The Best Mounds Poke Cake Recipe for Coconut Lovers

Chocolate lovers find themselves irresistibly drawn to this decadent Mounds poke cake that changes ordinary dessert into an extraordinary experience.

Sweet coconut and rich chocolate create a magical combination that dances across taste buds with remarkable intensity.

The classic flavor profile emerges through carefully layered ingredients, promising an indulgent journey for anyone craving something truly special.

Smooth, creamy textures blend seamlessly, offering a sophisticated twist on traditional cake preparations.

Each forkful carries delightful hints of tropical sweetness balanced by deep, luxurious chocolate undertones.

Layers of moisture and flavor intertwine, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and excitingly new.

Unexpected culinary magic happens when simple ingredients merge in just the right proportions, elevating this cake from ordinary to extraordinary.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Mounds Poke Cake

• Indulge in Tropical Coconut Bliss: This cake transforms a simple chocolate cake into a decadent dessert bursting with rich coconut flavors that transport you to a dreamy island paradise.
• Effortless Wow-Factor Dessert: The poke cake method makes creating an impressive treat super easy, with no complex baking skills required- just poke, pour, and enjoy a restaurant-worthy dessert.
• Textural Symphony in Every Bite: Experience a delightful contrast between the moist chocolate cake, creamy coconut filling, crunchy coconut topping, and smooth chocolate drizzle that creates a multilayered sensory experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This cake actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for preparing in advance for parties or potlucks, saving you last-minute stress and allowing flavors to meld beautifully.

Mounds Poke Cake Pantry Checklist

• Chocolate Cake Mix: A convenient base that ensures a rich, moist chocolate foundation for the dessert, easy to prepare with consistent results.
• Vegetable Oil, Eggs: Standard mix-in ingredients for creating a smooth and tender cake texture.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut Cream: Creamy combination that adds moisture and intense coconut flavor, creating a luscious soaking liquid for the cake.

• Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Provides classic coconut texture and enhances the tropical flavor profile, adds visual appeal.
• Chocolate Frosting: Creates a rich, smooth final layer that complements the coconut theme, best when slightly warmed for easy spreading.
• Toasted Coconut, Almond Slivers: Optional garnish that adds extra crunch and nutty dimension to the dessert.

• Whipped Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic accompaniments that complement the cake's rich chocolate and coconut flavors.

Step-by-Step: Making Mounds Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare Chocolate Canvas

Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Mix cake ingredients according to package directions. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 2: Create Hole Landscape

While cake is warm, gently poke holes across the surface using a wooden spoon handle. Space holes about 1 inch apart.

Step 3: Craft Coconut Liquid

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Coconut cream

Whisk until ingredients are smoothly combined.

Step 4: Drench Cake with Tropical Moisture

Pour coconut mixture evenly over warm cake, ensuring liquid fills every hole.

Step 5: Cool and Absorb

Let cake rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours. During this time, cake will soak up the coconut mixture.

Step 6: Sprinkle Coconut Blanket

Distribute sweetened shredded coconut uniformly across cake surface.

Step 7: Drizzle Chocolate Waterfall

Warm chocolate frosting in microwave for 20-30 seconds until pourable. Cascade frosting over coconut layer, spreading evenly with spatula.

Step 8: Optional Fancy Finishing

• Toasted coconut
• Almond slivers

Step 9: Chill and Set

Refrigerate cake for minimum 1 hour to solidify layers.

Step 10: Serve Delightful Dessert

Slice and serve chilled. Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Tips to Perfect Your Mounds Poke Cake

• Hole-Poking Technique: Create consistent, evenly spaced holes for maximum coconut milk absorption by using the handle end of a wooden spoon and maintaining a steady 1-inch grid pattern.
• Milk Mixture Magic: Whisk sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy filling that penetrates every cake layer.
• Cooling Patience: Let the cake cool completely at room temperature to allow full coconut milk absorption and prevent soggy or overly wet cake texture.
• Chocolate Drizzle Pro: Microwave frosting in short bursts and stir between intervals to achieve a perfect pourable consistency without burning or scorching.
• Topping Transformation: Toast coconut or almond slivers briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake's surface.

Mounds Poke Cake Storage and Reheat Guide

• Refrigerate: Store the Mounds Poke Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Enjoy chilled or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain the cake's delicate texture and prevent soggy layers.

Great Pairings for Mounds Poke Cake

• Enhance Chocolate Indulgence: Pair this Mounds Poke Cake with a rich, dark roast coffee that complements the chocolate and coconut flavors, cutting through the sweetness with its bold, robust profile.
• Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a chilled glass of coconut milk or a tropical coconut-based cocktail like a piña colada to amplify the cake's tropical coconut essence.
• Contrast with Brightness: Add a scoop of tangy raspberry sorbet or a small citrus salad to create a refreshing counterpoint to the cake's rich, sweet layers, balancing the dessert's intense flavors.
• Textural Delight: Top with toasted almond slivers or pair with crunchy amaretti cookies to introduce a delightful nutty texture that enhances the cake's smooth, moist characteristics.

New Ways to Try Mounds Poke Cake

• Tropical Paradise Poke Cake: Replace coconut cream with passion fruit puree for a tangy, exotic flavor profile that transforms the traditional recipe into a vibrant Caribbean-inspired dessert.
• Dark Chocolate Almond Edition: Swap milk chocolate frosting with rich dark chocolate and mix crushed almonds into the coconut layer for a sophisticated, nutty experience that elevates the cake's complexity.
• Caribbean Rum Infusion: Add a splash of coconut rum to the condensed milk mixture before pouring over the warm cake, creating a decadent adult version with subtle alcoholic warmth and deeper flavor notes.
• Coconut Mocha Fusion: Incorporate instant espresso powder into the cake batter and drizzle mocha ganache instead of chocolate frosting for a coffee-lover's dream that blends smooth coconut and robust coffee undertones.

Mounds Poke Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mounds poke cake delivers a tropical chocolate paradise with coconut cream filling and rich chocolate glaze. Creamy layers promise a dreamy dessert experience that chocolate and coconut enthusiasts will savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
• 14 ounces (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 15 ounces (425 grams) coconut cream
• 7 ounces (198 grams) sweetened shredded coconut

Topping Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) chocolate frosting
• Toasted coconut or almond slivers for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the chocolate cake according to package guidelines in a thoroughly greased 9×13 inch pan, ensuring thorough baking until a toothpick emerges cleanly from the center.
2. While the cake remains piping hot, puncture systematic holes across the entire surface using a wooden spoon handle, maintaining roughly 1-inch intervals between perforations.
3. Create a luxurious coconut mixture by whisking sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream until perfectly integrated and silky smooth.
4. Meticulously drench the warm cake with the prepared coconut liquid, carefully guiding the mixture into every created perforation.
5. Allow the cake to rest and normalize at ambient temperature, permitting complete absorption of the coconut essence over approximately 1-2 hours.
6. Liberally blanket the cake’s surface with delicate sweetened shredded coconut, ensuring uniform coverage.
7. Transform the chocolate frosting into a fluid state by gently warming in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until pourable.
8. Cascade the molten chocolate frosting over the coconut layer, smoothing with a spatula to achieve an even, glossy finish.
9. Optional: Embellish with toasted coconut fragments or delicate almond slivers for enhanced texture and visual appeal.
10. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of one hour, allowing complete structural stabilization before serving.
11. Present chilled, accompanied by optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent experience.

Notes

• Strategically poke holes while the cake is warm to ensure maximum absorption of the rich coconut milk mixture.
• Microwaving the chocolate frosting creates a smooth, pourable consistency that covers the cake beautifully and evenly.
• Chilling the cake for at least an hour helps set the layers and intensifies the decadent flavor combination.
• Toasting coconut or adding almond slivers provides an extra crunch and elevates the cake’s texture and visual appeal.
• Serving the cake cold enhances the dessert’s creamy texture and allows the flavors to meld together perfectly.
• This dessert can be prepared ahead of time, making it ideal for gatherings or make-ahead meal planning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg