Description
This festive Peppermint Poke Cake is the ultimate holiday dessert—cool, minty, creamy, and irresistibly chocolatey. With its rich devil’s food base, peppermint pudding center, and fluffy whipped topping sprinkled with crushed candy canes, this easy recipe is perfect for holiday parties, winter dessert ideas, and even make-ahead Christmas treats. If you’re looking for a quick holiday dessert, this one delivers both flavor and flair without the stress. Ideal for holiday potlucks, easy baking ideas, and fun food ideas for Christmas.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups water
1 package (3.4 oz) peppermint pudding mix (or vanilla pudding + 1/2 to 1 tsp peppermint extract)
2 cups cold milk
1 container (8 oz) whipped topping or homemade whipped cream
1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
1. Preheat oven and prepare cake mix according to box instructions using eggs, oil, and water. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake as directed (usually 28–32 minutes).
2. Let the cake cool for about 10–15 minutes.
3. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake, about an inch apart and two-thirds deep.
4. In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix and cold milk until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
5. Pour the pudding evenly over the cake, gently pressing it into the holes with a spatula.
6. Refrigerate the cake for 30–60 minutes to allow the pudding to set.
7. Once chilled, spread whipped topping evenly over the cake.
8. Right before serving, sprinkle crushed candy canes over the whipped topping.
9. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
Chill the cake thoroughly before adding the whipped topping to keep it firm and layered.
For best texture, crush candy canes just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Substitute vanilla pudding with peppermint extract if peppermint pudding isn’t available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: peppermint poke cake, holiday cake, easy dessert, Christmas cake, chocolate mint cake