Chocolate Turtle Poke Cake Recipe

Today we are using cake mix to make an actual cake…only it’s better than a regular cake because it’s a poke cake filled with caramel, chocolate, and pecans! Try out this delicious chocolate turtle poke cake today!

One of the great things about using a boxed cake mix to start off any dessert recipe is that it takes a lot of the stress and preparation time out of the equation. That means we can spend a little more time having fun with the recipe part.

This amazingly indulgent chocolate turtle poke cake recipe is really simple to make but the end result is so moist, gooey, and topped with even more delicious flavors. We’re adding a caramel sauce, pecans, and chocolate chips to the mix just to make sure this recipe is as delicious as chocolate turtles!

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What is a poke cake?

A poke cake is a cake that you bake and then use a straw to poke holes in! The holes make little tunnels in the cake that are then filled with something delicious so when the cake is cut and served each piece has extra gooey deliciousness inside!

Common poke cake fillings are cool whip, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, fruit preserves or jelly, and jello! If you’ve never tried a poke cake you’ll want to give the classic creamsicle cake a go!

Another poke cake to try is this Firecracker red white and blue cake for the summer holidays!

What will I need to make this chocolate turtle poke cake recipe?

You will need just a handful of easy to source ingredients. These are things that you will also likely be able to keep on hand so that when you want to whip up this sweet and indulgent treat you can do so without much stress or planning.

I love having cake mix recipes like this one hand so that I can bake up a tasty dessert when I feel the urge…without having to run to the store, do a grocery order, etc.

For this chocolate turtle poke cake you will need chocolate buttercream frosting, chocolate Devils food cake mix (plus the eggs water and oil needed to bake the cake), caramel ice cream topping sauce, mini chocolate chips, and chopped pecans! I’ll show you how to make my homemade chocolate buttercream frosting below if you want or you can use a canned frosting…either way will work great!

Do you have a recipe for homemade chocolate butter cream frosting?

Of course! Here’s a super easy version that anyone can make at home. You’ll love to use this for all kinds of desserts after you give it a try.

Ingredients for chocolate buttercream frosting:

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp. Vanilla 
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder  

How to make an easy chocolate buttercream icing:

Cream the butter and vanilla and then add your powdered sugar and mix well.

Now add the cocoa powdered and mix well again until combined!  

Looking for the perfect tools to make cake mix recipes like this chocolate turtle poke cake?

If you are trying to pick out some of the best supplies to stock your kitchen for cake mix recipes and baking in general, these are some of our favorites and must have items.

I like half sheet baking pans that are quality (hello no noisy pops or sloshed cookie dough from twisting), I line my cookie sheets with silicone baking mats. These are a must when doing cake mix recipes which can settle and become thin at lot easier than traditional cookie dough.

Of course mixing bowls, a mixer, spatula, and some whisks should be on your list if you don’t have ones that you love. I also like to have a set of cooling racks so that my recipes can properly cool before they’re scarfed down by my family!

How to make a chocolate turtle poke cake:

Follow the instructions on the bake of the cake box as to what to mix to make the cake mix and to bake it.

Then remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.  Then with the handle of a wooden spoon poke holes throughout the cake. 

While the cake is still warm take one jar of the caramel sauce and pour it all over the top of the cake. Then set to the side and let cool completely.

While the cake is cooling make the chocolate buttercream frosting.

Once the cake is cooled completely spread the frosting over the cake.

Then sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top of the frosting.  Next, sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the mini chocolate chips.

Then drizzle as much of the second jar of caramel sauce on top of the nuts.

Now you are ready to serve this delicious dessert.          

Do you want to make more cake mix recipes?

If you are looking for more cake mix recipes you could not have landed in a better spot on the web. Here’s a few of our favorite recipes made with boxed cake mixes that I think you’ll love.

There’s something for everyone and each of these recipes is simple and straightforward, no muss, no fuss. Just simple desserts that the whole family will enjoy.

Try out Apple Pie Cookies, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cake Mix Snickerdoodle Cupcakes, Twix cookies, brownie batter dip, key lime cookies, chocolate cherry cookies, vanilla cake with strawberry filling.

More options are these butter pecan cookies, banana bread with cake mix, 3 ingredient cake mix cookies, cinnamon donuts, funfetti sugar cookie truffles, red velvet cake mix cookies.

There’s more! Don’t miss out on these lemon cake mix cookies, and even cream soda cake mix cupcakes!

Printable Chocolate Turtle Poke Cake Recipe: