Name: Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups (285g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure vanilla extract; ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream, at room temperature; 2 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, sifted; ½ cup (40 g) cocoa powder, sifted; 1 tablespoon (5g) espresso powder (optional); 2 ½ teaspoons (9 g) baking powder; ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda; 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt; 1 ¼ cup (296 ml) hot brewed coffee; 1 jar (16oz) Hot fudge sauce, warmed; 1 can (21oz) Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling; 4 ounces (113g) full-fat cream cheese, cold; 1 ½ cups (413 ml) heavy whipping cream; 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 ounces dark chocolate bar for shaving

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 60 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth and a love for all things chocolate and cherry, then you are going to adore this Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe. It takes the classic flavors of a Black Forest cake—rich chocolate, tart cherries, and luscious cream—and transforms them into a fun, moist, and irresistibly decadent dessert. The magic truly happens when you poke holes into the freshly baked cake and pour warm hot fudge all over, letting it seep deep inside for every bite to be bursting with flavor. This is comfort food at its finest, perfect for sharing with loved ones or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A rectangular metal baking pan filled with a dark brown cake layer at the bottom, covered by a thick, shiny, bright red cherry topping with whole cherries spread evenly across the surface. The cherries look plump and glossy, with the red topping slightly uneven in texture and reflecting light. The pan rests on a white marbled surface, with a small corner of a white cloth with orange stripes visible at the bottom right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right is the first step to an unforgettable cake like this one. Each element plays a crucial role, from providing the perfect moist crumb to that signature tangy cherry surprise. None of these ingredients are complicated, and many you may already have in your pantry or fridge.

Granulated sugar (1 ½ cups): Sweetens the cake and balances the rich cocoa.
Vegetable oil (½ cup): Keeps the cake moist and tender without altering the flavor.
Eggs, large (3, room temperature): Provide structure and help bind everything together.
Pure vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Adds depth and warmth to the cake’s flavor profile.
Sour cream (½ cup, room temperature): Gives the cake a lovely tenderness and slight tang.
All-purpose flour (2 cups, sifted): The structural backbone of the cake ensuring a light texture.
Cocoa powder (½ cup, sifted): Packs that deep chocolate flavor that’s essential.
Espresso powder (1 tablespoon, optional): Enhances the chocolate richness without adding a coffee taste.
Baking powder (2 ½ teaspoons): Helps the cake rise beautifully and become fluffy.
Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Works alongside the baking powder for extra lift and tenderness.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavors.
Hot brewed coffee (1 ¼ cup): Amplifies the chocolate notes for a luscious, intense taste.
Hot fudge sauce (1 jar, warmed): The game-changer that soaks into the cake, adding gooey decadence.
Cherry pie filling (1 can, 21oz): Brings a vibrant tartness and the iconic pops of cherry throughout.
Full-fat cream cheese (4 ounces, cold): Creates a rich, creamy topping when whipped with the cream.
Heavy whipping cream (1 ½ cups): Whipped to fluffy perfection to top the cake.
Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped topping.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds aromatic flavor to the creamy topping.
Dark chocolate bar (4 ounces): Shaved on top for an elegant finishing touch and extra chocolate goodness.

How to Make Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Mix Your Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 9×13-inch pan—you want your cake to release easily after baking. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture becomes lighter in color and fluffy. Then stir in the sour cream to keep the batter smooth and rich. In another bowl, sift together your flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Adding the dry ingredients alternately with the hot coffee into the wet mix creates a wonderfully tender crumb with an intense chocolate flavor.

Step 2: Bake and Poke for Flavor

Pour the luscious chocolate batter into your prepared pan and bake for 26 to 28 minutes. The toothpick test will be your best friend here—when it comes out clean, you’ve got a perfectly baked cake ready for the next fun step. While the cake is still warm, grab a wooden spoon handle or something round and poke holes all over with gentle but firm pressure—these holes are what make this poke cake so special, allowing that fudgy treat to seep down deep.

Step 3: Pour Warm Hot Fudge Sauce

Gently heat your jar of hot fudge sauce until it’s smooth and pourable, then slowly drizzle it over the holey cake. This step is pure magic—you’ll notice the sauce melting into every hole creating pockets of molten chocolate perfection once cooled. Set your cake aside to cool completely before moving on to layering the cherry goodness.

Step 4: Layer the Cherries

Once the cake and fudge have cooled, spread the sweet and tangy cherry pie filling evenly over the top. This is the layer that gives the cake that signature Black Forest flavor, balancing the rich chocolate with juicy bursts of cherry.

Step 5: Whip the Cream Cheese Topping

Cut the cream cheese into cubes and beat it in a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream to loosen the cream cheese into a silky mixture. Slowly add the remaining cream and whip on high until soft peaks form. Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until stiff peaks develop—this luscious topping will be spread over your cherry layer for a fluffy, rich finish.

Step 6: Add Chocolate Shavings

For that extra wow factor and a touch of elegance, roughly chop or shave your dark chocolate bar and sprinkle it generously over the top. This finishing touch adds texture, depth, and an irresistible aroma to your stunning Black Forest poke cake.

How to Serve Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe

A square piece of chocolate cake sits on a white plate with dark chocolate drizzle. The cake has three main layers: the bottom is a rich dark brown chocolate sponge, in the middle is a thick layer of red cherry pieces mixed with chocolate filling, and the top is a creamy white layer covered with dark chocolate shavings. The sides show some cherry filling dripping down, and a gold fork rests beside the cake. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a white cloth with orange stitching nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To really make your cake shine, consider adding a few fresh cherries or a sprig of mint atop the chocolate shavings—the colors pop beautifully and add a fresh hint to the rich dessert. A light dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar also adds to the cake’s decadent appearance without overpowering the flavors.

Side Dishes

This cake is a dessert star all on its own, but if you’d like to serve it alongside something lighter, try a simple scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to complement without competing. Even a small, crisp fruit salad can provide balance if your meal before was especially hearty.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, try cutting your Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe into neat squares and serving on elegant dessert plates with a drizzle of extra warm fudge sauce on the side. You could also layer it in a trifle bowl with added cherries and cream for a dazzling visual and textural experience. If you want to make individual servings, consider using ramekins and poke the same holes to keep the signature look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This cake keeps beautifully in the fridge due to the creamy topping and cherry layer. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep the cake moist and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors. It generally stays fresh for up to 4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze portions of this cake, but because of its whipped topping and cherry layer, it’s best to freeze before adding the topping. Wrap the cooled, unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Frozen cake can last for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then proceed with adding the cherries and cream cheese topping fresh for best results.

Reheating

This type of cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Reheating isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture of the cream topping and cherry filling. If you want a warmer dessert experience, serve with a scoop of ice cream or warm a small amount of fudge sauce to drizzle over individual slices.

FAQs

Can I use canned cherry pie filling instead of fresh cherries?

Absolutely, canned cherry pie filling is perfect for this Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe. It provides that classic sweet-tart flavor and juicy texture that fresh cherries might not offer consistently. Just be sure to spread it evenly for the best results.

Is espresso powder necessary in the recipe?

Espresso powder is optional but highly recommended. It doesn’t impart a coffee taste but rather enhances the chocolate flavor, making the cake richer and more intense. If you don’t have any on hand, it’s fine to leave it out.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can adapt this by using a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to help with structure. The texture might differ slightly but the delicious flavors will still shine.

How do I prevent the cake from becoming soggy?

Poking holes and pouring fudge sauce is the heart of this recipe but make sure the cake isn’t overly saturated. Pour the warm fudge gently and allow it to seep naturally. Also, cooling the cake fully before adding toppings helps maintain structure and prevents sogginess.

Can this cake be made into cupcakes?

Yes, you can make this Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe into cupcakes. Just bake the batter in cupcake liners and once cool, gently poke holes with a skewer and drizzle with warm fudge sauce. Top with cherry pie filling and cream cheese frosting for mini versions that are equally delightful.

Final Thoughts

This Black Forest Poke Cake Recipe is one of those joyful creations that brings smiles and happy sighs with every bite. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of a classic cake with a fun, easy twist that anyone can master. Whether for a special occasion or just because chocolate and cherries are life, I encourage you to give this recipe a go—soon you’ll have a new favorite dessert to share and cherish.