This Kahlúa Coffee Chocolate Poke Cake is super moist cake infused with a luscious coffee and chocolate liqueur mixture. It’s a chocolate and coffee lovers dream!
This chocolate poke cake is one of the original recipes I posted here on the blog, back in February of 2009. It was served at my friend Heather’s baby shower and I immediately asked for the recipe. Turned out it was so easy that it became my go to brunch dessert for years. But along came so many other recipes to try, I’d forgotten about it.
Until yesterday.
My sister, Jen, hosted her annual Mother’s Day brunch for me, my mom, and her MIL…my only requirement is always to bring dessert and a big appetite. I obliged on both counts. And I pulled this out of the arsenal.
It was just as great as I had remembered. The icing sinks into all the holes and creates a rich, moist, and coffee flavored chocolate cake. Seriously amazing.
Honestly, it’s like the original “poke” cake before I knew what a poke cake was!
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How To Make This Poke Cake Recipe
Kahlua Coffee Chocolate Poke Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 15.25 ounce package dark chocolate cake mix
- 4 ounce package instant chocolate pudding
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup brewed coffee , cooled
- 1/4 cup crème de cocoa
- 1/3 cup Kahlúa
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons Kahlúa
- 2 tablespoons crème de cocoa
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine all the ingredients for the cake in a large bowl; whisk together until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour into the bundt pan and bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool for 15 minutes; invert from pan onto a serving plate.
- Prepare the icing by combining all the ingredients until smooth.
- With a skewer, punch holes throughout the cake and pour the icing over the cake while it is still warm.
- Cut into slices and serve with whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.
Nutrition
Debbie says
Made this today for our Mother’s Day tomorrow! Had to try it. Couldn’t wait! Easy and absolutely delicious!!!
Jessica says
Would it work to skip the creme de cocoa? I don’t have it. Is there something else I could use in its place?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Jessica – hm. You could try to using more coffee or Kahlúa , but it won’t deliver the same results since creme de cocoa is a sweet-chocolate liqueur. It’s such a small amount, though that it should still be delicious!
Dacia says
Made this last weekend for some family and friends. It was a big hit. Delicious! I’m going to use the icing to dress up a pan of brownies tomorrow! Yum yum yum!
dat hang cau thang says
This cake so delisious, it’s my favorite because it’s part of a beloved weekly family tradition– Sunday cake and ice cream and a movie. We’ve been doing it as long as I can remember (even when you’re on a diet, you still eat Sunday night cake in our family!), and now I do it with my husband and daughter too
Heather says
Just made this cake last week! This time I took a jar of store bought dark chocolate frosting and microwaved it and then poured it over the cake on top of the other icing! Talk about decadent and delicious!
Amy @Belly Full says
Oh good lordy. Sounds amazing!
Monic says
Where can I find the cream de cocoa? What is it? I had never seen it. I would like to bake this cake for my boyfriend this weekend.
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Monic – please scroll down about 7 comments to where I answered Kat. She had the same question. Thanks!
Barbara says
Could i substitute Baileys Irish Cream for Creme de Cocoa?
Amy @Belly Full says
Ooooh, YES! That would be delicious!
Gingah milnes says
Great recipe
linda says
Can I bake my chocolate cake instead of using package chocolate cake mix?
Amy @Belly Full says
Of course! Just make sure your recipe yields the same amount so all the other ratios stay in tact.
Jackie says
This is going to be tried as soon as I can get all the ingredients. It sounds so delicious! YUM
A says
The recipe didn’t specify so I got dark creme de cocoa…. Do you think that will work?
Amy @Belly Full says
Yes, that’s what I use :)
Kelly says
I’m trying to figure out if this is powder? The creme de cocoa
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Kelly – creme de cocoa is a liqueur.
Doris Spiller says
It look’s so good I would like to fix it this week.But what is kahlua?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Doris – Kahlúa is a coffee-flavored rum-based liqueur. Depending on where you live, you can find it at any liquor store and almost all grocery stores in the liquor aisle.
Samara says
Where can I get the recipe? Or buy it already made?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Samara – since you were able to find this article and post a comment, not sure why you don’t see the recipe. Scroll up for the printable card. Thanks!
Charlotte from AZ says
This sounds soooooo good and so easy too!
Will definitely be making it real soon!
Thx for sharing!
Patricia says
I made this cake for the 1st time last weekend and can’t tell you the reactions I got. The common comment/question was “There’s something in the cake that I can’t figure out. It tastes really good and moist!”. As soon as I said, “Kahlua” people responded, “OOHHHH!!! That’s what it is!”. The recipe’s a keeper – thanks Amy!
Amy @Belly Full says
Awesome! So happy to hear it! This is always a hit whenever I serve it :)
kat says
what is ” crème de cocoa” ? I am new to baking and do not know what this is?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Kat – crème de cocoa is a sweet, light colored syrupy drink or chocolate liqueur, which has a flavor of cocoa and vanilla. It can be found in the liqueur section of most grocery stores.
kat says
Amy, what is it called and what do I look for ?Do I look for crème de cocoa ? or is there a name brand to look for?
Amy @Belly Full says
Yes, it’s actually called crème de cocoa, but there are many different manufacturers. If you Google for it, you can get a visual, here http://bit.ly/1jdOhcn – or ask one of the employees at the store. They should know where to find it.
kat says
Ty Amy
Brandye says
Yum!! Just need some vanilla vodka and you can use the leftover creme de cocoa and kahlua to make mocha martinis.
Linda says
I have Kahlua but not the Creme de cocoa. Can you just use Kahlua for both? Looks awesome!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Linda – thanks! But, you really need both. The Creme de cocoa is sweet and syrupy/creamy and lends to the overall moistness and flavor of the cake. You could try it without, but I can’t guarantee the results.
Nancy Long says
this is similar to one I’ve been making for over 20 years to give as Christmas gifts. Mine calls for sour cream and you don’t poke it. I make it into loafs and make a Kahlua simple syrup to brush them with. People start asking for them long before the holidays.
Amy @Very Culinary says
I bet. Anything with these ingredients is a recipe to be loved. Sounds delicious!
Annabelle says
Must Must Must try this. Looks too delicious to eat.
I do see a big crack in the cake though….is that something that one should expect?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Oh, HA. I’ve never even noticed that…and nobody has ever mentioned it. Um..I don’t know. I’ve made this several times and I don’t remember it ever cracking, but maybe it does – that piece might have broken when I was plating. I honestly, don’t remember, sorry! You’ll eat it so fast, it won’t matter. Lol.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Nooooo! We don’t have cake or pudding mix here! I know you can make it homemade but it doesn’t come out the same. Booo. :(
I’m saving this for when I’m back in the US! I looks AMAZING! I can’t wait. :)
Wendy says
I can’t get over how moist and rich the cake looks! This certainly raises a cake mix to a whole new level. :)
Heather says
I honestly can say I don’t think I have had that cake since the shower! How sad is that? It looks delish and you have inspired me to make it again (even though Mike and the kids don’t like coffee flavored anything! I’ll make it for me. :) Happy belated Mother’s day!
Dana says
So, if I don’t have Kahlua, or if I want to take this to a church (i.e., booze free) event, what could I use instead? Because I REALLY NEED to make this…
Amy says
Oh boy, Dana, I really don’t know. The Kahlua is part of its yummy factor. I suppose you could just replace it with more coffee or espresso…
Eva D says
The alcohol will bake out of the cake so essentially you are just getting the great taste without the booze so kids can eat it too.
Joanne says
I see you and I both went the boozy route for Mother’s Day! (I made tiramisu!) I love the idea of the icing seeping into the cake’s insides.
Stephanie says
I’ve never heard of poke cake, and judging by THIS recipe, I have been missing out on some seriously delicious schtuff for the last 27 years….. Must. Make. Now.
Jay says
As the BIL…I can attest…It ws SERIOUSLY delicious.
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
Faaaaaabeeeeeeeewlush!
Kim says
Oh golly this looks good. Sinfully good. Kahlua gets me every time. I could take a BIG slice of this with a cup of Kahlua coffee or a White Russian. See…this cake is a temptress!