Satisfy your sweet cravings with this Heath Bar Poke Cake, a decadent cake infused with a sweet caramel mixture and topped with a pillowy frosting.
Recipe highlights: Made with pantry staples for ease and convenience; full of crowd-pleasing flavors; ideal for gatherings.
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Delicious desserts don't have to be fussy. Recipes such as Easy Oreo Trifle Cake, Strawberry Lemonade Cookies, and Vanilla Almond Cake are simplified with shortcut ingredients without compromising flavor or texture.
This Heath Bar cake is no different. A combination of pantry staples comes together to create an easy, decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert.
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What is a Poke Cake?
A poke cake is a sheet cake soaked with a sweet mixture immediately after baking. Holes are poked all over the surface of the cake to help it absorb the sweet liquid, creating a super flavorful and moist cake. Poke cakes date back to the 1970s when Jell-O introduced the cakes as a way to re-popularize Jell-O gelatin.
Ingredient Notes
- Chocolate cake mix (plus the ingredients listed on the box): Devil's Food and German chocolate are both great options.
- Sweetened condensed milk is the secret to adding indulgence to this dessert. Be sure to use sweetened condensed - not evaporated - milk.
- Caramel sauce: use your favorite store-bought variety or try this homemade salted caramel recipe.
- Frozen whipped topping: Cool Whip is my go-to.
- Toffee baking pieces can be found in the baking aisle by the chocolate chips. Chopped Heath candy bars can also be used.
Non-dairy substitutions
- Eggs: Read this guide for suggested egg substitutions in baking.
- Whipped topping: Use coconut whipped topping. You can find this in the frozen food aisle near the dairy whipped toppings.
Equipment
- A 9x13 cake pan works best for this recipe.
- A wooden spoon handle or straw is needed for poking holes in the cake.
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
Poke Cake Variations
By changing up the cake flavor, the filling, and the topping, it's easy to customize poke cakes for any season or occasion. Try these combinations:
- Ice cream sundae - Use white or chocolate cake with chocolate sauce in place of the caramel. Garnish the Cool Whip with sprinkles, nuts, and cherries.
- Dulce de leche - Start with a white or yellow cake mix and the same caramel mixture. Garnish the Cool Whip with chocolate caramel candy bars.
- Turtle - Use chocolate cake and caramel sauce, and garnish the Cool Whip with more caramel sauce and pecans.
- Cookies and Cream - Use chocolate cake and chocolate sauce in place of the caramel. Garnish the Cool Whip with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
How to Make Heath Bar Poke Cake
Step 1: Mix the cake batter according to the directions on the back of the box.
Step 2: Pour the batter into a 9x13 greased cake pan. Bake as directed on the back of the box.
Step 3: When the cake is done, poke holes all over the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon. Mix the sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce together.
Step 4: Pour the mixture over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow time for the sauce to soak into the cake.
Step 5: Top the cake with the whipped topping.
Step 6: Garnish with the Heath Bar baking bits. Slice and serve with extra caramel sauce.
Expert Tips
- Do not underbake the cake. This will cause it to be soggy, especially after adding the filling.
- Be careful not to poke holes all the way to the bottom, so the filling doesn't pool on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the filling over the cake when it is warm to help it absorb better.
- Add the whipped topping after the cake has cooled competely to prevent sogginess.
- To make-ahead, bake the cake and add the filling up to one day in advance. Keep the cake chilled and add the whipped topping when ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
Homemade whipped cream can be used, although it is less stable than whipped topping and may start to breakdown sooner.
Since poke cakes are topped with whipped topping, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Chilling the cake also helps to prevent it from turning soggy. The cake will keep for up to five days.
Drizzle the cake with extra caramel sauce or chocolate sauce when serving. This cake is ideal for large gatherings, buffets, and potlucks. The pieces can be cut as large or as small as is needed.
Freezing this poke cake is not recommended because the texture may change upon thawing.
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📖 Recipe Card
Heath Bar Poke Cake
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Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces boxed chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients on the box)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for topping)
- 8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- 1 cup toffee baking bits (or chopped Heath candy bars)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Transfer the batter to a 9x13 inch cake pan and bake as directed on the package.15.25 ounces boxed chocolate cake mix
- Meanwhile, combine the sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce and stir until well incorporated.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup caramel sauce
- When the cake is done, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the top so that it seeps down into the holes. Refrigerate the cake (uncovered) for at least one hour.
- Spread the whipped topping over the top of the cooled cake and sprinkle with the chopped Heath bars. Slice and serve.8 ounces whipped topping, 1 cup toffee baking bits
Notes
- Do not underbake the cake. This will create a soggy cake after the filling is added.
- Be careful not to poke too many holes in the cake so the filling doesn't pool on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the filling over the cake when it is warm so it absorbs better.
- Add the whipped topping after the cake has cooled completely.
- The cake can be made one day in advance. Wait to add the whipped topping until ready to serve.
- Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's important to keep the cake chilled because of the whipped topping. Chilling also helps to keep the cake from turning soggy.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
Marie says
Can this be made in 2 round cake pans instead of a rectangular pan?
Abbey says
Yes, this should work fine! Bake per the box mix directions for 2 pans. Then split the sweetened condensed milk, caramel, and whipped topping evenly between the two pans. Enjoy!