Happy Sunday, all!
Some surprises from the weekend? SNOW!
The past two days have been in the glorious 50s but this morning, without warning, we woke up to big fat flakes swirling around, accumulating like they own the place. Accumulation: a snow-haters worst nightmare. Ben extended his deepest condolences but I know he only halfway means it. Snow is his jam!
Another D’OH! moment? Dropping an entire box of barely-used rigatoni on the kitchen floor while trying to organize the pantry Saturday morning. I took it out upside down and the contents rained out, shattering all over the tile, reaching every corner of the kitchen. The thing that made me really mad? It wasn’t even a sloppy mess that I could use my new steamer to clean up. Oh the humanity!
Some high points? Spending the day shopping and running errands with my Mom on Saturday (sometimes you just need a “Mom Day”, right?) and eating lunch with these two rugrats this afternoon. This picture pretty much captures both Finn and Evie’s moods today – joyful!
Another high point? Eating Easy Chocolate Poke Cake for dessert!
The fam hasn’t been able to get together since New Years, so we all congregated for lunch at my parent’s house this afternoon. I asked my Mom what I could bring to contribute, and she suggested dessert. I toyed around with the idea of making a fancy citrus dessert, then said to hell with it and made this crowd-pleasing, chocolaty, ooey-gooey, decadent cake instead. It is INSANE.
First up, lunch! My Mom made a big crock pot full of BBQ Pulled Pork which she slow cooked for 12 hours then shredded and topped with BBQ sauce. Finger lickin’ good and an awesome dish to feed a crowd. Click here for the recipe >
On the side was green beans and some sort of Asian Ramen Slaw.
After lunch she helped me serve up the cake (Moms just always slice and serve things better, I feel.)
The recipe for Easy Chocolate Poke Cake is actually hers back from the 80s. It’s SO good that is actually better known by a different “rated R” name but, in an effort to stay out of my email subscribers’ spam inbox, I shall call it Easy Chocolate Poke Cake, mmkay? ;)
Start by baking a German Chocolate Cake according to package directions. Let it cool for 10 minutes then use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about halfway down.
Next drizzle on a 14oz can sweetened condensed milk,
and a 12oz jar of caramel topping. Oh, I guess this would be a good time to mention that this dessert is not diet-friendly in any way shape or form. Seriously so good you won’t even care though. Trust me.
Let the cake cool completely, then spread an 8oz tub Light Cool Whip on top, and sprinkle on 4oz Heath Toffee Bits.
Slice, then serve!
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Easy Chocolate Poke Cake
Description
Chocolate Poke Cake is rich and decadent yet incredibly easy — a home run dessert every time!
Ingredients
- 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients called for on back of box)
- 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 12oz jar caramel topping
- 8oz container Light Cool Whip
- 4oz Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
Directions
- Prepare and bake cake as directed on box. Allow to cool slightly then use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes halfway through cake, all over. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping on top then let cake cool completely. Spread cool whip over cooled cake then top with heath pieces.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
The children’s expressions perfectly describe the experience of devouring this cake. Uncontrollable exuberance at the sight. Impatience as you wait for a fork. Then sheer bliss after your first bite.
The sweetened condensed milk and caramel seep into the holes in the cake, making it moist, creamy, and mind-melting. MAKE THIS! :D
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! What were your highs and lows?
Julie 01.21.2013
This is a fave in our family, too. My mom cleans up the name, too – she calls if “Grandkids Favorite Cake”. ;) She actually makes it much healthier by using applesauce instead of the oil (I ALWAYS do this – I think it makes it moister) & fat-free sweetened condensed milk & caramel syrup & light cool whip. Still tastes delish!
hannah 01.21.2013
This cake looks perfect!
I`m just wondering what is so “German” about the mix? :-)
Best wishes from Berlin…
Hannah
Tracy 01.21.2013
Maybe this is obvious, but store leftovers in fridge because of whipped topping? (If there are any haha!!)
Iowa Girl Eats 01.21.2013
You got it!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee 01.21.2013
oooo I love that you guys add the condensed milk and the jar of caramel! wow.
weekend was good… went home to visit family for my birthday :-)
Jane 01.21.2013
With all the calories, anyway, why not use freshly whipped cream in place of Cool Whip (chemicals)? I bet it would taste even better!
Amy 01.21.2013
I saw this cake and thought to myself….that’s not what we call it! Then, I continued reading! LOL.
Jill 01.21.2013
Ooooh, this cake. So chocolately. So decadent. I’m kind of obsessed with it. I’ve made it into cupcakes and cookies. So good!
ColleenB. 01.21.2013
no matter what you call it or what part of the country you’re from; it’s diffently a ‘Girdle Buster Cake’
ColleenB.
Bonnie 01.21.2013
This looks scrumptious. Just wanted to pop in and say I finally made your Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves – we use turkey when cooking and they came out delish! That one goes into the monthly rotation, now.
Dena 01.21.2013
I made this for my son’s birthday last weekend, but used crushed butterfinger’s instead. It was DELICIOUS! Oh, and I omitted the condensed milk, for no other reason than it grossed me out. LOL. Just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was good without it, though. ;)
Claire @ Health Nut Claire 01.21.2013
I’ve made a few cakes like that. Paula Deen Makes a killer “Better Than S3x Cake”! Haha.
ColleenB. 01.21.2013
Also known as Better then Sex Cake around our house as well.
Only difference, I also use Butterscotch topping, using instant pudding and sour cream in mine and topped with crushed Butterfingers, or chopped up snicker bars, or covered with chocolate curls. Basically you can use any topping your little heart desires.
I also make this cake using yellow cake mix using pineapple, bananas etc.
ColleenB.
Bek @ Crave 01.20.2013
Condensed milk drizzled through a cake. Genius. Keep your eyes posted round my blog- you’ve sparked a crazy post idea. Evil, yet delicious.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 01.20.2013
My high for the weekend was spending q time with my man and my dogs. I do miss time with my family now that I live so far away!
My low was a recipe fail. Not only did I mess up the recipe but I made a huge mess in the kitchen and wasted about 4 eggs. It was still edible though so I guess that’s a plus!
Those kids are such cutie pies! :)
Emily @ Hungry Delights 01.20.2013
I soo want a steam mop after seeing you rave about yours – your making cleaning sound like fun!
xo Emily
Alli 01.20.2013
I made this cake this weekend, too! I was inspired by the R-Rated name for a fun treat to indulge in at my friend’s Bachelorette Party. So good!
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness 01.20.2013
I love this poke cake! Have you ever tried jello poke cakes? There fun to make for holidays with cool colors.
Erin 01.20.2013
Looks like it was afun weekend! I wish I had snow like you guys did. Send it the WI way next time please? :)
xoxo
readeatcreate.com
Dale Carroll-coleman 01.20.2013
Wow, high point, finding your blog and sunny and 60 in Wichita. My best friend is from Iowa so I had to like you. I swear she talks about Iowa like its Hawaii. Must be something in the water of Iowa because other Iowans respond the same way.
Low point… Reading this and missing my friend and all my family. We are new to our community and I miss these wonderful get togetherness that always involve food. I’ll be reading you. Told my Iowan friend about you too.
Brittney 01.20.2013
Our Lutheran church cookbook growing up called it “Better Than Sin” cake. My grandma has a yellow cake version that I prefer since I’m a not a huge fan of chocolate cake. (I wish I could remember what it uses instead of Heath Bar!)
ColleenB. 01.21.2013
my yellow cake version uses bananas, crushed pineapple, instant pudding. etc.
Does that ring a bell to what your grandmother made?
ColleenB.