Double Chocolate Toffee Poke Cake is an extra-moist, intensely chocolatey dessert—filled with rich toffee sauce, topped with whipped cream and chocolate, and finished with an extra drizzle of toffee.
This Double Chocolate Toffee Poke Cake delivers everything you want from an indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert: a tender chocolate base, pockets of gooey toffee, a cloud of lightly sweetened whipped cream, and a final sprinkle of chocolate for texture and contrast. If you love chocolate and toffee, this cake is designed to satisfy that craving. The poke-cake technique—making holes in the cake and filling them with sauce—ensures every slice is moist and packed with flavor.
I’d been craving a moist, caramel- or toffee-forward poke cake for weeks and couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I developed this version myself. I aimed for a balance of deep chocolate and buttery toffee, with a fresh whipped cream topping to cut the richness slightly and add a light, airy finish. The result is a cake that’s easy to assemble but tastes like something more elaborate.
The method is simple and forgiving: any good-quality boxed chocolate cake mix can be used as the base, or substitute your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe. I fold in chocolate chips for extra pockets of melted chocolate and bake the cake in a rectangular dish. While still warm, poke holes across the surface, pour in a generous amount of toffee sauce so it sinks into the crumb, and spread the remaining sauce across the top. After chilling, a whipped cream layer and scattered chocolate pieces complete the presentation.
When preparing this cake, keep in mind it’s intentionally sweet and indulgent—perfect for celebrations, potlucks, or whenever you want a decadent treat to share. Chill time helps the flavors meld and makes slicing neater, so plan for at least a couple of hours in the refrigerator before serving. For the best texture, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between slices.
Double Chocolate Toffee Poke Cake
Author: Linda Nortje
Summary: A moist chocolate cake filled with toffee sauce, topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream and chocolate pieces. Chill before serving for best results.
Details
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Chilling Time: 2 hrs
- Total Time: 40 mins (plus chilling)
- Servings: 15
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box)
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips (slivered chips work well)
- 1 1/2 cups toffee sauce (use your preferred brand)
- 1 cup fresh cream (double cream or whipping cream)
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar (super fine sugar, not powdered)
- 1/2 cup chocolate pieces (any type, for sprinkling)
To serve
- Extra toffee sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix following the package directions, folding in the chocolate chips at the end. Bake the cake in a 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inch) oven dish or a similar-sized pan. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely.
- When the cake is cool, use the handle end of a wooden spoon or another rounded tool to poke holes all over the surface. Pour 1 cup of toffee sauce into the holes so it sinks into the cake. Spread the remaining toffee sauce evenly across the top.
- Whip the fresh cream until it forms stiff peaks. Add the caster sugar and beat briefly just to combine, taking care not to overwhip. Spoon or spread the whipped cream over the layer of toffee.
- Sprinkle the chocolate pieces across the whipped cream for texture and visual contrast. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set and allow the flavors to meld.
To serve
Slice the cake and serve with an extra drizzle of toffee sauce if desired. Note: this is a very sweet and indulgent dessert—adjust portions accordingly.
Other chocolate cake ideas
- Amarula Chocolate Caramel Cake
- Chocolate Pound Cake
- Magic Chocolate Custard Cake
Tips: For a firmer whipped cream layer, chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of toffee used to fill the holes and reserve more for drizzling on the side. For added texture, try folding a handful of chopped nuts into the whipped cream or sprinkling toasted nuts over the top before serving.
Nutrition information, where provided, may not always be accurate—check ingredient labels if you need precise dietary details.