Say hello to this delicious Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake With Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting! This vegan poke is infused with a lusciously rich filling and topped with a thick, generous layer of chocolate ganache and toasted coconut flakes.
Trust me; your taste buds are in for a surprise when you dig into this vegan poke cake. Hidden inside is a gooey Dulce-de-leche center!
If you’re looking for the perfect chocolate cake, then this Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake With Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting is just for you!
What is a poke cake?
A poke cake is a sweet treat where holes are poked all over the freshly baked cake using a spoon’s end.
These holes are then infused with a thick liquid filling like condensed milk, puddings, flavored gelatin mix, custards, and whipped cream.
Trust me; your guests will want to eat every last bite of this poke cake as it has a perfect blend of flavors (cake base+filling+ topping) all in one delicious cake!
You’ll love this Chocolate Poke Cake recipe
Because it’s-
- Self-indulgent,
- Moist and spongy,
- Soaked in a rich dulce-le-Leche
- Topped with a generous layer of toasted coconut, and
- Delivers a combination of flavors in every single layer and bite!
Serve this at your next gathering or special occasion and watch it disappear.
What makes up this Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake?
This melts-in-your-mouth chocolate poke cake is oozing with the goodness of:
- Base layer: a vegan chocolate cake
- Filing: rich and tasty dulce-le-Leche
- Top layer: packed with a homemade chocolate ganache frosting and toasted coconut flakes
- And I am not done yet! Now comes the finishing part: melted chocolate and maraschino cherries.
This cake recipe is perfect for just about any occasion. I made it for a picnic party last year, and it was a huge hit.
So, let’s see how to make this vegan chocolate poke cake with whipped chocolate ganache frosting!
How to make Chocolate Ganache?
The first step in this cake is to make Chocolate Ganache. This recipe may seem complicated due to many ingredients and steps, but with a little prep-up and planning, this cake is super-easy to make.
1. Combine melted chocolate and coconut cream* in a large bowl.
2. Keep stirring until blended. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
3. The ganache will firm up and become thick once cooled.
*Coconut Cream – the one that is chilled in the refrigerated overnight, and I have used the top, thick part to prepare coconut cream.
How to Make a Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake?
CAKE LAYER:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Greased the 8-inch pan or 9×13-inch pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine non-dairy milk, water, oil, and vinegar. Whisk it well. Add the wet ingredients to dry and mix until the batter is smooth.
1. Pour batter into the greased pan.
2. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
3. Allow the cake to sit for 5 minutes, then start to poke holes all over the cake with a spoon. Make sure you make the holes while the cake is still hot.
PROTIP- I have used the end of a slender spoon to make holes. But a wooden spoon works the best.
4. Warm dulce-de-leche in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir to combine. Pour it all over the cake in such a way that it gets in all the holes, and the cake is thoroughly drenched in dulce-de-leche.
5. Gently even out the filling with a spoon. Do not apply too much pressure as the cake is still warm.
6. After the filing, let the cake cool for 10-20 minutes while preparing the chocolate ganache frosting and toasted coconut flakes.
7. Spread the chocolate ganache frosting all over the cooled cake.
8. Generously top with toasted coconut flakes. Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips for the Best Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake
» For the cake recipe, you can either make the cake from scratch or use a box mix – either one is perfect. Even store-bought chocolate cake will work just fine.
» I have used an 8-inch baking square pan, but I would highly recommend using a 9×13 pan.
» Instead of Dulce-de-leche filling, fresh fruit puree or caramel sauce will work great. The possibilities are nearly endless for a poke cake.
This vegan chocolate poke cake recipe can be adapted to any flavor of filling you like. If using Jello as a substitute, it will take a few hours to soak and completely set it into the cake.
» Don’t want to bake a poke cake, no worries. Bake poke cupcakes. However, baking time will vary.
» To speed up the time, you can use store-bought chocolate ganache frosting too.
» Make sure you pour the filling while the chocolate cake is still hot. This way, Dulce-de-leche filling will absorb well into the cake.
» For a nice clean slice for every serving, wipe the cutting knife after each cut.
Storage!
I would highly recommend storing the Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake With Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting in the refrigerator.
It is always best to store a poke cake in the fridge because it will absorb all the fantastic flavors and taste delicious.
Cover it well so that it doesn’t incorporate any refrigerator smell.
Can you make this vegan chocolate poke cake in advance?
Absolutely! This cake is an excellent choice for a make-ahead dessert. Prepare the chocolate cake ( the base layer) two days in advance, poke the cake, wrap it well, and store it in the refrigerator.
A day before the party, top the poke cake with filling and chocolate ganache frosting, toasted coconut, and enjoy.
Fully frosted cake stay fresh and flavorful for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. It’s a perfect dessert to feed a crowd!
Let Me Know What You Think!
Should you make this Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake With Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting or any variation of it, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below.
And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
Craving for more, try these other lip-smacking options!
| This recipe post has been updated from the archives, first published on May 10th, 2018 |
Vegan Chocolate Poke Cake With Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting
INGREDIENTS
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 1.5 cup Vegan Chocolate Chips melted ( I have used Enjoy-life chips)
- 3/4 cup Coconut Cream canned
CHOCOLATE CAKE
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1.5 teaspoons Baking Powder
- – – A pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1.25 cups Cane sugar or regular sugar
- 3/4 cup Non-dairy milk Or regular milk
- 1/2 cup Lukewarm water
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Oil unflavored
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar
VEGAN DULCE-DE-LECHE
- 14 oz Coconut Milk
- 14 oz Coconut Cream
- 1¼ cups Brown Sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
WHIPPED CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING
- 1/2 cup Non-dairy Butter Or regular butter
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar sifted
- – – Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
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Start by making the chocolate ganache first. Combine melted chocolate and coconut cream in a large bowl.
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Fold them together. Keep stirring until blended. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
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The ganache will firm up and become thick once cooled.
CHOCOLATE CAKE
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Greased the 8-inch pan or 9×13-inch pan and set aside.
-
In a mixing bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mix well.
-
In a separate bowl, combine non-dairy milk, water, oil, and vinegar. Whisk it well.
-
Add the wet ingredients into dry and mix until the batter is smooth.
-
Pour batter into the greased pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
-
Allow the cake to sit for 5 minutes then start to poke holes all over the cake with a spoon. Make sure you make the holes while the cake is still hot.
-
Warm dulce-de-leche in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir to combine. Pour it all over the cake in such a way that it gets in all the holes and the cake is thoroughly drenched in dulce-de-leche. Gently, even out the filing with a spoon.
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After the filing, let the cake cool for 10-20 minutes while we prepare the chocolate ganache frosting and toasted coconut flakes.
TOASTED COCONUT FLAKES
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spread coconut flakes on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 5-7 minutes.
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Keep a watchful eye as the flakes will toast very quickly. Remove from oven and mix the flakes for an even color.
WHIPPED CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING
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Connect the paddle attachment to the stand mixer. Combine butter, salt, and chilled chocolate ganache in the stand mixer bowl. whip on medium to high speed for about 3-4 mins.
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Lower the speed to low and add the sifted powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until combined.
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Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and mix again on high speed for 2-3 mins until smooth and creamy.
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Since it contains coconut cream, the frosting will have a light and fluffy texture. Whipped chocolate ganache frosting is much sturdier than the whipped cream frosting. Salt is optional. But to bring out the flavor of the frosting, it is highly recommended.
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Spread this ganache frosting over the cooled cake and generously top with toasted coconut flakes. Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Now comes the finishing part: drizzle with melted chocolate and Maraschino cherries and enjoy!
VEGAN DULCE-DE-LECHE
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Whisk coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar, and salt in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
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Boil until mixture on medium heat and keep stirring until it is reduced to half. This will take about 20-25 minutes. Keep a watchful eye as it may boil over if left unattended.
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The sauce will thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer the sauce to a canned jar. Chill entirely and use a directed. It can be made 2-3 days in advance.
Hi!
What kind of coconut cream do you recommend? Is it the kind from a can of full fat coconut milk separated in the fridge and scraped out…? Or were you using something different?
I’d like to make this for an office party and don’t want to mess it up😅😅
Thanks!
Yes, that’s correct. Coconut cream in this recipe is the one that is chilled in the refrigerated overnight and I have used the top, thick part to prepare coconut cream.