Gooey Caramel Turtle Poke Cake

Poke cakes have surged in popularity across the dessert landscape, captivating the hearts (and taste buds) of dessert lovers everywhere. These moist, flavorful cakes are known for their unique method of preparation, which involves poking holes throughout the cake after baking and filling those holes with delicious mixtures. The result is a cake that is not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor and moisture. Among the many poke cake recipes, the Gooey Caramel Turtle Poke Cake stands out as a true indulgence. It combines the rich flavors of chocolate, sweet caramel, and crunchy pecans, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.

Discover the decadence of the Gooey Caramel Turtle Poke Cake, a perfect treat for any occasion. This delightful dessert features a moist chocolate cake infused with rich caramel and topped with luscious whipped cream and crunchy pecans. Its unique preparation method allows the cake to soak up sweet fillings, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavor. Easy to make and guaranteed to impress guests, this poke cake is a must-try for all dessert lovers!

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients required by the box: eggs, water, oil)

1 cup chopped pecans (lightly toasted)

1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

For the Poke Mixture:

1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

For the Topping:

1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)

1/2 cup chocolate syrup

1/2 cup caramel sauce for drizzling

Extra chopped pecans for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Cake:

- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.

- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions. Add the ingredients as directed: usually, eggs, oil, and water.

- Fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chips into the batter gently.

Bake the Cake:

- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.

Poke the Cake:

- While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake (about 20-25 holes).

- In a mixing bowl, combine the caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk. Mix well until smooth.

- Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the poked cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. Let the cake sit for another 20-30 minutes to absorb the caramel.

Add the Topping:

- Once the caramel is absorbed and the cake has cooled completely, spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake.

- Drizzle chocolate syrup and caramel sauce on top of the whipped topping for that extra gooeyness.

- Sprinkle additional chopped pecans over the top for garnish.

Chill and Serve:

- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and for the cake to set properly.

- Cut into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy your gooey caramel turtle poke cake!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 12