Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, and it is genuinely recommended. This cake can be made up to two days ahead and actually tastes better the next day as the caramel soaks in and the flavors meld together most completely. The make-ahead nature of this poke cake makes it the most perfectly convenient option for any planned potluck, party, or holiday gathering.

Can I use a different pudding flavor?

Yes. Vanilla, butterscotch, or even caramel pudding all substitute beautifully for chocolate pudding in this recipe, each producing the most completely different but equally extraordinary flavor profile that complements the chocolate cake base and caramel filling. Choose whichever pudding flavor most appeals to personal taste.

Do I have to use Cool Whip?

No. Homemade whipped cream works just as well as Cool Whip in this recipe. If planning to store the cake for more than a day, stabilize the homemade whipped cream with a bit of powdered sugar or unflavored gelatin to help it hold its shape and texture for the most extended period possible.

Turtle Poke Cake Easy Chocolate Caramel Pecan Recipe

Name: Turtle Poke Cake The Most Easy Chocolate Caramel Sweetened Condensed Milk Pecan Pudding Cake You Will Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: PT-497461H13M23S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box 15.25 oz Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix; 1 cup Water; 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil; 3 large Eggs; 1 cup Caramel Sauce store-bought or homemade; 1 can 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk; 1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix and milk per package directions; 1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips; 1 1/2 cups Chopped Pecans toasted; 1 cup Caramel Sauce for drizzling; 1 cup Whipped Topping or Whipped Cream optional

Description

The most decadent Turtle Poke Cake made by preheating oven to 350°F greasing 9×13-inch pan whisking chocolate cake mix water vegetable oil and eggs until smooth pouring into pan baking 28 to 32 minutes until toothpick clean poking holes 1 inch apart across warm cake mixing 1 cup caramel sauce with 14 oz sweetened condensed milk pouring slowly over warm cake letting it seep into holes cooling completely then refrigerating 1 hour preparing instant chocolate pudding spreading over cooled cake chilling 30 minutes spreading whipped topping over pudding sprinkling chocolate chips and toasted chopped pecans drizzling caramel sauce in zigzag pattern and refrigerating minimum 4 hours or overnight before slicing. A completely extraordinary decadent turtle poke cake recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box 15.25 oz Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

1 cup Water

1/2 cup Vegetable Oil

3 large Eggs

1 cup Caramel Sauce store-bought or homemade

1 can 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix and milk per package directions

1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 cups Chopped Pecans toasted

1 cup Caramel Sauce for drizzling

1 cup Whipped Topping or Whipped Cream optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F 175°C. Grease 9×13-inch pan.

2. Whisk cake mix, water, oil, and eggs until smooth. Pour into pan. Bake 28 to 32 minutes until toothpick clean.

3. While warm, poke holes 1 inch apart across entire top of cake.

4. Mix caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour slowly over warm cake letting seep into holes.

5. Cool completely. Refrigerate minimum 1 hour to set caramel.

6. Prepare instant chocolate pudding per package directions. Let thicken slightly. Spread evenly over cooled cake. Chill 30 minutes to set.

7. Spread thick layer of whipped topping over pudding if using.

8. Sprinkle chocolate chips and toasted pecans evenly over top.

9. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce in zigzag pattern.

10. Refrigerate minimum 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cake, Holiday, Potluck
Method: Baking, Chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 480
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 290mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: turtle poke cake, easy chocolate caramel pecan turtle poke cake recipe, best decadent turtle candy poke cake potluck dessert, sweetened condensed milk caramel chocolate poke cake