If you have a sweet tooth and love a dessert that’s both indulgent and irresistibly fun to eat, this Snickers Poke Cake Recipe is going to be your new favorite. Imagine a moist devil’s food cake infused with a luscious caramel and sweetened condensed milk soak, topped with whipped cream, chopped Snickers, peanuts, and drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauces. It’s like having a complete candy bar experience in every forkful, but even better because it feels homemade and special. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner, or just craving a delightful treat, this Snickers Poke Cake Recipe delivers on every level of flavor and texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Snickers Poke Cake Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the deep chocolate richness of the devil’s food cake to the creamy sweetness of the whipped topping, all coming together to create a dessert that’s as impressive as it is easy to make.
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix: Provides a moist, chocolatey base that’s rich and perfect for soaking up luscious flavors.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds creaminess and sweetness that seeps deep into the cake for that irresistible poke effect.
- Caramel Ice Cream Topping: Brings a buttery, smooth caramel flavor that blends perfectly with the condensed milk.
- Chocolate Chips: Scatter these on top for melty bursts of chocolate goodness inside every bite.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped into fluffy perfection to crown the cake with a light, creamy texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Naturally sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream for a satisfying finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the dessert’s flavors with its warm, aromatic touch.
- Snickers Candy Bars: Chopped into chunks to add that signature nougat, caramel, and peanut crunch in every mouthful.
- Peanuts: The perfect salty crunch sprinkled on top to balance the sweetness.
- Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Sauce: Drizzled artistically on top for a stunning presentation and extra flavor kick.
How to Make Snickers Poke Cake Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Start by preparing the devil’s food cake mix according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch pan and bake it until perfectly moist and cooked through, about 30 minutes. The deep chocolate flavor really sets the foundation for this decadent dessert.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Milk Soak
While the cake bakes, combine the sweetened condensed milk and the hot caramel ice cream topping in a bowl, stirring until smooth and fully blended. Once the cake comes out of the oven and is still warm, poke holes all over it using a fork or a straw. This step is key for allowing the caramel mixture to seep right into the cake, making each bite unbelievably moist and bursting with flavor. Pour the milk and caramel mixture evenly over the cake, then let it cool completely. Once cooled, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the cake’s surface.
Step 3: Whip and Top
Chill a mixing bowl before whipping the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract on high speed until soft peaks form—about 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold in the chopped Snickers pieces to avoid breaking them up too much, preserving that delightful candy bar texture. Spread this fluffy, creamy topping evenly over the caramel-soaked cake. Finally, sprinkle chopped peanuts over everything for an irresistible crunchy finish and drizzle both caramel and chocolate sauce on top for a dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes. Refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve.
How to Serve Snickers Poke Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Snickers Poke Cake Recipe even more eye-catching and flavorful, add a few whole Mini Snickers bars or candy bits on top along with additional caramel or chocolate drizzle just before serving. Fresh whipped cream rosettes can also elevate its appearance and texture, giving it that bakery-quality look right at home.
Side Dishes
This dessert shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a serving of fresh berries to cut through the richness. A hot cup of coffee or a bold milkshake can also complement the sweet and salty layers, creating a perfectly balanced dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try altering your presentation by cutting the poke cake into individual portions and serving them in clear glass cups or jars for a fun, layered look. Alternatively, you can plate smaller squares with a drizzle of caramel and chocolate sauces artistically swirled on the plate and topped with a Snickers chunk and peanut sprinkle for a restaurant-style impression. This recipe is versatile for casual or elegant occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Snickers Poke Cake Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake actually improves as it sits, allowing the flavors to meld together even more. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 to 4 days, making it a great make-ahead dessert for busy weeks.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dessert, consider freezing it before adding the whipped topping and chopped Snickers. Wrap the plain poke cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing for up to 2 months. Thaw fully in the refrigerator before whipping the topping and assembling the final cake to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature so reheating isn’t typically recommended as it can melt the whipped topping and change the texture. If you’d prefer a warm treat, a quick microwave blast for 10 to 15 seconds just to warm the bottom layer without melting the toppings might do the trick.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade chocolate cake instead of a boxed mix?
Absolutely! While this Snickers Poke Cake Recipe is designed with convenience in mind, a rich homemade devil’s food or chocolate cake will work beautifully and add a personal touch to your dessert.
What other candy bars work well in this recipe?
You can experiment with other candy bars like Milky Way, Twix, or Butterfinger for different flavor profiles, but Snickers gives you that perfect combo of caramel, nougat, chocolate, and peanuts that make this cake truly special.
Is there a way to make this dessert nut-free?
Yes, simply omit the peanuts and any nut-containing candy bars, and perhaps substitute with crunchy toffee bits or cookie crumbs to keep that delightful texture without the nuts.
Can I prepare this cake a day in advance?
Definitely! In fact, letting the poke cake sit overnight in the fridge lets the flavors meld beautifully, making the cake even more moist and flavorful by the time you serve it.
What if I don’t have caramel or chocolate sauce for the drizzle?
You can make a quick caramel sauce at home by melting butter and brown sugar together or simply skip the drizzle—it’s delicious regardless, but those finishing touches add wonderful flair and richness.
Final Thoughts
This Snickers Poke Cake Recipe is a delightful blend of textures and tastes that can brighten any dessert table and bring smiles to every gathering. It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough for celebrations. I encourage you to give it a try—once you do, you might find it becoming one of your go-to desserts when you want to impress with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Print
Snickers Poke Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Snickers Poke Cake is a decadent dessert featuring a rich devil’s food cake soaked with sweetened condensed milk and caramel, topped with chocolate chips, whipped cream mixed with chopped Snickers bars, and finished with chopped peanuts and drizzles of caramel and chocolate sauce. It’s a perfect treat for any special occasion, combining layers of chocolate, caramel, and creamy textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix (plus ingredients needed to prepare the cake, as per package instructions)
Filling and Topping
- 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12.25-oz) jar caramel ice cream topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 (1.86-oz) Snickers candy bars, chopped
- â…“ cup peanuts, chopped
- Caramel sauce, for drizzling
- Chocolate sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven and prepare a 9×13-inch pan according to the cake mix package instructions. Bake the devil’s food cake mix as directed until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Milk-Caramel Mixture & Poke Cake: While the cake bakes, combine the sweetened condensed milk and the hot caramel ice cream topping in a bowl, stirring until smooth and well blended. When the cake is finished baking and still warm, use a fork or a straw to poke holes all over the surface of the cake. Pour the milk and caramel mixture evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely. Once cooled, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cake.
- Make Whipped Cream Topping: In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed using an electric mixer for 1 to 2 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the chopped Snickers candy bars.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread the Snickers whipped cream mixture evenly over the cooled cake layer. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts evenly on top. Finish by drizzling caramel sauce and chocolate sauce over the entire cake. Chill the cake in the refrigerator before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is warm when poking holes so the condensed milk and caramel mixture soaks thoroughly for a moist texture.
- For best results, chill the bowl and beaters before whipping the cream to help it whip faster.
- You can substitute peanuts with chopped almonds or walnuts if preferred.
- Use quality caramel and chocolate sauces for the best flavor impact.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
