Oreo Poke Cake
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My Oreo Poke Cake is easy, super moist and delicious. Once you make this decadent oreo chocolate cake, you will never be able to stop because everyone loves it, asks for it and enjoys it. If you are a fan of oreo cookies, this recipe is a must make.
If you love poke cake recipes, try my Eggnog Poke Cake and my Reese Peanut Butter Cup Poke Cake. They are both super moist and so delicious.
Why this Oreo Poke Cake Recipe Works
This recipe works because it turns simple ingredients into a rich, crowd‑pleasing dessert with almost no effort. Every layer adds something delicious, and it’s the kind of treat people remember and request again.
- Ultimate Moisture: By poking holes and infusing the cake with pudding, you eliminate the risk of a “dry” cake mix. It stays moist for days.
- Effort-to-Wow Ratio: It looks impressive and decadent but requires very little actual baking skill.
- Crowd-Friendly: It combines two of the world’s favorite desserts—chocolate cake and Oreos—making it a hit at potlucks, birthdays, and family gatherings.
Do I Have To Use Oreo Pudding Mix For This Oreo Pudding Poke Cake?
This recipe uses a rich homemade pudding. However, you can use a box instant pudding mix to save time. If you can’t find it, vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding works perfectly. Just stir in some finely crushed Oreo crumbs to mimic the flavor.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What a fun, over-the-top dessert! My niece is going to love this so much. Thanks for the idea!”
~ Genevieve
Ingredient Notes for Oreo Cookie Poke Cake
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: One package of your favorite brand of cake mix.
- Cool Whip: One tub of the creamy cool whip for the top of the cake.
- Oreo cookie sandwich cookies: You will need crushed Oreo fudge cookies for more Oreo flavor.
Variations and Substitutions for this Oreo Dessert
- The “Lighter” Version: Use a sugar-free cake mix, sugar-free pudding, and “Fat-Free” or “Lite” Cool Whip.
- The “Doctored” Version: Instead of water, use milk or coffee in the cake batter to enhance the chocolate flavor. Add a dollop of sour cream to the batter for a denser, bakery-style texture.
- Flavor Twists: Use Mint Oreos and chocolate pudding for a grasshopper version, or Golden Oreos and vanilla pudding mixture for a “Golden” cookies-and-cream cake. Use your favorite crushed oreo cookies.
- The Filling: Swap half the milk for sweetened condensed milk for an extra-rich, Tres Leches-style sweetness. Use a pudding mix in place of the homemade pudding. Use any flavor even a cookies and cream version.
Special Equipment Needed for Easy Poke Cake
You need a mixer, mixing bowls and a can pan plus:
- Wooden Spoon: Specifically, the round handle of a wooden spoon is the perfect size for “poking” (approx. 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide).
- Offset Spatula: Useful for spreading the pudding and whipped topping smoothly over the entire cake.
How to Make Oreo Cookie Poke Cake
This Oreo Poke Cake is my go-to recipe for potlucks, birthdays, and family BBQs because it’s virtually foolproof. It always comes out perfect, moist and delicious because it is so easy to make. It’s a “make-ahead” dessert that actually tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge, giving you more time to enjoy the party and less time in the kitchen.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 13×9 pan with nonstick spray and set aside. Pour the cake mix into the prepared pan and bake according to the package directions.pe card.
- Pudding: In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the milk and cream, then heat until small bubbles form around the edges. Temper the egg yolks with 1/2 cup of the hot milk, then whisk them back into the pot. Cook for 3 minutes, remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla and butter. Let the pudding cool slightly.
- Poke The Holes: Use a wooden spoon handle to poke holes all over the cake. Pour the warm pudding on top, guiding it into the holes. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Topping: Crush 5 Oreos into crumbs and fold them into the Cool Whip. Spread the mixture over the cake which has cooled completely and refrigerate for another 30 minutes
- Decorate: Right before serving, crush the remaining 15 Oreos and sprinkle them over the top. Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup and enjoy this indulgent dessert.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy Oreo Poke Cake
- Cake: This cake needs to be made ahead! It requires at least 4 hours of chill time, though overnight is ideal. You can bake the cake in advance and when the cake is done, store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Pro Tip: If making it 24 hours in advance, do not add the crushed Oreos on top until right before serving to keep them crunchy.
Alternate Cooking Methods for the Best Oreo Poke Cake
- Cupcake: Make individual poke cupcakes.
- Round Layer Cake: Poke Cakes make a beautiful round layered cake.
Store and Use Leftover Oreo Lovers Cake
- Storage: Always store in the refrigerator, tightly covered with plastic wrap or a lid. It will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days.
- Leftover Idea: If you have just a few slices left, mash them up and roll them into “Oreo Poke Cake Balls,” then dip them in melted white chocolate.
Common Questions On How To Make This Oreo Poke Cake
This usually happens if you pour the pudding while it is too liquid or if you use too much milk. Ensure the pudding has just begun to thicken (soft-set) before pouring.
Most experts recommend poking the cake while it is warm (about 10–15 minutes out of the oven) so the pudding can seep in easily, but wait until it is fully cooled before adding the whipped topping.
Expert Tips for Recipe for Oreo Poke Cake
- Poke Deeply: Don’t just poke the surface; push the spoon handle about 3/4 of the way down to ensure the pudding reaches the center of the cake.
- Timing the Pudding: Whisk the instant pudding and milk for only 1–2 minutes. You want it to be “pourable” but not “watery.” If it sets too firmly in the bowl, it won’t fall into the holes.
- The Crumb Guard: To prevent the whipped topping from getting covered in chocolate cake crumbs, do a “crumb coat” layer of pudding first, let it set, then add the Cool Whip.
- Clean Slices: For perfect squares, wipe your knife with a warm, damp cloth between every single cut.
- Top With: Finish the oreo cake with a drizzle of hot fudge sauce or homemade whipped cream dollops.
- Also Try My: Reeses Peanut Butter Poke Cake and this Banana Cream Poke Cake.
More Recipes You Might Like
Oreo Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 Chocolate cake mix, package
- 1 cup Water
- ⅓ cup Vegetable oil
- 2 Eggs
Homemade pudding
- ¾ cup Sugar
- 3 Tablesoons Cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- 2 Egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 8 ounces Cool whip, 1 tub
- 20 Oreo cookie sandwich cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spay a 13×9 pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Pour cake mix into a 13×9 pan and bake according to package directions.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add in the milk and cream and stir to combine.
- Heat the milk to just under a boil.
- When small bubbles start appearing on the sides of the pan, it’s time to temper the eggs.
- Take 1/2 cup of the milk and slowly whisk into the egg yolks. The eggs are now tempered and ready to add the pudding.
- Add the eggs to the pudding and cook for 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and the butter. Set pudding aside to cool a little.
- With the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the cake.
- Pour the pudding over the top of the cake, guiding the pudding into the holes. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Take 5 Oreos and crush the chocolate cookies into crumbs and stir them into the 8 ounces of cool whip.
- Top the cake with the cool whip and return it to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, crush the remaining 15 Oreo cookies and sprinkle on top of the cake. Garnish with a little chocolate syrup and serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Chips: Add white chocolate chips or semi sweet chocolate chips to the batter.
- Short cut tip: Instead of homemade pudding, use a boxed Instant Pudding Mix.
- Variation tip: Try a different Oreo cookie flavor, such as strawberry or caramel, etc.
- Alternate ingredient: Crushed nuts add a wonderful crunch to this Oreo poke cake.
- Dietary consideration tip: Low fat or low sugar substitutes are great for this Oreo cake.
- Mix Flavors of Pudding: Try chocolate pudding mix or white chocolate pudding for the best dessert.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Moist and delicious
I will let you know! Had ho ho cake and it was delish! Now trying oreo! I wll be back! ????
What a fun, over-the-top dessert! My niece is going to love this so much. Thanks for the idea!