Irish Cream Poke Cake

Homemade chocolate cake is soaked with Irish cream and topped with whipped cream frosting and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for a decadent and creamy Irish Cream Poke Cake.

If you’re looking for more St. Patrick’s Day recipes, click here.

This post is the first poke cake recipe I have ever made and it certainly will not be my last.

Poke Cakes are super moist because of the liquid you fill into the holes of the poke cake. 

Possibilities are endless for poke cakes because you can use any flavor cake and any flavor of liquid you can imagine.

I foresee a lot of seasonal poke cakes in my future.

As for right now, we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with this Irish Cream Poke Cake.

I’ve said it before, I love St. Patrick’s Day! 

I’m a fair skinned, red headed, blue eyed girl who loves to celebrate her Irish heritage on the 17th of March every year.

I have a fair share of Irish inspired recipes on the blog, so if you’re looking for anything from Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage to Irish Soda Bread Scones or this Baileys Mint Chocolate Chip Dip, I’ve got you covered.

But let’s get to the topic at hand.  This rich and moist Irish Cream Poke Cake recipe.

WHAT IS A POKE CAKE?

A poke cake is when you take and poke holes into a baked cake.  Then you pour a liquid into the holes and allow to sit overnight so the liquid can soak into the cake.  In the case of this Irish Cream Poke Cake, I poured Irish Cream into the holes.  Traditionally, it’s sweetened condensed milk, instant pudding or JELL-O.

HOW TO MAKE IRISH CREAM POKE CAKE

This cake uses one bowl.  You stir all of the ingredients together into a large bowl, pour into a 13 x 9″ pan and bake for 35 minutes.  Allow the cake to cool.  Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the entire cake.  Into the holes, pour Irish cream to make this Irish Cream Poke cake.

DO I HAVE TO USE IRISH CREAM?

• No.  You could pour in sweetened condensed milk, Irish Cream coffee creamer or instant chocolate pudding.
• Make sure, when making a poke cake using instant pudding or JELL-O, you whisk the ingredients and pour the pudding or JELL-O immediately while it’s still in liquid form and not set yet.
• Tip:  You do not have to splurge on expensive Irish cream.  While I do use Baileys Irish Cream for recipes, I purchased a less expensive bottle this time around and it won’t make a difference when used in this recipe.

DO I HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE CAKE FROM SCRATCH?

No.  You could easily use a store bought chocolate cake mix, prepare as directed on the box and allow to cool.  When cooled, proceed with poking holes into the cake and pouring in the liquid of your choice.

HOW DO YOU MAKE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING?

Start with cold ingredients and tools.  I placed the bowl of my stand mixer and the whisk attachment into the freezer before I’m ready to use it.  

Place the heavy whipping cream into the bowl and beat on medium high speed for 2 minutes.  Add in powdered sugar, half at a time, followed by the cocoa powder, vanilla extra and Irish cream.  Beat on high speed for one minute until all is incorporated and stiff peaks form.

HOW DO YOU CUT A 13X9″ CAKE?

From a 13×9″ cake you can get a wide variety of servings.  Depending on how large you want your slices of cake.

• You can get anywhere between 12-24 slices of cake.  It all depends on how large of a crowd you are feeding and how big you want the slices.  
• If you cut them into 2x2x2, then you will cut 4 rows by 6 columns = 24 servings.
• If you cut them into 3x2x2, then you will cut 4 rows by 6 columns = 18 servings.
• If you cut them into 4x2x2, then you will cut 3 rows by 4 columns = 12 servings

This Irish Cream Poke Cake is made quickly in one bowl with simple ingredients.

I topped this cake with a chocolate whipped cream frosting, but this Baileys Buttercream frosting from these Chocolate Guinness Mini Cakes or these Irish Car Bombs Brownies would also be super delicious.

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Irish Cream Poke Cake

Prep 10 mins

Cook 35 mins

Inactive 30 mins

Total 1 hour, 15 mins

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 18 servings

Homemade chocolate cake is soaked with Irish cream and topped with whipped cream frosting and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for a decadent and creamy Irish Cream Poke Cake.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup milk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
• 1 teaspoon mint extract
• 1 cup Irish Cream
• Chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips or crushed cookies, for garnish, optional

Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons Irish Cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 35o° degrees and grease a 13 x 9" pan with cooking spray.
2. Into a large bowl, whisk sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Mix in eggs, milk, oil, mint extract and coffee.  Stir until combined.
4. Pour into baking pan and bake for 35 minutes.  Allow to cool completely.
5. Poke holes into cake and pour Irish Cream into holes.  Wrap cake with saran wrap and allow to sit, in refrigerator, overnight.
6. Spread Chocolate whipped cream frosting over the top and dust with chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

• Into the bowl of your stand mixer or a large bowl, add heavy whipping cream.  Beat on medium high speed for 2 minutes.  Lower speed and add in powdered sugar and cocoa powder and beat on medium for 1 minute.  Add in Irish cream and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated and stiff peaks form, about 1-2 additional minutes.

Courses Dessert

Cuisine American

Check out these other St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

• Bangers and Mash by Everyday Eileen
• Easy Boxty by Our Good Life
• Brownie Batter Fudge for St. Patrick’s Day by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Cod Cakes by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Green Velvet Cookies by Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats
• Irish Buck Cocktail by Family Around the Table
• Irish Cheddar Ale Mac and Cheese by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Irish Cream Poke Cake by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Irish Soda Bread Scones by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Nutty Irish Car Bomb Cake by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Potted Crab by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Shamrock Shake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Guinness by Palatable Pastime

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