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German Chocolate Poke Cake

A moist and fudgy chocolate cake soaked in sweetened condensed milk, topped with rich chocolate frosting, coconut, and pecans for a delightful dessert experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, German
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Essential for deep chocolate flavor.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar Adjust based on desired sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup buttermilk Keeps the crumb tender.
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water Helps to bloom the cocoa and improve batter consistency.
Toppings
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk Used for soaking the cake.
  • 1 cup chocolate frosting For spreading on the cooled cake.
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut Adds chewiness to the topping.
  • 1 cup chopped pecans For crunch and flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan well.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla, stirring until smooth.
  4. Slowly stir in the boiling water until the batter is glossy and pourable.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before poking holes all over its surface.
  3. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes.
Frosting and Serving
  1. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the chocolate frosting over the top.
  2. Sprinkle the coconut and chopped pecans over the frosting, then cut into squares and serve.

Notes

For best results, let the cake cool slightly before frosting to keep the layer neat. Store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.