true story: 2 nights ago, i was craving chocolate cake like a serious addict.

so at 10:30pm, i baked a cake. just to eat it.

of course, by the time it was done, i had already seen this poke cake recipe  
by the poke cake queen herself.
and had to have it.

so, i left my duncan hines cake with a piece of bread sitting on top all night…
{what? you don’t know this trick?? try it, thank me later. so yummy and moist. and yes, duncan hines is more expensive, but WORTH it.}

then got up and proceeded to make do with what i had on hand to improvise a little bit, 
and it was divine.
oh so divine.

this morning, when i went to snag a few shots of it, you can bet, little fingers wanted in on it,
and since, yes, this pregnant lady would be having it for breakfast, so did boss. {those are his fingers above, just couldn’t keep him out. if you ask him if he likes chocolate, he dramatically replies, “no, i LOOOVE chocolate!” sniff….. that’s my boy.

i just kept hearing bill cosby in my head singing, “dad is great, gives us choooocolate cake!”

yes, yes i am great.

chocolate nutella poke cake

chocolate cake mix {and whatever you need to make it}, baked and cooled
3/4 can {of 14oz} sweetened condensed milk
1 cup hot fudge sauce {or 1-12oz container} {works with chocolate syrup, though not as good…}
1/2 cup nutella
1 package instant chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1-8 oz container of cool whip
oreos or any crushed candy for topping

what to do:

prepare the cake as directed on the box and let cool completely. {i’d say leave it overnight with a slice of bread on top to get moist, but if you don’t, you’ll pack it with enough goodness…} poke lots of even holes with the back of a wooden spoon*. {about 20-25 holes} pour sweetened condensed milk over the top, attempting to fill all the holes. drop hot fudge and nutella in a glass dish and heat in the microwave in 20 second increments until smooth an creamy, stirring between. {ignore that fat warning on your nutella about not microwaving it. you’re a rebel.} pour/spread evenly over cake as well. chill for at least an hour. prepare instant pudding with the milk and chill until ready to top. 

fold 1 cup chocolate pudding with 1/2 of cool whip. add as much chocolate as you want really. can’tw mess this up.  then spread over the top of the cake. then spread remaining cool whip over the top and adorn with whatever you’re feelin. we did a hint of oreo and more chocolate to keep it simple, but anything goes!

*note: i previously posted a recipe for raspberry jello poke cake. for that one i used a fork to poke lots of holes, but this cake is more dense, and will be filled with thicker stuff than jello and soda! believe me, the large holes ARE necessary.

Bring your favorite chocolate dessert to Roxana’s home baking #chocolateparty and win amazing prizes from OXO, Calphalon, Keurig, Imperial Sugar, Honey Ridge Farms and Land O Lakes® Butter