It never fails. Each September my oldest daughter makes a request for her birthday treat. Years ago it was 6 layers of princess castle and related grandous cakes, but in recent years her requests are more specific to specific flavours. One example is the Root Beer Cupcakes made to celebrate her birthday last year, and so many other cakes and cupcakes which were featured here year after year.
A few days prior to her September 2017 birthday party she decided a chocolate bar was the featured for this years dessert, and went back and forth on which particular one. Finally she settled on Rolo – and Rolo Poke Cake was made to celebrate her 13th birthday.
Let me tell you, it was once again a birthday dessert for the record books.
If you recall, earlier this summer I scored a great deal on box cake mix, so while I could have made this cake by scratch – I wanted to start using them up. I’m never one to knock box cake mix, because when paired with the right frosting and flavours – you just can’t beat the taste and convenience. Moist, fluffy and delicious!
For this recipe I decided to make my own caramel sauce to pour into the cake holes, the star feature of poke cakes. Since Rolo is all about chocolate and caramel, I thought this would be a nice touch. There’s a few ways to make caramel sauce, but again convenience was key – so I made it with just sweetened condensed milk.
Did you know that simmering the can for a couple of hours {yes, the entire intact can}, makes caramel sauce? It’s so delicious and simple that I’m tempted to always have a ready-made can on hand for when the need calls.
Now all this cake needed was a light whipped topping and chocolate hot fudge sauce to drizzle on top. Don’t forget the Rolo pieces! So this cake takes a few steps to make and some pre-planning to make the caramel sauce – but it’s simple to piece together.
This poke cake recipe – a chocolate and caramel taste explosion, people!
Enjoy the recipe! And don’t forget to try this Jello Poke Cake!
Rolo Poke Cake
This Rolo Poke Cake is a delicious chocolate and carmel taste explosion with caramel sauce and a chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 box cake mix
- 2-3 cups whipped topping
- 12 Rolo pieces, quartered
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
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FOR CARAMEL FILLER:
You can make the caramel ahead of time so that it's ready when it comes time to make this poke cake. To make, fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Place the can of sweetened condensed milk, unopened, in the boiling water. Cover and let simmer 2-3 hours, topping off water as needed so the can is always completely immersed. Turn the can every half hour to prevent scorching. Allow the can to cool a bit before opening carefully, open can and serve.
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FOR THE CHOCOLATE HOT FUDGE:
Whisk together sugar and cocoa in a medium saucepan and add the milk and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until it comes to a boil. Continue boiling for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool some before drizzling.
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FOR CAKE:
Bake 1 box cake mix in a 9x13" pan, as per package instructions.
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Once the cake is done and still warm, poke holes into the cake using the end of a wooden spoon
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Pour the warm caramel sauce onto the cake, filling all the holes. For frosting and serving, it's best if the caramel sauce has set and thickened a bit, so you can put the cake into the refrigerator for a bit at this time.
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Spread whipped topping over the cake and sprinkle Rolo bits onto the top
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Drizzle top of cake with the chocolate hot fudge sauce
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Serve and enjoy!
TurboCanauck says
Can comfirm, this tastes better than it looks (and it looks AMAZING!). And I totally agree with not making it from scratch. Not that I made mine at all, actually. It tastes so much sweeter when someone else makes it for you 🙂
Tammi says
Ahhh, thank you 🙂
and this deserves an extra 🙂 🙂
Lynda Cook says
Oh wow this looks absolutely amazing, I think I am going to make this for my mother she would love something like this, thanks for sharing a great and easy recipe!
Wanda Tracey says
This is an awesome looking cake and it sounds so deliciously decadent….my favorite kind.I am going to have to pin it for future cake baking and don’t think I will be disappointed when I try it.YUM!!
kathy downey says
Wow,i’m certainly looking forward to trying this sinfully delicious looking dessert!
Janet M says
This is an amazing recipe. Thank you very much.
Linda H says
Any chocolate cake is my weakness and this looks so good!
Betsy Barnes says
Such a yummy combo here, Rolo’s, chocolate, cake, I’m a fan!
lori galbraith says
You had me at the word Rolo! Looks good and the recipe reads like one I could make!
Doris Calvert says
yum looks so good, I live Rolo!
HEIDI C. says
I love making poke cakes. This one sounds absolutely delicious. My kids would gobble it up!
Brian Wall says
WoW !!! This looks and sounds sooooo delicious. The diet can wait another few days right
Judy Cowan says
Now that looks like a cake I would definitely want for my birthday!
nicolthepickle says
Wow, this looks delicious, really over the top good. Thanks for the recipe.
Travelbuds says
this looks so incredible. I know my kids would love it too.
tamara m says
wow! this looks absolutely incredible! definitely will be trying this recipe! thank you so much for sharing, looks amazing! 😀
NormaJane says
Decadence is what I see 🙂 I love using box cake mixes and adding to them too. In fact tomorrow I am making Spice Cake Mix with can pumpkin instead of the oil etc as instructed…cupcakes. Love the easy of this recipe 🙂 but I’m worried since I have no will power I will eat the whole thing ;( lol
Ali P says
This is all kinds of yes! The combination of chocolate and caramel is always good!
Lynda Cook says
This sounds so awesome, I could go for a giant piece right now!!
Debbie White Beattie says
This cake looks so delicious and for a chocolate lover like me, this is perfect. I would love to make this for the holidays.
kathy downey says
Every time i this recipe it make me hungry for a treat
LisaM says
This looks fantastic. We usually have a chocolate based dessert at christmas maybe I’ll make this this year!
Dannielle Tessier says
This recipe is surely on my save list 🙂 it sounds delicious and simple to make and I know my kids will go nuts …next family meal guess whats for desert ..mmmmmmmmm TY Tammi love your recipes ..simple yet they are awesome
Victoria Ess says
This looks insanely delicious!
Gord says
OH GEEZ that looks delicious! We are going to have to try this one for sure.
Chandra O’Connor says
You need to try the pecan cake and put skor pieces in the holes with the condensed milk then whatever topping. Soooooo good.