Poke Cake (BTS Cake) Recipe (2024)

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This is the original BTS or Poke Cake Recipe (as I know it). There are a lot of different versions out there, but this is the classic one for me. Chocolate cake, poked to death, soaked in sweetened condensed milk, and topped with copious amounts of Cool Whip, Heath Toffee Bits, and caramel sundae sauce.

I’ve also included a few of my favorite variations at the bottom of the post!

This is the original recipe that began my ongoing love affair with poke cakes and their many, many recipe variations.

Poke Cake is something my Grandma makes every once in a while for family affairs (although usually in trifle form), and I’m always sure to snag a piece. But the funny thing is, other than those occasional run-ins with this cake, I never really gave it much thought. I mean, I’ve always loved it. It’s always been delicious, and lovely, and I could never get enough.

But it never once crossed my mind in all of my years of poke-cake-eating that it could be done differently.

Until last fall.

October-November was sort of a turning point for me in my recipe development methods. Up until then, I had simply been trying to come up with the most creative recipes I could concoct. But around that time, I was slowly shifting towards more traditional recipes with subtle variations and twists.

And I thought… how could I change this recipe?

The obvious place to start was to exchange cake flavors. And because it was Fall time, and because pumpkin paired nicely with the Heath and caramel already in the recipe, I made a Pumpkin Poke Cake. The only difference between that cake and the original was the exchange of pumpkin cake for the chocolate cake. Easy.

And then that cake went crazy viral on Pinterest, Stumble, and Facebook. So I thought… I guess I’d better make another!

With Christmas just around the corner, I decided to make a Chocolate Peppermint Poke Cake. This time I played around with the sweetened condensed milk filling by blending it with a little bit of peppermint creamer. It made the cake a little more moister than the original, but I loved it. In fact, I prefer it that way!

That Christmas cake was also the first time I experimented with adding a layer of hot fudge sauce, Oreo pieces, and new toppings. Hands down one of my favorite variations. LOVE IT.

As the months have passed, I’ve continued to experiment with new flavors for different holidays (see Valentine’s Red Velvet, Easter Carrot Cake, and Summer Lemon Cake).

I had a lot of fun creating a rainbow-colored cake for St. Patrick’s day. And I’ve even made a skinny version!

There are sooooo many ways you can play with this little ol’ recipe. It’s really such a fun one to change up!

And, it seems, the more Poke Cakes I make, the more questions I get about them. I’ve been shocked at how many people know so little about this cake! So in the spirit of sharing and hoping to make everyone as addicted to this recipe as I am, I thought I’d answer a few of the questions I regularly get asked.

Poke Cake FAQ

What is a poke cake?

A poke cake is a normal cake (baked from a mix or from scratch) with holes poked in the top (either with a fork or the base of a wooden spoon). Sweetened condensed milk, pudding, or jello is then poured over the holes, which allows the liquid to seep into the cake and make it moist and flavorful.

After the cake has chilled for a few hours and the liquid has been absorbed into the cake, it is topped with Cool Whip and other optional toppings (like Heath Bits).

What is a BTS cake?

A BTS cake is basically the same thing as a poke cake, except BTS cake refers only to the version with chocolate, Heath Bits and Caramel. BTS stands for “better than sex.” You’ll have to be the judge of that!

How many holes should I poke in a poke cake?

For heaven’s sake poke as many as you’d like! For those who need an actual number – 24 big holes seem to do the trick. Use the base of a wooden spoon, not a fork.

Do I add the cool whip before or after chilling a poke cake?

You can add the cool whip at any time after the cake is completely cooled and the sweetened condensed milk has been poured. However, it is a little easier after the cake has had time to absorb the condensed milk.

If you’re in a hurry, go ahead and spread it on right away. In the end, it’ll be just fine.

What if my poke cake is too sweet or too moist?

The sweetened condensed milk can be a little overwhelming depending on the cake you use. A cake from scratch will be a little denser and might keep the sweetened condensed milk from “taking over” the cake (as opposed to using a cake mix, which will yield a fluffier cake).

If you don’t like “too much” sweetened condensed milk, simply don’t add the entire can!

About 3/4 of the can will probably suffice. Or consider using prepared pudding instead, that’s yummy too! And it’ll save you some calories and fat!

Poke Cake (BTS Cake) Recipe (5)

BTS Cake or Poke Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 9x13 chocolate cake, prepared and cooled, still in pan
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 16 oz cool whip
  • 1 cup Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
  • 1/2 cup caramel sundae sauce

Instructions

  1. Once the cake has completely cooled, poke 24-30 holes in it using the base of a wooden spoon.
  2. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, aiming to fill the holes.
  3. Cover and chill for a few hours until the cake has absorbed the sweetened condensed milk (you can tell it's absorbed when there aren't pools of sweetened condensed milk sitting on top of or around the sides of the cake anymore).
  4. Spread the cool whip over the cake. Top with the Heath bits and drizzle the caramel syrup over top.
  5. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
  6. Serves 12-15

Notes

When I made this cake for photographing, I was out of Heath Milk Chocolate Candy Bits, so I used Heath Bit O' Brickle Bits and drizzled some chocolate syrup. This works just fine, but if you can find the Milk Chocolate Heath bits-- use those!

More Poke Cake RecipesImage Map

Looking for more Poke Cakes? Here are some of the ones mentioned in this post:

Better than Pumpkin Poke Cake

Better than Peppermint Poke Cake

Better Than Valentine’s Poke Cake

Better than Pot of Gold – Rainbow Poke Cake

Better Than Easter – Carrot Cake Poke Cake

Better than – The Best Lemon Poke Cake

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Poke Cake (BTS Cake) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my poke cake soggy? ›

This can happen when you pour too much liquid into the holes of your cake. This can occur when the holes are less than an inch apart from each other and this is why instant pudding is such a game-changer — its thick consistency won't drench the cake sponge too quickly, resulting in a soggy mess.

Can I use sweetened condensed milk instead of water in cake mix? ›

If you wish to use sweetened condensed milk in your cake mix, diluting this concentrated milk with 50% water is recommended. This homemade mixture can replace the liquid component of your packaged mix yet be aware that since condensed milk is sweet, this may affect the resulting flavor of your boxed cake.

Why is it called poke cake? ›

Poke-and-pour cake (also called poke cake) is a cake recipe that calls for holes to be poked in it after baking, usually with the handle of a wooden spoon or a wooden skewer. Then a liquid is poured over the baked cake to soak into the cake holes.

Can you add cocoa powder to yellow cake mix? ›

Add ¼ cup (30 g) of cocoa powder to each package of mix. Just pour the unsweetened cocoa powder into a mixing bowl along with the dry white or yellow cake mix. Whisk it for about 30 seconds to blend the cocoa with the mix.

How do you keep a cake super moist? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Why did my cake turn out chewy? ›

Gluten is a protein that gives baked goods firm and elastic structure but overdoing it can mean a chewy texture, and that's no good. Apart from the Gluten, insufficient creaming of sugar and eggs will also make a tight texture because there isn't enough air trapped in the mix to give it a lift.

What happens if I add condensed milk to cake mix? ›

The result is a sticky, thick liquid that can be added to several different foods to render additional richness or a softer complimentary texture to your most favored baked goods. Sweetened condensed milk can be added directly to your cake mix in moderation or used as a delicious frosting alternative.

What does adding milk instead of water do to cake? ›

Milk's fat and protein add tenderness, structure, and flavor to a cake — all great attributes you want in your baking!

What makes a cake more moist water or milk? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

Who invented poke cake? ›

According to Lynne Galia of the Kraft Heinz Company, the Jell-O gelatin poke cake, developed by General Foods Kitchens, first appeared in print advertising and in Jell-O recipe booklets in 1976.

What is poke cake made of? ›

So, what's a poke cake? True to its name, it's a cake that you poke holes in after baking. The holes are then filled with a liquid or filling — like condensed milk, pureed fruit, chocolate cream, or pudding — to infuse extra flavor into every bite. Here are our favorite ways to make one.

Why is poke so delicious? ›

The raw fish provides a fresh and clean taste, while the marinade and toppings offer a variety of flavors and textures. The dish is typically light and healthy, making it a perfect option for those looking for a satisfying meal without the guilt.

Which cocoa powder is best for cake? ›

Natural cocoa powder is acidic, while dutch processed cocoa powder has undergone a process to remove the acids. In this situation, Dutch processed cocoa powder is the best choice since baking soda neutralizes the acid in most cake recipes.

What happens if you add too much egg to cake? ›

Eggs also contain a variety of proteins that create the structure of a cake, and when beaten, they can act as a leavening agent by adding air to the cake batter. However, if you add too many eggs to your cake batter, then your end result could be spongy, rubbery, or dense.

What happens when you put melted chocolate in cake mix? ›

Adding melted chocolate to the sponge mixture gives it a fudgier texture, but you can leave this out and simply use the cocoa paste for a lighter (and cheaper) cake.

What to do if your cake has a soggy bottom? ›

There are a few things you can do to fix a soggy bottom cake:
  1. Use parchment paper. ...
  2. Grease the pan well. ...
  3. Use a lower oven temperature. ...
  4. Don't overbake the cake. ...
  5. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Apr 1, 2020

Why does my cake feel wet? ›

Under baking: If the cake is not baked fully, the center and bottom may remain moist and under cooked. Make sure to follow the recommended baking time and insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake to check for doneness. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is properly baked.

Why is my vegan cake soggy? ›

You could try different ones or try reducing the water and/or oil content a little. If you're adding things like fruit to the batter it can release juices during baking that can make cakes soggy. I usually reduce my water and oil content a little when I bake these types of cakes.

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