Description
The Butterfinger Candy Bar Poke Cake is a delightful layered dessert featuring a moist cake base infused with a creamy pudding and sweetened condensed milk filling, topped generously with crunchy chopped Butterfinger candy bars. Its combination of textures—soft cake and crunchy candy—makes it an irresistible treat perfect for parties, birthdays, or anytime you crave a sweet, nostalgic indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Base
- 1 box chocolate or vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients needed according to box instructions)
For the Filling
- 1 package instant pudding mix (vanilla or chocolate)
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
Toppings
- 4–5 Butterfinger candy bars, chopped
Optional Ingredients
- Butter and sugar (for extra richness in cake base or topping)
- Peanut butter (for drizzle)
- Caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Prepare your boxed cake mix according to package instructions. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and bake as directed. Once done, allow the cake to cool slightly until it is warm but manageable.
- Poke Holes in the Cake: Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes evenly spaced across the entire surface of the warm cake. These holes will let the filling seep into every bite, enhancing moisture and flavor.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk until thickened. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until fully combined. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping, mixing carefully to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
- Pour Filling Over Cake: Slowly pour or spoon the creamy pudding mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into all the poke holes and covers the surface completely for maximum flavor absorption.
- Chill and Apply Toppings: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set. Before serving, sprinkle generously with chopped Butterfinger candy bars to add a crunchy finish.
Notes
- Use fresh Butterfinger bars for the best flavor and crunch.
- Chilling the cake is essential to let the filling set and flavors meld.
- Space the holes evenly to ensure the filling distributes well throughout the cake.
- Fold whipped topping gently into the pudding to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
- Taste the filling before pouring and adjust sweetness to your preference if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg