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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    February 17, 2022

    Almond Joy Poke Cake

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    This Almond Joy Poke Cake starts with a chocolate cake that gets poked and drizzled with a coconut cream sauce and topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut and sliced almonds. It's a flavor-packed cake perfect for any gathering!

    Jump to Recipe
    almond joy poke cake on a wooden board

    When people ask what my favorite candy bar is, it's usually a surprise when Almond Joys or Mounds bars are at the top of my list. I get it - not everyone likes coconut, but I can't get enough of it!!!

    If you are a fan of coconut and love a good poke cake, you're in for a real treat with this one!! It's got all of the flavors of an Almond Joy candy bar in a 9x13" cake!

    What's "Poke Cake?"

    If you've never had a poke cake, you need to....like ASAP! A poke cake is a cake (can be any flavor) that has holes poked into it that are filled with some type of syrup or pudding mixture. That sets the tone for a super moist cake that'll get topped with whipped cream or a mousse and other garnishes.

    ingredients needed to make an almond joy poke cake on a white background

    Ingredients Needed

    • Chocolate Cake Mix - Devil's food cake mix or dark chocolate cake mix will work great, too! You can also opt to make a homemade chocolate cake baked into a 9x13" pan.
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk - Do NOT confuse this with evaporated milk! 🙂
    • Cream of Coconut - This is the brand I prefer! It can be found at most grocery stores in the wine/liquor section with the mixers. You'll want to be sure to shake it well before measuring.
    • Shredded Sweetened Coconut
    • Whipped Topping
    • Sliced Almonds
    pouring chocolate cake batter into a greased 9x13" pan

    How to Make Almond Joy Poke Cake

    First, you'll make the cake. As mentioned above, you can use a box mix or make one from scratch. Either way, you'll want to bake it in a greased 9x13" pan.

    chocolate cake in a 9x13" pan with a pink straw poking holes into it

    Once the cake is out of the oven, you'll poke the holes (while it's hot). To do this, you can use the end of a wooden spoon, a meat fork or a thick straw.

    chocolate poke cake with sweetened condensed milk mixture being poured over top

    Next, you're going to pour a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut over the cake, again while it's still warm. This will allow the mixture to soak into the holes of the cake, bringing lovely moisture and flavor!! Next up is a layer of coconut.

    9x13 pan with a cake topped with whipped topping

    Next up is a layer of whipped topping! I used a frozen (and thawed) tub of Cool Whip, but a stabilized homemade whipped cream would work great, too!

    sheet pan with toasted coconut and sliced almonds

    And last but not least, the toasted coconut and almonds!! Though toasting the coconut and almonds is optional, I love the additional depth of flavor and crunch it brings. Once they're toasted, you'll let them cool and then sprinkle them onto the cake.

    top down view of a cake topped with toasted coconut and sliced almonds

    Does a Poke Cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, most all poke cakes need to be refrigerated, including this Almond Joy Poke Cake. Simply cover the cake with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days after making.

    a forkful of chocolate cake with coconut flakes

    Try more Poke Cake Recipes!!

    Triple Lemon Poke Cake

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

    Berry Cheesecake Poke Cake

    Hot Chocolate Poke Cake

    piece of almond joy poke cake on a wooden board with another piece of cake in the background

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Piece of Almond Joy cake with a bite out of it

    Almond Joy Poke Cake

    kelsey
    This Almond Joy Poke Cake starts with a chocolate cake that gets poked and drizzled with a coconut cream sauce and topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut and sliced almonds.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Chill Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box chocolate cake mix (or devil's food cake mix) and ingredients listed on box to make the cake
    • One 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
    • ¾ cup cream of coconut
    • 2 ½ cups shredded sweetened coconut divided
    • One 8 oz tub whipped topping
    • 1 cup sliced almonds

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13" pan.
    • Prepare the cake according to package instructions for a 9x13" pan and bake.
    • While the cake is in the oven, whisk together the cream of coconut and the sweetened condensed milk; set aside.
    • Immediately after removing it from the oven, poke holes in the cake with the end of a wooden spoon or a sturdy straw.
    • Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the warm cake and cover with 1 ½ cups of the coconut (save the rest for topping!).
    • Let cool for at least two hours.
    • *Spread the remaining coconut and slivered almonds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown; let cool.
    • Spread the whipped topping over the cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut and almonds.

    Notes

    If you'd prefer a homemade chocolate cake, this one is my absolute favorite!!!  Simply pour into a greased 9x13" pan (rather than the round pans).
    *Toasting the coconut and almond slices is completely optional.  I love the extra flavor it gives, but if you're in a pinch for time, you can skip it!
    Keyword cake, poke cake
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Liz Hall says

      June 07, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      At my request, my husband made this a few weeks ago. It was decadently delicious! My son who claims he dislikes coconut also loved it!

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        June 09, 2022 at 3:30 pm

        Awesome! And I love that your son even enjoyed it! 🙂 -Kelsey

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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