Desserts

Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries

Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries is the perfect dessert for family gatherings, special events, potlucks, and any time you want a sweet treat that's sure to be a hit. In this recipe, light and airy white cake…

Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries sliced and served on a white dessert plate

Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries is the perfect dessert for family gatherings, special events, potlucks, and any time you want a sweet treat that's sure to be a hit. In this recipe, light and airy white cake perfectly balances the rich, decadent chocolate ganache. And, when you top it off with a medley of fresh berries, you've got a truly tasty and festive crowd-pleaser that is sure to delight.

What is Poke Cake?

Poke cake was invented by the Jell-O Company in 1969, as a way to increase their product sales. The original version is made by baking a white sheet cake, and when cooled, poking holes into the top of the cake using a fork. Next, strawberry Jell-O mix is poured all over the top of the cake, allowing it to fill the holes. Then the cake is put into the fridge to allow the Jell-O to fully set. The chilled cake is then frosted with whipped topping.

Poke cakes are currently enjoying renewed popularity, and bakers are going beyond the traditional gelatin to fill their poke cakes with everything from salted caramel, flavored syrups and boozy cocktail mixtures, to coffee and chocolate ganache.

2 Tips To Make Perfect Poke Cake

Tip #1: Change up the size of the holes you're going to poke to accommodate the type of filling you are using. For flavored syrups of gelatins, perforate the entire top of the cake with a fork. And for thicker sauces or creams, poke evenly-spaced, larger-sized holes by using a wooden skewer or the tip of a wooden spoon handle.

Tip #2: When making this Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake recipe, use a [easyazon_link identifier="B007Q93AFU" locale="US" tag="allshecooksblog-20"]pastry filling injector[/easyazon_link] to ensure that a perfect portion of that delectable chocolate ganache is included in every single bite.

More Delicious Poke Cake Recipes

Poke cakes are fun and festive, plus they can be customized in any number of ways. Check out these other creative and inventive poke cake recipes:

Cherry Almond Poke Cake

Apple Spice Poke Cake Recipe

Boozy Pinepple Piña Colada Poke Cake

How To Make Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries

Step #1: Bake cake in 13x9 pan according to package instructions, remove from oven, and allow to cool completely.

Step #2: Melt chocolate chips with heavy whipping cream on stovetop over medium low heat. Then use a meat or pastry filling injector to insert ⅓ of the ganache into the cake by poking holes and then squeezing the chocolate into the cake. Or, you can poke the holes with a wooden skewer or spoon, then pour the chocolate ganache into the holes. But the injector will allow for a more even distribution.

the poked holes in a white sheet cake being filled with chocolate ganache using a pastry cream injector

Step #3: Next, refrigerate remaining chocolate ganache for about 30 minutes to chill. Pour into a stand mixer bowl, and whip at high speed until thickened. The whipped chocolate ganache will be lighter in color.

top-down view of the filled poke cake sitting next to a silver mixing bowl full of chocolate ganache

Step #4: Spread layer of whipped chocolate ganache over the cake, then refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

chocolate ganache whipped topping being spread onto the cooled poke cake

Step #5: Before serving, add a layer of whipped topping, and 3 cups of fresh berries.

one slice of chocolate ganache poke cake with berries served on a white plate set in front of a white cloth napkin and white bowl of mixed berries

Enjoy!

Recipe

Recipe

Chocolate Ganache Poke Cake with Berries

  • Yield Servings 12
  • Prep Prep Time 30 mins
  • Cook Cook Time 26 mins
  • Total Total Time 56 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 18.25 ounce package white cake mix, prepared to package instructions
  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups mixed berries
  • 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bake cake in 13x9 pan according to package instructions. Allow to cool.

  2. 2

    Melt chocolate chips with heavy whipping cream on stovetop over medium low heat. Use a meat injector to insert ⅓ of it into the cake by poking holes and squeezing chocolate into the cake. Alternatively, you can poke holes with a wooden skewer or spoon and pour the chocolate ganache into the holes. The injector allows for a more even distribution.

  3. 3

    Next, refrigerate remaining chocolate ganache for about 30 minutes to chill. Pour into a stand mixer bowl and whip at high speed until thickened. The whipped chocolate ganache will be lighter in color.

  4. 4

    Spread layer of whipped chocolate ganache over the cake. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

  5. 5

    Before serving, add a layer of whipped topping and 3 cups of fresh berries.