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Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake

This Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake is filled with a rich chocolate sauce. It’s finished with almonds, toasted marshmallows and a drizzle of warm chocolate. It’s incredibly decadent and can be made with success by bakers of all skill levels.

chocolate drizzled Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake

Easy Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake Recipe

Poke cakes, by definition are meant to be a low stress baking project.  They’re fun to make and eat.This signature rocky road fudge version is one I developed due to my love of rocky road in any form.  It can be served warm or chilled it’s completely up to you.  Personally, I think there’s just something about serving it while it’s still warm and the marshmallows are gooey.  It’s a rich cake that’s meant for sharing. How to make Rocky Road Poke Cake: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Cake – Prepare the cake mix. with self rising flour and the amount of eggs, oil and water called for on the package. Bake in a 13×9 inch cake pan per directions until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.
  • Poke Holes – Remove from the oven and Immediately take a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon and poke holes all over the hot cake. Be generous.
  • Hot Fudge – Warm the hot fudge in the microwave just enough to make it pourable then whisk together with the sweetened condensed milk. Spread over the hot cake pressing into the holes.
  • Toppings – Arrange the marshmallows on top and sprinkle 1/3 cup of mini chocolate chips over the marshmallows.
  • Toast – Return to the oven for 5 minutes to allow the marshmallows to melt and become slightly golden.
  • Melt Chocolate – Melt remaining 1 cup mini chocolate chips in the microwave with heavy cream until smooth.
  • Drizzle over the warm toasted marshmallows and crumble the toasted almond slices on top. Let stand for 30-45 minutes.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
step-by-step preparation of Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake

How to Make the Best Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Rocky road Poke Cake: One box Fudge cake mix p;us eggs oil and water to prepare, sweetened condensed milk, hot fudge sauce, mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: A hand mixer or stand mixer, large bowl, medium microwave safe bowl, measuring cups and spoons, 13 x 9 inch cake pan, large bowl, sheet pan for toasting the almonds.
  • I use a fudge cake mix for this recipe but, you can use any flavor of chocolate cake mix that you like best.  whether it’s devils food, milk chocolate or dark chocolate any will work. Rule of thumb, if you like the flavor, then you’ll be good to go.
  • Cake mixes seem to continue to dwindle in volume. That’s why I add 1/4 cup of self rising flour to this recipe. It’s a cake mix hack that helps add just enough to hold the sweet filling. There’s no need to add more sugar.
  • Please note: This cake is sweet by design it’s just the nature of poke cakes. Think of it as a chocolate Tres Leches cake that’s soaked with three kinds of milk.
  • You can also use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke large holes throughout the cake.
  • To Toast Almonds: Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan. Roast for 6-8 minutes or just until lightly golden and fragrant.
  • Seasoned bakers, if you’d like to make this cake using a homemade chocolate cake, checkout my recipe for chocolate buttermilk cake.
  • As I mentioned earlier, this cake is spectacular served warm. That being said, it does keep so, if  preferred, you can also serve it at room temperature. When doing so, you can follow the recipe and drizzle immediately with chocolate or wait and drizzle with the warm chocolate on top just before serving.
  • Store Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
how to make Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake with cake mix

More Poke Cake Recipes to Make

Julia child once said that a party without cake is just a meeting. I completely agree, cake always gets the party started. Other chocolate cake and dessert recipes you may like to try:

easy Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Rocky Road Fudge Poke Cake

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Cooling time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: fudge-poke-cake-recipe, rocky-road-fudge, rocky-road-fudge-poke-cake
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 529kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 oz box chocolate fudge cake mix plus ingredients eggs oil and water to prepare
  • 1/4 cup self rising flour
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 11 oz jar hot fudge ice cream topping
  • 1 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
  • 1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips divided
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds toasted

Instructions

  • In a large bowl using an electric mixer prepare the cake mix with the self rising flour and the amount of eggs, oil and water called for on the package.
  • Bake in a 13×9 inch cake pan per directions until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.
  • Remove from the oven and immediately poke holes all over the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon. Be generous.
  • In a medium microwave safe bowl warm the hot fudge in the microwave just enough to make it pourable then whisk together with the sweetened condensed milk. Spread over the hot cake pressing into holes.
  • Arrange the marshmallows on top and sprinkle 1/3 cup of mini chocolate chips over the marshmallows.
  • Return to the oven for 5 minutes ad broil just until the marshmallows have melted and become slightly golden.
  • Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 cup mini chocolate chips in the microwave with 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Heat in 20 second increments stopping to stir each time. Repeat until smooth.
  • Drizzle over the warm toasted marshmallows and crumble the toasted almond slices on top. Let stand for 30-45 minutes.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • To Toast Almonds: Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan. Roast for 6-8 minutes or just until lightly golden and fragrant. 
  • Cake mixes seem to continue to dwindle in volume. That’s why I add 1/4 cup of self rising flour to this recipe. It’s a cake mix hack that helps add just enough to hold the sweet filling. There’s no need to add more sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 310mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

23 Comments

    1. Videos are for demonstration only. You can use a whisk if you want but, a mixer will make it much easier to do. Please follow the written recipe.

  1. Hi.. I was looking for the plate u used in this cake pic,In which u have placed the fork also.I looked for it in the amazon’s link provided by u,but couldn’t find it there.Could u please help me with it.

      1. Thank u so so much for replying. I checked out the collection.The design is different from yours.If possible plz share some details about the plate… I’ll look for it online.

  2. Hi,what’s the difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream? Will it make a difference on which one is used? Thank you.

    1. You can use heavy cream or whipping cream, no problem. The difference is fat content and sugar.

  3. Hi Melissa
    Could you tell me if the picture on your home page (the first photo)is this rocky road fudge poke cake? If not what is it?
    I just came across your page and I think it’s great.Can’t wait to try some new recipes!
    Thank you,
    Theresa

  4. This looks so yummy Melissa!! My daughter is heading to Honduras in April on a Medical Mission and they are having a bake sale to raise money. These will be perfect for the college kids, they will love it. Thanks again

    Dianne Campbell

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