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Better Than Anything Cake lives up to its name with its rich, chocolate cake, caramel filling, whipped topping, and toffee bits! It’s an easy poke cake that’s the show-stopping dessert so good everyone will be going back for seconds!
Growing up, my mom always called this “Better Than Anything Cake” but now know it’s more commonly referred to as “Better Than Sex Cake.” Guess she was shielding my innocent ears, haha!! Whatever you want to call it, it’s down-right delish either way!
Why You’ll Love Better Than Anything Cake
Perfect for a Crowd: One 9×13 pan serves 20, so it’s great for potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings!
Starts with a Box Mix: Making it a super easy dessert to put together!
Make it Ahead of Time: It’s best served chilled, which is great as you can have it done well before guests arrive!
Perfect Amount of “Gooey” in the Middle: The perfect ratio of cake to filling making it ultra-moist, but not soggy. Not all recipes are created equal – give it a try and you’ll see why this one gets rave reviews!
Ingredients Needed
If you aren’t counting the ingredients needed to make the cake, this recipe takes just FIVE ingredients!
- Boxed Cake Mix: I like to use Devil’s Food Cake mix as it’s the richest, most intensely chocolate cake variety and the slight bitterness from the deep chocolate flavor pairs well with the sweet fillings and topping. However, you could also use milk chocolate cake mix (a more mild chocolate intensity) or German chocolate cake mix (the mildest of the options). If you prefer, you could make a homemade chocolate cake instead.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Don’t confuse this with other milks (like evaporated milk) as the textures are very different. Sweetened condensed milk is very thick and gooey (similar to the texture of caramel sauce).
- Caramel: Use the jarred caramel sauce (not the caramel syrup that comes in a plastic squeeze bottle as it’s too runny). I use Hershey’s or Smuckers.
- Toffee Bits: You can use a bag of the Heath English Toffee Bits (with or without chocolate) or chop up 4-5 full-sized Heath Bars instead.
- Whipped Topping: For ease, I tend to use a tub of Cool Whip, but you could certainly make your own whipped topping if you prefer.
How to Make Better Than Anything Cake (also known as Better Than Sex Cake)
As I mentioned, this recipe starts with a simple boxed cake mix. Be sure to prepare it according to the instructions in a 9×13-inch pan.
TIP! I recommend setting the timer for 5 minutes less than what the box mix recommends as mine always seems to bake more quickly than what’s said on the box. Remember, you can always add more time, but can’t take it back!
When the cake comes out of the oven, use a thick straw or the back of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. I actually prefer using a straw as most wooden spoons have a handle that’s too large in my opinion!
While the cake is still warm, you’ll drizzle the can of sweetened condensed milk on top followed by 1 cup of the jarred caramel sauce.
TIP! Drizzle the sauces slowly to allow them time to really sink into the holes of the cake instead of just running off to the sides.
Use a rubber spatula to carefully spread the sauce, if needed, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of the toffee bits on top.
Cover the cake with plastic wrap a well-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Top the cake with whipped topping, more toffee pieces, and additional caramel sauce, if desired. You can enjoy right away at this point or refrigerate until ready to devour!
Frequently Asked Questions
I remember my mom making this recipe for special occasions growing up. It was one of those recipes that she didn’t make super often, but when she did, we always got so excited to get a slice!!
The cake need to be refrigerated and will stay good for about 3-4 days. I prefer to enjoy it on days 1, 2, or 3, though as it tends to get borderline soggy after that. (However, in my house, It doesn’t last long, because it’s usually gobbled up before it reaches day 2!)
I prefer to eat this fresh, but you can freeze it for up to 3 months. It’ll freeze best if it has store-bought whipped topping versus homemade and please note that the toffee bits will soften during the freeze-thaw process. If you know you’ll be freezing some of the cake, just add toffee bits to half of the cake and top with the rest when you’re ready to serve it!
Other Poke Cakes You Might Like!
- Chocolate Poke Cake
- Oreo Poke Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
- Turtle Poke Cake
- S’mores Poke Cake
- Almond Joy Poke Cake
- Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Poke Cake
Better Than Anything Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13-inch pan
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil's Food Cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box (eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup caramel topping plus additional for topping, optional
- 3/4 cup toffee bits or chopped Heath candy bars divided
- 1 8-ounce tub whipped topping
Instructions
- Mix and bake the chocolate cake mix according to the box instructions for a 9×13-inch pan.1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large straw to poke holes into the cake while it's still warm.
- Drizzle the can of sweetened condensed milk slowly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- Drizzle the caramel topping over the cake next; spread to an even layer carefully.1 cup caramel topping
- Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of the toffee bits over the cake then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.0.5 cup toffee bits or chopped Heath candy bars
- Spread the whipped topping over the cake followed by the remaining toffee bits and additional caramel (if desired).1 8-ounce tub whipped topping, 0.25 cup toffee bits or chopped Heath candy bars
- Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.
