best part, It’s so easy to make!
Poke cakes are the best dessert to make when looking for an easy but delicious cake. Everybody loves a beautiful layered cake, but sometimes easy ones are the best way to go.
Poke cakes are defined by the holes that are poked into them and filled with flavor, and there are so many possibilities. The cake base can be chocolate, carrot cake, pumpkin cake, vanilla…You can fill it with pudding, cheesecake filling, but I’m always for chocolate base filled with more chocolate. There’s no such thing as too much chocolate, right?!
This time I did it again. First, I baked rich chocolate cake. To tell the truth, I used a shortcut and made it with a boxed chocolate cake mix. I used Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake. It works perfectly for this kind of recipe. When you poked it and fill with rich and decadent filling, no one would guess it came from a box.
Although I used a cake mix, you can make it from scratch if you have your to-go recipe. Sometimes box cake mix is a wonderful convenience. However, you could also use a regular chocolate mix, but the devil’s food makes this oh-so-chocolatey and I fully recommend it.
For a filling, I made a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and chocolate. This combo tastes better than classic chocolate ganache and better than chocolate fudge. It’s lick- the-bowl-good. I ate it with a spoon.
And for the end it comes the star of the show-marshmallow fluff topping lightened up with whipped cream, swirled with chocolate ganache. Marshmallow whipped cream perfectly balanced all that chocolate. It’s perfection, so balanced and delicious.
Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 17 reviews
- Author: Vera Z.
Prep Time: 30 minutes- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12-16 1x
- Category: desserts
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:Print Recipe
Description
Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake is an easy dessert recipe for the serious chocolate lover! Decadent chocolate cake infused with sweetened condensed milk chocolate ganache mixture, covered with marshmallow whipped cream and more chocolate ganache swirled on top
Ingredients
- 15.25 ozbox Devils Food Chocolate Cake Mix, plus ingredients listed on the box
- 1 (14 oz.) cansweetened condensed milk
- 12 oz.semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Marshmallow Whipped Cream
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 7 oz. (about 2 cups) marshmallow fluff
For Chocolate Ganache Swirls:
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Bake cake according to box directions in a 9×13 cake pan.
- Using a handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the warm cake. Set aside to cool slightly and make the filling.
- Place sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir until smooth, microwaving more, if needed to melt the chocolate completely. The mixture should be pourable but not too runny. If it’s too thick, reheat it. If it’s too thin, set aside to cool and thick slightly. Transfer the mixture in a measuring jug and pour in the holes. Spread remaining chocolate on top. Set aside to cool, about an hour, then refrigerate until completely cooled.
- To make the topping, whip heavy cream until it begins to thicken, add powdered sugar, and vanilla and whip until stiff peaks form. Gradually mix in marshmallow fluff. Spread the topping over cooled cake.
- Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 3 Tablespoons heavy cream until smooth. Transfer the mixture in a zip-lock bag, cut off the corner and pipe the chocolate ganache all over the top and use a toothpick or skewer to create a more marbleized pattern of swirls.
chocolatemarshmallow
Vera Z.
previous post
Gingerbread Lasagnanext post
Lemon Cream Cheese MuffinsYou may also like
No Bake Berry Cheesecake Lasagna
Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes
Strawberry Sponge Cake
Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes
Banoffee Pie Lasagna
Easter Bunny Cookies
70 comments
Karen SmythJanuary 24, 2021 - 6:06 pm
Looks fantastic! Can’t wait to show my sister-in-law. We are gonna have some fun
Reply
Maria ReddenJanuary 25, 2021 - 2:55 am
The icing needed more taste of the marshmallow to me and where can you find the carbs at ?? Or do you figure that on your own? Overall it was good
Reply
Georgianna KlaustermeierSeptember 24, 2021 - 10:59 pm
Maybe add some marshmallow extract in the mix.
Reply
Camille BanksFebruary 20, 2024 - 10:32 pm
You could try using large marshmallows and toast them under broil in the oven and add them to the marshmallow mixture.
Reply
ShannonAugust 16, 2022 - 7:00 pm
Will this be able to sit out on counter?
Reply
ElleFebruary 6, 2021 - 6:16 pm
This recipe needs to be rewritten. If you follow the instructions vs the ingredients, you’re getting two different messages. I just ruined a bunch of ingredients, because under the ingredients heading, it says the cake mix, chocolate chips, condensed milk and heavy cream. That suggests you should mix it into the cake mix. The ingredients for the poke should be under a separate heading!
Reply
Vera Z.February 7, 2021 - 5:54 pm
I’m sorry to hear that, but the instruction clearly said in step 1.to bake cake according to box directions in a 9×13 cake pan. Read the instructions completely before start baking. Step 3. give the instruction for using chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream when the cake is baked.
Reply
Jeanie RenselMay 12, 2022 - 10:40 pm
I had no problems with the instructions. My cake turn out perfect! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing. P.S. I wished I coukd have left a picture of my cake.
Reply
Robin WilliamsMarch 18, 2023 - 1:30 pm
❤️
Reply
MaggieMay 27, 2024 - 12:24 pm
I had no trouble following directions marshmallow fluff was added a little at a time. The cake was a big hit. Will definitely make again.
Reply
Vera Z.May 27, 2024 - 3:34 pm
Thanks Maggie!
Mary OApril 8, 2021 - 1:06 am
ELLE Since when do you bake/cook anything just by reading the ingredients.. that’s why there is instructions. Also in the ingredients it’s says one box of cake mix PLUS ingredients On the box. Then in the instructions it clearly states step one. Bake cake according to the box directions in a 9x13inch pan. I made this cake and LOVED it. Thank you for the recipe. One note tho, in the chocolate ganache swirl ingredients you have 1/2 chocolate chips. It should say 1/2 cup, which was said down in the instructions so everything went well. ?
Reply
MarroApril 20, 2021 - 9:20 pm
1 word “yummy” for this chocolateholic
Great recipe no issues with instructions.
Reply
Bonnie WitteAugust 13, 2022 - 12:32 am
People who tried this literally lost their minds over how great it tasted! I’ll be making it again and again!!!
Reply
CBFebruary 20, 2024 - 10:38 pm
I don’t see why you’d have any issues. The instructions clearly state make cake according to the box directions and then after that it clearly explains to make the filing. Not once does it make it seem the filing ingredients would be added to the cake mix. It’s not right to ding her star rating just because you didn’t follow perfect baking instructions. Not cool
Reply
ElisaAugust 16, 2023 - 6:36 pm
Can it be frozen?
Reply
Dianne BreckenridgeFebruary 17, 2021 - 6:45 pm
My family better like this cake, all in all it took hours to make. Too much chocolate I’m thinking and whipping the cream, then adding marshmallow fluff which is like working with plaster. Whew Maybe I’m just tired now but it did seem like a lot of work. Made it for a special birthday, will not make it again.
Reply
Mary OApril 8, 2021 - 1:03 am
Since when do you bake/cook anything just by reading the ingredients.. that’s why there is instructions. Also in the ingredients it’s says one box of cake mix PLUS ingredients On the box. Then in the instructions it clearly states step one. Bake cake according to the box directions in a 9x13inch pan. I made this cake and LOVED it. Thank you for the recipe. One note tho, in the chocolate ganache swirl ingredients you have 1/2 chocolate chips. It should say 1/2 cup, which was said down in the instructions so everything went well. ?
Reply
BobbiJuly 24, 2023 - 1:49 am
Turned out so pretty, was easy to assemble and I was thrilled with ! I was worried about it being too marshmallowy, it was perfect!
Reply
CarolynFebruary 26, 2021 - 5:03 pm
It tastes a little better the next day after a full 24 hrs in the fridge, but I definitely won’t be making again. It’s just a sugar overload, and while none of you know me, it takes a LOT for me to say that. I’m a total sweet tooth but this was just too much.
Reply
Barbara KnowlesApril 19, 2021 - 4:50 am
I don’t know which why your all getting your panties in a bunch. Why don’t you just use pudding and fill the holes and then refrigerate —you can frost the cake not using marshmallow fluff with whip topping and then add shave chocolate— presto you have a poke cake or whatever you wanna call it.
Reply
MaryJune 11, 2022 - 8:41 pm
Great ideas Barbara. I think I’ll follow your thoughts on this. After reading over all the ingredients, I think it is going to be much too sweet for me and my family.
Reply
SallyApril 22, 2021 - 3:36 am
Do you need the full 14 oz. of sweetened condensed milk or can I leave out three tablespoons for the topping, otherwise I would need a whole new can for the three tablespoons, correct?
Reply
SallyApril 22, 2021 - 3:39 am
My mistake, that’s the heavy cream I need, not the condensed milk.
Reply
Lisa LeeApril 27, 2021 - 1:01 pm
How much cream and chocolate chip s for the ganache?
Reply
Kristen KolentsasApril 28, 2021 - 1:29 pm
Question…how far in advance can I make this cake. Our Easter in Sunday and it is now Wednesday. How early can I make this? Thanks for the info.
Reply
Kristen delrussoMay 3, 2021 - 11:00 pm
I made this cake the other day and it came out AWESOME!! Soo good, it was gne in no time!! I will definitely make this again very soon, maybe even tonight!!
Reply
Coni SzemisMay 5, 2021 - 3:01 pm
Exactly Vera Z… many beginners don’t read the whole recipe first before starting… I think we have all done this, most of us learn the hard way, the right way… This makes us better when we learn from our mistakes, in everything in life!!
Reply
Shirley WrightJanuary 25, 2022 - 1:41 am
Bought stuff to make this & after reading about the iceing problem, please help! Don’t want cottage cheese icening! Thanks
Reply
TiannaMay 8, 2022 - 9:26 pm
Whip the marshmallow fluff in a separate bowl and then mix it together with the word cream with a spoon.
Reply
Melinda ChurchJune 9, 2022 - 11:59 pm
Perfect cake! Love it and will make again! Thank you for the recipe.
Reply
Carol EllisMay 11, 2021 - 11:24 pm
Amazing recipe. Not a single complaint. Sometimes when you want something thiss good, it takes time. I did use milk chocolate chips and chocolate cake mix instead of deli food. I’m. It a lover of darker chocolate. Added more marshmallow cream to make the topping firmer. Thanks for this recipe!
Reply
ShellySeptember 5, 2021 - 8:32 pm
I had trouble with the cream topping. I got the heavy peaks and when I added the marshmallow fluff it broke down into liquid and a cottage cheese like substance. What did I do wrong? I used my mixer since the marshmallow fluff was so stiff. Should I have mixed it by hand? Thanks for the help!
Reply
BrittanyNovember 8, 2021 - 3:38 am
I had this exact same problem! I wish I knew how to make it right
Reply
SamApril 13, 2022 - 5:32 pm
Any answer going to make this weekend
Just want to make sure I do topping right
Reply
MartySeptember 11, 2021 - 6:32 pm
I just made this cake and it is delicious can’t wait to share with my grandchildren. For me it was easy to follow the directions. I will make it again.
Thanks
Marty
Reply
DebbieNovember 7, 2021 - 2:45 am
Hi, here in Australia we don’t have Marshmallow Fluff what could I use in its place please? Maybe melted marshmallows ??
Reply
StephanieJanuary 7, 2022 - 5:08 am
Try mixing a can of sweetened condensed milk and a jar of caramel ice cream topping. And I just put straight cool whip on top or make your own by using heavy whipping cream; and then drizzle the caramel mixture over the top.
Reply
Robin PerkinsNovember 29, 2021 - 5:42 pm
My daughter made this Thanksgiving it was so good…I just made 2 this morning one for the house and one for my nephew who was just diagnosed with colon cancer at 43 yrs old, he asked for a cake while he was in the hospital so I thought he’d love this one 💙
Reply
CélineOctober 19, 2022 - 8:54 pm
Bonjour je voudrais savoir ses quoi la crème epaise ?
Reply
Sharon BachDecember 5, 2021 - 1:21 am
I had the same issues from the icing! Any suggestions? No a new cook!
Reply
DebDecember 26, 2021 - 10:28 pm
Loved the cake, instructions were awesome and so easy to follow. Thanks
Reply
Tiffany WatersFebruary 5, 2022 - 2:10 am
THIS LOOKS AWESOME. we’ve made regular poke cakes with different flavored jello. and I’d tell myself everytime, “one of these days I’m gonna try this with a chocalate cake and chocalate pudding”. I’d forget about it again until the next time. but I always wondered how well the pudding would work since it gets thicker (starts setting) the more u mix it. so thank you for this recipe!!😍 my sister and I pick what kind of cake we want for our birthdays and the other one makes it. this is my pick this year. 2-12. and I think the one I fixed for her a couple of years ago mightve been your recipe.? (not sure where she got it. aside from facebook) it was very similiar to this but had alcohol in it.? if it was, IT WAS EXCELLENT! (it was very rich and sweet. the instructions were excellent. it took me several hours to make, i enjoy baking desserts, but i don’t do it often and I’m also neurodivergent, so I expected it to take me longer in prep time than what was posted. SORRY for the really long post. I Love All (well almost) Things Chocolate, and it’s never too much chocolate! (Lemon is good as well, and I’ve saved a few of your lemon recipes as well! THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECIPES (and the time it takes to post all the needed info for said recipes)
Reply
KathyFebruary 13, 2022 - 10:32 pm
Omg this is so freaking amazing loved it everyone loved it gone poof so chocolatey can’t wait to make it again my cuz made it she used white cake said it was really good wish I could give it 10
Reply
JenMarch 27, 2022 - 10:52 pm
I completely understand that you need to read the recipe and directions completely before starting, but many people who see this recipe on social media may not be as experienced as others. I’ve been baking/cooking a long time and still made the mistake of adding the sweetened milk to the batter. I knew from the look of the batter it wasn’t right….. I hate to waste anything so I added more cocoa, baking powder, another egg, oil and enough flour to get it to cake batter consistency. I ended up with almost double the batter and baked it for an hour. So far I have poked the cake and poured the chocolate in the holes and spread on top…….. I’ll let you know how the rest goes!! Lol
Reply
LisaMarch 30, 2022 - 5:34 pm
I made this yesterday. Added a twist of mine own however. The fluff part was not working out for me but I see a lot of people had the same problem, still turned out good.
Use a large straw to pull out the cake so the mixture goes in better.
Use less semi sweet chocolate chips and puree strawberries and added it to the chocolate chips and spread over the poke cake, then topped it with marshmallow, fresh cut strawberries and drizzle with chocolate syrup. You can even add sliced bananas on the top, I would do this part only when you going to eat a slice. (don’t like brown bananas)
Reply
LisaMarch 30, 2022 - 6:39 pm
Vera must not have liked my comment on what I did to her recipe. Can’t get the star rating up, would rate this a four star.
1. Get a large round straw to remove the cake so the filling gets in the holes better.
2. Use less chocolate and puree some strawberries and mix it will the chocolate chip filling.
3. Had a problem with the topping not forming but still turned out ok.
4. Then top it will thin sliced strawberries and add some chocolate syrup over it.
5. Could also add sliced bananas, but I would add these with each slice so they don’t brown.
Still a very good cake.
Reply
paula thomas oandasanApril 5, 2022 - 8:26 pm
can I use Kool Whip instead of whipping cream in the topping?
Reply
paula thomas oandasanApril 5, 2022 - 10:17 pm
can I use Cool Whip instead of Whipped cream in the topping.
Reply
TiannaMay 8, 2022 - 9:24 pm
TO FIX THE WHIPPED CREAM CONSISTENCY ISSUE:
Whip the marshmallow fluff in a separate bowl and then mix it together with the word cream with a spoon.
I just made this for the first time for my mother in law for Mother’s Day and it was a huge hit! Just follow the directions and whip the fluff separately before adding it to the whipped cream.
Yum!
Reply
SarahJune 19, 2022 - 12:30 am
I had the same problem with the marshmallow topping that others have mentioned. Otherwise the cake was good – my daughter the chocoholic liked it. Not sure I’ll make this again until the problem with the marshmallow topping can be resolved. If it can be resolved it would be
great. It’s a lot of work for a cake that turns out only ok.
Reply
nancyJuly 3, 2022 - 11:52 pm
I had problem with the icing also. Cottage cheese like so sing cool whip for frosting
Reply
Joann BJuly 9, 2022 - 8:08 pm
Followed the recipe exactly as shown, everything turned out GREAT!!! I don’t know why anyone had problems with the marshmallow topping, mine turned out so good that I wish I would have doubled it just to eat alone, mmm. Can’t wait to dig in!!!!
Reply
SandyAugust 29, 2022 - 2:53 pm
Made this for my boyfriends birthday. He absolutely loved it! Will make this again!!
Reply
MonicaSeptember 11, 2022 - 4:04 pm
This cake was meh. It was dry even with the poured on liquid. The marshmallow fluff was totally NOT necessary. It added so much sweetness and made the texture of the frosting look curdled. The pic shown in the recipe is not the result you’ll get. A dry, overly sweet cake you won’t want to eat.
Reply
Theresa HoustonOctober 27, 2022 - 1:18 pm
I made this cake for a friend’s birthday and frankly I can’t understand why so many seemed to have problems. If your cake was dry it would have been dry no matter what recipe you followed. Ingredients are most always listed in a downward file but it doesn’t mean they all go together in a mixing bowl. I don’t understand how so many had problems with the frosting of cream and marshmallow fluff. I put the bowl and the beaters in the freezer to chill and whipped the cream until it kept a peak and with a wooden spoon added the fluff by the spoonful and mixed well before adding another spoonful . There were several people at my home for my friends birthday and when I came home from work every bit of the cake was gone. I had to make a second one to get a taste of it. Obviously it was a huge success. BTW, several years ago I found a recipe for chocolate fudge that was made in the microwave. One bag of semi sweet chips and a can of sweetened condensed milk in microwave safe bowl and microwave watching carefully and stirring to thoroughly combine them. Remove and add nuts or whatever you want and pour into a prepared pan and let it cool. Presto chango you have fudge that’s quite good. Sending wishes for your happy holidays
Reply
AngelaNovember 25, 2022 - 12:38 am
This cake was amazing!! The only change I made was I made a home made from scratch cake and not a box cake. But it was rich, yummy chocolate goodness. My family raved over it.
Reply
KathyDecember 23, 2022 - 6:13 pm
Made this and IT.WAS.AWESOME!!!! helpful hint: take this out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before eating so the chocolate in the holes has time to soften. It tastes better that way. I didn’t think this was difficult to make, just alot of steps. Turned out beautifully! A BIG, BIG hit at my house! Thanks for the recipe!
Reply
Barb O'HaraMarch 9, 2023 - 5:51 am
I thinking of making for 50 people, so at least 3 or 4 cakes. Has anyone used dark chocolate baking bars instead of chocolate chips to lessen the sweetness. Possibly adding some dark unsweetened cocoa and coffee when making the cake to be less sweet. Even thought about a few less pokes, since I will be making multiple cakes, like only triple recipe for 4 cakes instead of 4 . I have used to cocoa powder and coffee in brown mix and got raves about it.
Reply
Ninny of TwinsMarch 26, 2023 - 12:20 am
Delicious!!
Reply
GailJune 16, 2023 - 5:03 pm
This cake is wonderful!! Thanks for the recipe and good directions!
Reply
CathieFebruary 1, 2024 - 10:02 pm
Can this recipe be made with a Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix?
Reply
