If you’re looking for a new poke cake that’s a little different, this one checks every box. It’s got cherries, chocolate, and a creamy pudding layer that soaks right into the cake. This Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake is easy to make with simple ingredients and makes a fun change from the usual fruit and whipped topping combo.

This is the kind of dessert people remember so make it for your next party or potluck. Everyone will ask for the recipe!

This cake is light, fluffy, and full of cherry-almond flavor with little pockets of pudding throughout. The mini chocolate chips add texture, and the whipped topping finishes it off with a smooth, sweet layer.

Every bite delivers a combination of cherry, chocolate, and soft vanilla cake all in one. It’s a bright, fun dessert that feels just right for gatherings or birthdays.

What You Need To Make This Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

Make sure to add all the ingredients to your shopping list before you make this cake. It’s such a disappointment to start baking and discover you’re missing an ingredient.

white cake mix (can use a yellow cake mix too!)
water
sour cream
vegetable oil
almond extract-use vanilla if that’s what you have
egg whites
miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
maraschino cherries
instant vanilla pudding mix
cold milk
maraschino cherry juice
whipped topping
cherries for garnish

Slice of chocolate cherry poke cake on a plate, topped with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and a cherry.

Substitution Ideas

You can swap in a cherry or French vanilla cake mix if that’s what you have. Any cake mix would work, as long as it works with cherries and whipped cream, so basically any flavor!

For the chocolate chips, you can swap in regular chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks instead of mini chips. Mini chips spread the chocolate flavor throughout the cake, but bigger-sized chips or chunks work too.

Close-up top view of a cake slice showing whipped topping, chocolate chips, and a cherry on a red checkered cloth.

Swap out the vanilla pudding mix for a chocolate pudding mix; it works well in this recipe.

Add sliced bananas when serving it for a fun twist on a banana split. This cake has everything else from a banana split, so it’s an easy addition.

A slice of chocolate cherry poke cake being lifted with a server, showing layers and topping clearly.

To Store This Cake

Cover the cake well with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It stays good for up to three days and holds its texture well.

Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

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Prep Time: 15

Bake Time: 35

Total Time: 50

Servings: Servings

Calories: 458kcal

A rich twist on a classic—soft white cake loaded with cherries and chocolate, soaked in pudding, and topped with whipped cream

Print Recipe

Ingredients

15.25 oz box white cake mix
¾ cup water
½ cup sour cream
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp almond extract
4 egg whites
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips plus more for topping
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries drained and rinsed
3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
8 oz whipped topping
Whole cherries for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Grease a 9×13 in baking dish
In a small bowl, toss chocolate chips with 1 tbsp of dry cake mix to prevent sinking
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, water, sour cream, oil, almond extract, and egg whites until just combined
Stir in chopped cherries and chocolate chips
Pour batter into the prepared baking dish
Bake for 35 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
Remove from oven and let cool completely
Use the end of a wooden spoon or smoothie straw to poke holes all over the cake
In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix, milk, and cherry juice until smooth
Pour pudding mixture evenly into the holes and over the surface of the cake
Spread whipped topping evenly over the cake
Garnish with cherries and extra chocolate chips