Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite dessert: the White Russian Poke Cake! Inspired by the classic White Russian cocktail, this cake combines the rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, and a little kick from coffee liqueur and vodka into a moist, decadent treat that’s simply irresistible. Every bite is like a hug in cake form—think of it as a party for your taste buds! It’s perfect for gatherings or just a cozy night in with a movie. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience the magic of this delightful dessert. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients for White Russian Poke Cake
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this delicious White Russian Poke Cake! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix: This is the base of your cake. I love using a mix for convenience, but if you’re feeling adventurous, homemade chocolate cake works great too!
- 3 large eggs: These add moisture and richness to the cake. Make sure they’re at room temperature for the best mixing.
- 1 cup of water: Just plain water to help the cake mix come together.
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil: This keeps the cake moist and tender.
- 1 cup of brewed coffee, cooled: The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, so don’t skip this step! Coffee has numerous health benefits that you might find interesting.
- 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur: This brings in that delicious cocktail vibe—feel free to adjust based on your taste!
- 1/4 cup of vodka: Adds a little kick, just like the drink it’s inspired by!
- 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk: This is going to soak into the cake and make it ultra moist and sweet.
- 1 cup of heavy cream: For whipping and topping later, giving that luscious finish.
- 1/4 cup of powdered sugar: Helps sweeten the whipped cream and gives it that nice texture.
- Chocolate shavings for garnish: These are purely optional but oh-so-pretty and delicious on top!
How to Prepare White Russian Poke Cake
Preheat and Prepare the Baking Pan
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because you want your cake to bake evenly. While that’s warming up, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and grease it well with butter or cooking spray, then dust it lightly with flour. This will help the cake come out perfectly without sticking. Trust me, you don’t want to end up with half your cake stuck to the pan!
Making the Cake Batter
Now, let’s get to the fun part—mixing the batter! In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Whisk everything together until it’s nice and smooth, but don’t overdo it—just mix until you no longer see any dry spots. The batter should be thick and glossy, which means it’s ready to go!
Baking the Cake
Pour that beautiful batter into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This is the moment you can do the “cake dance” around your kitchen! Once it’s done, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Cooling is crucial here because we want to make sure it’s just warm enough for the next step.
Creating the Poke Cake Effect
After your cake has cooled a bit, it’s time for the fun poke effect! Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake—don’t be shy! This allows all that yummy mixture to soak in, making it extra moist and flavorful. In a separate bowl, mix together the brewed coffee, coffee liqueur, and vodka. Then, pour this mixture evenly over the warm cake. Let it soak in as it cools completely; this is where the magic happens!
Topping the Cake
Once your cake is fully cooled, it’s time to whip up the topping. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until you get soft peaks. You want it fluffy but not too stiff. Gently spread this dreamy whipped cream over the top of your cake, covering it beautifully. If you want to get fancy, you can fold in some chocolate shavings for that extra touch. Now, step back and admire your creation before diving in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent Flavor: This cake brings the beloved flavors of a White Russian cocktail right to your dessert table!
- Moist and Tender: The soaking technique ensures every bite is incredibly moist and bursting with taste.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this show-stopping cake in no time!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual dinner or a fancy gathering, this cake is sure to impress your guests.
- Customizable: Feel free to tweak the alcohol levels or add your favorite toppings—make it your own!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good poke cake, and this one is sure to be a hit with friends and family!
Tips for Success with White Russian Poke Cake
To make sure your White Russian Poke Cake turns out perfectly, here are some handy tips! First, don’t skip the cooling step before poking holes; it helps the cake absorb the soaking mixture better. Also, be gentle when mixing the batter—overmixing can lead to a dense cake, and we want it light and fluffy. If you’re concerned about the alcohol content, feel free to reduce the coffee liqueur and vodka a bit or substitute with non-alcoholic coffee syrup. Lastly, always use fresh ingredients, especially the heavy cream, for that luscious topping. Trust me, these little adjustments can make all the difference!
Nutritional Information for White Russian Poke Cake
Each slice of this delightful White Russian Poke Cake packs a flavorful punch with an estimated nutritional breakdown. You can expect around 350 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein per slice. With 45 grams of carbohydrates and 25 grams of sugar, it’s definitely a treat worth indulging in! Keep in mind that these values are estimates, so enjoy every delicious bite without counting too closely!
FAQ about White Russian Poke Cake
Got questions about making the perfect White Russian Poke Cake? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common queries I hear:
Can I make this cake non-alcoholic?
Absolutely! You can substitute the coffee liqueur and vodka with a non-alcoholic coffee syrup or just skip the alcohol altogether. The cake will still be incredibly delicious!
How long can I store leftovers?
Your White Russian Poke Cake will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to cover it well to keep that whipped cream topping nice and fluffy.
Can I freeze the cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake before adding the whipped cream topping. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then add the whipped cream before serving.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can use whipped topping as a quick alternative. It won’t be quite as rich, but it’ll still taste great!
Can I use a different cake mix?
Absolutely! While chocolate cake mix is my favorite for this recipe, you can experiment with vanilla or even a spice cake mix for a unique twist. Just keep the ratios the same for the liquids and eggs!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your White Russian Poke Cake tasting fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for about 3 to 4 days—just make sure it’s well covered to keep that fluffy whipped cream topping intact. If you find yourself with more cake than you can eat, you can freeze it before adding the whipped cream. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, whip up some fresh cream to top it off and dive back into that delightful flavor!
Print
White Russian Poke Cake: 5 Irresistible Layers of Delight
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and decadent cake inspired by the classic White Russian cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 cup of brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur
- 1/4 cup of vodka
- 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Once baked, let the cake cool for 10 minutes.
- Poke holes in the cake with a fork.
- In a bowl, mix the coffee, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the warm cake.
- Let the cake cool completely.
- In another bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cake.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Keep the cake refrigerated.
- Can substitute with non-alcoholic coffee syrup.
- Use a gluten-free cake mix for a gluten-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: White Russian Poke Cake, chocolate poke cake, dessert recipe