Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake – The Ultimate Gooey, Decadent Dessert for Chocolate Lovers

If you’re looking for a dessert that delivers a big hit of nostalgia, comfort, and pure chocolate indulgence, this Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake is your new favorite treat. It’s soft, rich, and downright irresistible—a fluffy chocolate cake soaked in luscious chocolate sauce and topped with gooey marshmallows that melt into perfection. Every bite is a blend of soft cake, creamy filling, and a crackly chocolate topping that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

This dessert is a crowd-pleaser for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or even a simple weekend treat when you’re craving something sweet and comforting. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make—no fancy decorating skills needed. Let’s dive into this chocolatey masterpiece and learn how to make it step-by-step!

Why You’ll Love This Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake

• Rich chocolate flavor: Every bite bursts with deep cocoa goodness.
• Easy to make: No complicated steps, just a simple mix, bake, and pour.
• Gooey topping: The combination of melted marshmallows and chocolate drizzle is pure bliss.
• Perfect make-ahead dessert: It gets even better as it chills!
• Crowd favorite: Great for gatherings, birthdays, or dessert tables.

What Is a Poke Cake?

A poke cake is exactly what it sounds like—a cake that you poke holes in after baking and fill with something delicious. The holes allow your filling (in this case, chocolate syrup and marshmallow cream) to seep into the cake, creating pockets of flavor and moisture that transform an ordinary cake into something extraordinary.

This technique became popular in the 1970s with Jell-O poke cakes, but the trend has evolved into modern variations with caramel, pudding, and ganache fillings. Our marshmallow chocolate version is a modern spin that combines two of the most loved dessert ingredients in history: chocolate and marshmallows.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp vinegar)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water for milder flavor)

For the Marshmallow Topping:

• 3 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow crème (optional but enhances gooeyness)

For the Chocolate Sauce:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Garnishes:

• Extra mini marshmallows
• Chocolate shavings or sprinkles
• A drizzle of caramel sauce for contrast

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients
   Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed using a hand mixer or whisk until a smooth batter forms.
4. Incorporate Hot Coffee
   Slowly pour in the hot coffee (or water), mixing continuously until the batter is thin and glossy. Don’t worry—it’s supposed to be runny; that’s what makes it moist!
5. Bake the Cake
   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Poke and Fill
   Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and immediately use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the surface, about 1 inch apart.
7. Add Marshmallows
   While the cake is still hot, sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly over the top. Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes until the marshmallows puff and melt slightly.
8. Prepare the Chocolate Sauce
   In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat, then add chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and glossy.
9. Pour the Chocolate Sauce
   Pour the warm chocolate ganache over the marshmallow layer, letting it drip into the poked holes and over the top of the cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
10. Cool and Chill
    Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving for the best texture.
11. Serve and Enjoy!
    Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or an extra sprinkle of marshmallows on top.

Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake

A rich, gooey chocolate cake infused with chocolate sauce and topped with melted marshmallows for the ultimate dessert experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cake

• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 eggs large
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee or hot water

Topping

• 3 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Baking dish
• Saucepan
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
4. Gradually add hot coffee, stirring until batter is smooth.
5. Pour into pan and bake 30–35 minutes.
6. Poke holes in the warm cake using a wooden spoon handle.
7. Top with mini marshmallows; bake 2–3 minutes until soft.
8. Prepare ganache by heating cream, then adding chocolate, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
9. Pour ganache over cake and spread evenly.
10. Cool completely and refrigerate before serving.

Notes

This cake tastes even better after chilling overnight.

Tips for the Best Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake

• Use hot coffee: It enhances the chocolate flavor and makes the cake extra rich.
• Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on it to maintain that soft, fudgy interior.
• Poke while warm: This helps the sauce absorb better.
• Chill before serving: The cake sets beautifully after chilling for a few hours.
• Want more gooeyness? Add a layer of marshmallow fluff between the cake and ganache.

Fun Variations

• Rocky Road Twist: Add chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) before the ganache for crunch.
• Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix ¼ cup peanut butter into the ganache for a Reese’s-inspired version.
• Caramel Lovers: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top before serving.
• Holiday Style: Add crushed peppermint or red and green sprinkles during Christmas for a festive look.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this poke cake chilled or slightly warmed. It’s heavenly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk. For parties, cut it into small squares and top each piece with a toasted marshmallow and drizzle of chocolate.

If you’re entertaining guests, serve it on white plates with a dusting of powdered sugar and chocolate curls for that professional bakery look.

Storing and Freezing

Storage:
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor intensifies as it sits!

Freezing:
Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

The Magic of Marshmallow and Chocolate

The combination of chocolate and marshmallow is timeless. From campfire s’mores to hot cocoa on winter nights, it’s a pairing that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and joy. This Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake brings all those cozy memories together in one decadent dessert. It’s part cake, part lava cake, part fudge—and completely addictive.

So next time you want a show-stopping dessert that’s easy yet impressive, bake this Marshmallow Chocolate Poke Cake. One slice, and you’ll understand why it’s destined to be your new family favorite.