Mounds Poke Cake

 

🍫🥥 Mounds Poke Cake Recipe

Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time)
Servings: 12–15
Difficulty: Easy

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🧁 What is a Poke Cake?

A poke cake is a baked sheet cake that’s poked with holes and filled with a sweet, moist mixture—usually something creamy like pudding, condensed milk, or fruit purée. It allows flavor to seep deep into the cake, making every bite rich and indulgent.

The Mounds Poke Cake is modeled after the famous Mounds candy bar: dark chocolate and sweet coconut, layered into a dreamy, chilled dessert.

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for on the box)
  Tip: A Devil’s Food cake mix works great for richer chocolate flavor

For the Coconut Filling:

• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

• 1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut (NOT coconut milk)

  Popular brand: Coco López

• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

For the Topping:

• 1 container (12 oz) chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  —OR—

• Homemade Ganache:

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

  • ½ cup heavy cream

Optional Garnishes:

• Toasted coconut flakes

• Mini Mounds bar pieces

• Shaved dark chocolate or cocoa powder

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🧑‍🍳 Instructions

STEP 1: Bake the Cake

1. Preheat oven according to cake mix directions (usually 350°F / 175°C).

2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

3. Prepare cake batter as directed on the box.

4. Pour batter into the pan and bake according to the package instructions (typically 28–32 minutes).

5. Once done, remove from oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.

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STEP 2: Poke the Cake

1. While the cake is still warm (but not too hot), use the handle of a wooden spoon or a thick skewer to poke holes all over the cake.

2. Space them about 1 inch apart and poke almost to the bottom.

3. Don’t worry if the holes look large—it helps the filling soak in!

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STEP 3: Make the Coconut Filling

1. In a medium bowl, mix:

   • 1 can sweetened condensed milk

   • 1 can cream of coconut

2. Stir until smooth and well combined.

3. Pour this mixture evenly over the entire cake, letting it soak into the holes.

4. Let the cake sit and cool completely to room temperature (30–60 minutes).

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STEP 4: Add the Coconut Layer

1. Once the cake is fully cooled, sprinkle 2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut evenly over the top.

2. Gently press it into the surface with a spatula or clean hands so it sticks.

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STEP 5: Add the Chocolate Topping

Option A: Use Frosting (Quick & Easy)

1. Remove the lid and foil from the frosting container.

2. Microwave frosting for 15–30 seconds to soften (NOT melt).

3. Stir and pour over the coconut layer.

4. Use a spatula to spread evenly.

Option B: Make Chocolate Ganache (Richer, Less Sweet)

1. Heat ½ cup heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering.

2. Pour over 1 cup chocolate chips in a bowl.

3. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.

4. Pour over cake and spread evenly.

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STEP 6: Chill & Serve

• Cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil.

• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

• This allows the cake to fully absorb the flavors and set properly.

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🍴 Serving Tips

• Slice into squares with a sharp knife.

• Top with:

  • A dollop of whipped cream

  • Mini Mounds bars or chocolate curls

  • A drizzle of extra ganache or chocolate syrup

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🔁 Variations

Variation	How to Do It
Almond Joy Twist	Add sliced almonds under the chocolate topping
Low Sugar Version	Use sugar-free cake mix and unsweetened coconut
Extra Chocolatey	Add mini chocolate chips on top before frosting
Coconut Cream Layer	Spread coconut whipped cream before ganache