Key Takeaways:
- Poke While Warm: Creating holes immediately after baking allows for maximum absorption of the coconut soak.
- Chill Time is Critical: Refrigerating for at least one hour ensures the filling sets and the cake achieves peak moistness.
- Use a Box Mix: Starting with a chocolate cake mix makes this rich dessert incredibly quick and easy to prepare.
- Pourable Frosting: Microwaving the frosting creates a smooth, glossy, and professional-looking top layer.
Mounds Poke Cake is a rich chocolate cake, typically made from a mix, that is drenched in a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream immediately after baking, making it incredibly moist. It is then topped with a layer of shredded coconut and finished with a smooth chocolate frosting layer before chilling.
What Makes Mounds Poke Cake So Special?
Mounds Poke Cake captures the iconic flavor of the Mounds candy bar, combining deep chocolate with sweet, creamy coconut. This cake is a perfect choice when you need a dessert that feels truly indulgent but does not require hours of complicated baking techniques. You will appreciate how quickly this dessert comes together.
This dessert is loved for its incredible texture, which is far moister than a standard sheet cake. The process of poking holes and pouring a liquid soak into the warm cake is what gives it this dense, decadent, and saturated crumb. Serving the cake chilled also enhances the fudge-like quality of the chocolate frosting.
Selecting the Right Chocolate Cake Mix
To start your Mounds Poke Cake, choosing the correct cake base is very important for the final flavor profile. Look for a mix labeled as “Devil’s Food” or “Chocolate Fudge” to guarantee a rich, deep cocoa taste that pairs perfectly with the coconut. Be sure to follow all the package instructions carefully for the best texture.
For an even richer flavor, you can replace the water called for in the box mix with brewed coffee or whole milk. Coffee is known to enhance the natural flavor of cocoa powder without making the cake taste like coffee. This small step ensures your cake base is moist and robust before adding the signature coconut soak.
The Essential Technique of Poking Holes
Poking the holes is the defining step of any poke cake recipe and should be done as soon as the cake comes out of the oven. Use a tool like the handle of a wooden spoon or a large fork to create wide holes, ensuring they are evenly spaced about one inch apart across the entire surface. Do not be gentle; you want the holes to be deep.
The warmth of the cake is crucial here, as it helps the cake absorb the coconut cream mixture like a sponge. If you wait too long, the cake cools, the holes shrink, and the creamy soak cannot penetrate the layers effectively. The immediate drenching is what creates that signature ultra-moist interior you are aiming for.
Mixing the Creamy Coconut Soak
The signature flavor of Mounds Poke Cake comes from a simple mixture of two key canned ingredients. You need sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream, which should be whisked together in a medium bowl until they are completely smooth. This creates the sweet, milky coconut filling.
Ensure you mix these ingredients until there are no streaks of either substance visible. Once combined, pour the liquid slowly and evenly over the warm, freshly poked cake. You will see it seep down into the holes, which is exactly what you want to achieve maximum moisture and flavor saturation.
Why Cooling and Chilling Are Mandatory Steps
After pouring the coconut soak over the cake, you must let it cool completely to room temperature for about one to two hours. During this time, the warm cake continues to draw in the liquid, intensifying the coconut flavor. Patience now leads to a much more satisfying final dessert.
Refrigerating the finished cake for at least an hour is a non-negotiable step. Chilling the cake allows the condensed milk to set and thicken inside the holes, giving the cake a dense, creamy, and fudgy consistency. A properly chilled cake slices cleanly and tastes infinitely better than a room-temperature one.
The Secret to a Perfect Pourable Frosting
To get that smooth, glossy finish that mimics a chocolate glaze, you will use a container of pre-made chocolate frosting and microwave it briefly. Only heat it for about 20 to 30 seconds, stirring halfway through, until it becomes thin and pourable. The goal is a consistency that flows easily.
Pouring this slightly melted frosting over the layer of shredded coconut creates a beautiful, even layer that sets up nicely when chilled. If the frosting is too thick, simply microwave it for another 10 seconds. You want it smooth enough to spread lightly without disturbing the coconut beneath it.
Choosing the Best Coconut for This Recipe
This recipe specifically calls for sweetened shredded coconut, which is essential for achieving the classic Mounds candy bar sweetness. This type of coconut contains sugar and stays soft, providing a lovely textural contrast to the dense cake. You should spread the coconut evenly over the cooled, soaked cake before adding the chocolate frosting.
If you prefer an even toastier coconut flavor, you can lightly toast a portion of the shredded coconut in a dry pan until golden brown before sprinkling it on top. This subtle change adds a nice depth of flavor and a little bit of crunch. You can read more about enhancing flavors in our other posts.
Garnishing Your Decadent Mounds Poke Cake
While the finished cake is delicious on its own, a simple garnish can elevate the presentation significantly. Toasted coconut is a classic choice, as it highlights the primary flavor of the cake and adds an attractive golden color. Simply toast a small amount in a dry skillet over medium heat until it turns fragrant and light brown.
Alternatively, you could sprinkle the top with almond slivers if you sometimes feel like a nut, leaning into the Almond Joy flavor profile. A drizzle of dark chocolate ganache is another elegant option to consider. Look at our Desserts Category for more topping ideas.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
The Mounds Poke Cake is best served chilled, straight from the refrigerator. The cold temperature accentuates the moist, fudgy texture of the cake and the solid set of the filling and frosting. Slice it into 12 generous servings, as specified in the recipe details you provided.
You can serve each slice on its own, or you might pair it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator, where the cake will remain perfectly moist for up to five days. It actually tastes even better on the second day!
Troubleshooting Common Poke Cake Issues
Why Is My Cake Dry?
If your cake seems dry, it is highly probable that the coconut soak was not applied while the cake was still warm enough. The holes in a cooled cake begin to close up, which prevents the liquid from fully penetrating the layers. Ensure you poke and pour within five to ten minutes of removing the cake from the oven for the best results.
Another issue might be too few holes; do not be afraid to poke liberally across the entire surface using a wooden spoon handle, not just a fork. The goal is to fully saturate the cake. Consider checking out tips on preventing dry cakes on Wikipedia’s cake page for foundational baking science.
My Frosting is Sliding Off!
The most common cause of sliding frosting is applying it while the cake is still warm. The residual heat will melt the chocolate, causing it to run down the sides instead of setting up as a smooth layer. You must ensure the entire cake is completely cool to room temperature before sprinkling the coconut layer and adding the melted frosting.
Also, if you heat your frosting in the microwave for too long, it can become overly thin and liquidy. If this happens, let it sit at room temperature for five to ten minutes to cool slightly and thicken up before you pour it over the top of your cake. This ensures a perfect set once the cake is refrigerated.
Making This Dessert Ahead of Time
This Mounds Poke Cake is the ideal make-ahead dessert, as it absolutely requires several hours of chilling time to reach its peak flavor and texture. Preparing it a day in advance is actually encouraged because it gives the coconut cream mixture maximum time to soak into the chocolate cake base.
The day-ahead preparation also allows the chocolate frosting to set firm, making the cake much easier and cleaner to slice and serve at a party or event. You can easily find more inspiration for entertaining and make-ahead recipes on our Pinterest account and Instagram page, like this delicious butter chicken.
Customizing the Mounds Poke Cake
One simple customization is changing the flavor of the cake mix. While chocolate is traditional for Mounds Poke Cake, you could try using a yellow cake mix for a slightly less intense flavor contrast. A white cake mix would also work well, allowing the coconut and chocolate toppings to really shine brightly on the plate.
For an added crunch and a nod to the Almond Joy bar, you can add about a half cup of finely chopped almonds to the cake batter before baking. Another great option is drizzling a caramel sauce over the chocolate frosting before serving. This creates a delightful salted caramel variation that your guests will surely love.
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Mounds Poke Cake (Ultra-Moist Chocolate Coconut Dessert)
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Description
This Mounds Poke Cake is a coconut lover’s dream dessert loaded with rich chocolate and creamy coconut flavors. Using a simple cake mix, this recipe delivers an ultra-moist, decadent cake that is perfect for making ahead of time.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
- 1 box chocolate cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
For the Coconut Soak:
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- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 15 oz can coconut cream
For the Topping:
- 7 oz package sweetened shredded coconut
- 12 oz container chocolate frosting
- Toasted coconut or almond slivers for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to package instructions and bake in a greased 9×13 baking pan until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is still warm, use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the top, about 1 inch apart.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream until fully combined.
- Pour the coconut milk mixture evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to seep down into all the holes.
- Let the cake cool completely to room temperature, about 1-2 hours. As it cools, the cake will absorb the coconut milk soak.
- Once cooled, sprinkle the shredded sweetened coconut evenly over the top of the cake.
- Microwave the chocolate frosting for 20-30 seconds until pourable. Pour it over the coconut layer and use a spatula to spread it evenly.
- If desired, garnish with toasted coconut or almond slivers.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before slicing to allow it to set up fully.
- Serve chilled, either on its own or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Pro Tip on Poking: Make sure the cake is still warm when you poke the holes; this is critical for the maximum absorption of the coconut soak. The longer it sits, the less liquid it will draw in, resulting in a drier cake.
Storage: Store the cake, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This dessert is excellent when made a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
Keywords: Mounds Poke Cake, chocolate coconut cake, dessert, make-ahead cake