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German Chocolate Poke Cake

A deliciously decadent cake that combines chocolate layers soaked in a rich coconut-pecan frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: American, German
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 box German chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
For the Poke Sauce
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup chocolate syrup
For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Method
 

Bake the Cake
  1. Preheat your oven according to the cake mix directions. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth, pour the batter into your prepared pan, and bake according to package directions until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Poke the Cake
  1. Once the cake is cool, take a wooden spoon handle or something similar and poke holes all over the surface of the cake, ensuring enough holes for the sweet goodness to seep in.
Pour on the Sauce
  1. In a separate bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate syrup until well blended. Pour this mixture over the poked cake, letting it seep into the holes.
Make the Frosting
  1. In a saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolks over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture starts to thicken, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Let it cool slightly before spreading it over the cake.
Chill and Serve
  1. Allow your cake to chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving so the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

Keep an eye on your cake while it’s baking. You can double the recipe for a two-layer cake or customize your fillings by swapping out pecans for walnuts or adding chocolate chips.