Few flavor combinations spark as much joy as the classic duo of peanut butter and chocolate. It's a match made in dessert heaven, and when combined in a moist, rich poke cake, it becomes absolutely irresistible. Today, we're diving into the ultimate treat: the Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake.
This recipe isn't just about deliciousness; it's about pure indulgence made surprisingly simple. Imagine a tender chocolate cake, generously poked and filled with a creamy, sweet peanut butter mixture, then crowned with fluffy whipped topping, more peanut butter, chocolate drizzle, and an abundance of chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Sounds like a dream, right?
The Magic of a Poke Cake
If you're new to the world of poke cakes, prepare to be amazed! A poke cake is a baked cake (often from a convenient box mix) that gets holes poked all over its surface while still warm. Into these holes, a delicious liquid filling is poured, seeping deep into the cake. This technique creates an incredibly moist, flavorful dessert that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
The beauty of a poke cake lies in its versatility and forgiving nature. It's the perfect canvas for creative flavor infusions, ensuring every single slice is packed with delightful taste and a wonderfully soft texture. It's truly a dessert magician's trick for making a simple cake extraordinary!
Gather Your Peanut Butter & Chocolate Arsenal
One of the best things about this Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake is that it uses readily available ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry. We're keeping things simple with a boxed cake mix as our base, which makes this recipe super accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
For the Decadent Cake Base:
- 1 box of your favorite chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, water, vegetable oil)
For the Irresistible Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
For the Glorious Topping:
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- ½ cup peanut butter, melted (for drizzling)
- ½ cup chocolate syrup (for drizzling)
- 1 cup Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped (for garnish)
Using a boxed chocolate cake mix is a fantastic shortcut that doesn't compromise on flavor or texture. It allows us to focus on the star of the show: that dreamy peanut butter filling and the glorious Reese's topping! If you enjoy fruit-infused desserts, you might also like our Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake, another simple and delightful option.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Reese's Masterpiece
Ready to create a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds? Let's get baking!
Preparing the Chocolate Cake:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on your chocolate cake mix box. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix with the eggs, water, and vegetable oil as directed on the box. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Bake according to the package instructions, typically 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
The "Poke" & Peanut Butter Infusion:
Step 5: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. While still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a similar blunt object to poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake. Make sure the holes go almost to the bottom but don't pierce through.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and ½ cup of creamy peanut butter until smooth and thoroughly blended. This is the heart of your poke cake!
Step 7: Carefully pour the peanut butter-condensed milk mixture evenly over the warm, poked cake, ensuring the delicious filling seeps into all the holes. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature before moving on. This is crucial for the filling to set properly.
Finishing Touches & Chilling:
Step 8: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire surface of the cake.
Step 9: Drizzle the melted ½ cup of peanut butter and the chocolate syrup decoratively over the whipped topping. For perfect drizzles, you can use a squeeze bottle or simply a spoon.
Step 10: Generously sprinkle the chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups over the top of the cake. This adds a fantastic texture and that undeniable Reese's flavor!
Step 11: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is even better, as it allows the flavors to fully meld and the cake to set for clean, beautiful slices.
A helpful tip for all your baking adventures: having a reliable baking resource for ingredient conversions and substitutions can be a lifesaver! 
Tips for the Perfect Poke Cake Experience
- Don't Rush the Chill: While it's tempting to dig in immediately, the chilling time is essential. It allows the peanut butter filling to fully absorb and set, creating that signature moist, fudgy texture.
- Even Pokes: Aim for evenly spaced holes. This ensures every slice gets a generous amount of that delicious filling.
- Warm Cake for Best Absorption: Pouring the filling over a slightly warm cake helps it soak in better.
- Storage: Always keep leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. This cake tastes amazing cold!
For another delightful dessert that beautifully combines chocolate and cream, check out our recipe for Cherry Chocolate Mousse Cups.
Serving Suggestions
This Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake is fantastic on its own, but here are a few ideas to make it even more special:
- Serve with a glass of cold milk – a classic pairing for peanut butter and chocolate.
- Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an à la mode experience.
- Garnish with extra Reese's Pieces or a sprinkle of sea salt to enhance the flavors.
Whether you're making it for a birthday, a potluck, or just a weekend treat, this cake is guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy every decadent, peanut-buttery bite!
FAQs
What makes a poke cake so moist?
Poke cakes are incredibly moist because a liquid filling, like sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in this recipe, is poured into holes in the warm cake. This allows the liquid to seep deep into the cake, infusing every bite with flavor and moisture.
Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of a box mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While a box mix simplifies things, a homemade chocolate cake base works wonderfully. Just ensure your chosen recipe yields a moist cake that can absorb the rich peanut butter filling.
How long does Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake last in the refrigerator?
When stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, this poke cake will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4-5 days. The chilling time also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
What are some fun variations for this poke cake?
Beyond Reese's, you can experiment with toppings like crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce. For the cake base, consider a yellow cake mix, or replace the whipped topping with homemade whipped cream for an extra luxurious touch.
Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A decadent and easy-to-make chocolate poke cake infused with creamy peanut butter filling and topped with whipped cream and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients per box: eggs, water, oil)
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (for filling)
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup peanut butter, melted (for drizzling)
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 cup Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven according to the directions on the chocolate cake mix box. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Combine the cake mix with the required ingredients (typically eggs, oil, and water) in a large bowl. Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the box instructions, usually around 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.
Step 4: Let the cake cool for about 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. While still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, spaced evenly. These holes should reach most of the way through the cake, but not to the bottom.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Mix until smooth and fully blended.
Step 6: Pour the filling evenly over the warm cake, making sure it flows into all the holes. Let the cake cool completely at room temperature.
Step 7: Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire surface.
Step 8: Drizzle the melted 1/2 cup peanut butter and chocolate syrup over the whipped topping.
Step 9: Finish by sprinkling the chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups generously on top.
Step 10: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to set (preferably overnight for best results).
Step 11: Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
For an extra kick of peanut butter flavor, you can add a thin layer of peanut butter frosting between the cake and the whipped topping. This cake is also fantastic for parties, as it serves many and can be made ahead!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking & No-Bake Assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
