The Best German Chocolate Poke Cake
The Best German Chocolate Poke Cake is a decadent and moist chocolate dessert infused with a luscious coconut pecan filling. This cake boasts a rich chocolate base soaked with a gooey, caramel-like coconut pecan mixture, creating layers of irresistible flavor and texture. Perfect for any occasion, it’s simple to make yet delivers a classic southern delight with every bite.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes plus cooling time
- Yield: 12-15 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Can be adapted to gluten free or dairy free
Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (or homemade equivalent)
Filling
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
Frosting
- Whipped frosting or cream cheese frosting (amount as desired)
- Prepare and bake the cake: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package or recipe. Prepare the chocolate cake batter following the instructions. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Poke the cake: When the cake is slightly cooled but still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes evenly over the entire surface. These holes allow the filling to soak deep into the cake.
- Make the coconut pecan filling: While the cake bakes, combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and chopped toasted pecans in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the mixture thickens and turns a golden brown.
- Pour and soak the cake: Slowly pour the warm filling evenly over the poked cake, ensuring it seeps into all the holes. Return the cake to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cool and frost: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely, at least 1-2 hours. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of whipped or cream cheese frosting over the top for a creamy balance to the rich filling.
Notes
- Poke the cake while still warm to avoid cracking and make poking easier.
- Always toast pecans lightly to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Stir the filling constantly when cooking to avoid burning or sticking.
- Allow the cake to cool fully before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting or sliding.
- Use high-quality ingredients like real butter and fresh coconut for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: German Chocolate Cake, Poke Cake, Coconut Pecan Cake, Southern Dessert, Gooey Cake, Chocolate Cake