Halloween Poke Cake

Name: Halloween Poke Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 15 servings.
Ingredients: 1 package fudge marble cake mix (regular size); 2 packages (3 ounces each) orange gelatin; 1 cup boiling water; 1/2 cup cold water; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/3 cup baking cocoa; 1/4 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 to 15 candy pumpkins

This cute cake will make your favorite trick-or-treaters smile with delight when you serve it on Halloween. The moist marble cake features a buttery frosting and fun candy pumpkins on top. Out of pumpkin candies? Add candy corn instead. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1 package fudge marble cake mix (regular size)
2 packages (3 ounces each) orange gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup butter, softened
3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 to 15 candy pumpkins

Directions

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.
In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water; stir in cold water. With a meat fork or wooden skewer, poke holes in cake about 2 in. apart. Slowly pour gelatin over cake. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
For frosting, in a small bowl, cream butter until fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla until smooth. Spread over cake; top with candy pumpkins. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 425 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 270mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (52g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Halloween Poke Cake in Quick Cooking September/October 2005

Reviews

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Average Rating:

JunebugMontrose

Oct 23, 2017

Easy to make and looked just like the picture, but was the worst tasting cake I've ever made or had.
thomsmom

Oct 28, 2014

For jenelhicks, you are using a MARBLE cake recipe so there are two bowls of mix with the bigger bowl poured into the pans first the second goes over it and get swirled in with a knife blade. On this recipe either the chocolate layer was not swirled at all - just spooned over or it was just a coincidence on this piece that it looks that way. Pretty cool idea though.
Cecelia26

Aug 24, 2014

This cake is great for any occasion. While I hadn't thought about blending the orange Jello & chocolate, it's very tasty. Love this recipe!
califdreamin

Nov 6, 2013

I made this with a couple of twists that I wanted to share. We really liked it, but then anything using orange & chocolate together, mades me happy. I also just used a white cake and added cocoa to half of it, which worked just fine. But in looking at the finished cake, it didn't make any sense as to how the orange jello (I used the no sugar kind-worked just fine) would get thru the chocolate and vanilla and end up on the bottom. SO, I let it cool, turned it out, upside down on a cookie sheet, poked holes with a straw and poured my jello mixture over it, and after it had set a bit, I turned it back into the cake pan that I had baked it in. If you do this, be sure and really oil the bottom of the pan, as mine stuck just a little. I just used a can or prepared frosting since I had some, and it was great. (I can't leave anything alone!) Mine wasn't dry at all. Thanks for this recipe. I will certainly make it again.
jdodson1

Oct 31, 2013

I make poke cake often, changing the flavors like chocolate cake with cherry gelatin, lemon cake with strawberry gelatin. The family loves them all.I can't wait to try this one...
jenellhicks

Oct 31, 2013

It looks like there is a yellow layer in the picture--where does it come from?????
ConiOh

Sep 9, 2013

I love chocolate and orange together! This cake is one that I have made for years at Halloween. My family loves it too.
Gladys2

Dec 17, 2011

Everyone loved it. Now I'm modifying it for Christmas, using strawberry jello, white icing and Christmas candies (candy corn, Jube wreaths & mini candy canes)
juantonson

Nov 3, 2011

Turned out great! But not a big fan of the over powering orange flavor.
justmelane

Oct 8, 2009

I make this cake every fall. Everyone loves it, especially the grandkids.