Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake

This Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake uses a boxed mix chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and is topped with crushed cookie "dirt" and candy pumpkins to make the perfect treat for Halloween parties and fall gatherings!

Halloween is so much fun, and I especially love all of the spooky-themed party treats! This Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake is a simple recipe, and the kids will love helping with the decorations! The decadent chocolate cake has holes poked into it, so the chocolate pudding on top seeps into the cake for more chocolatey goodness! Then, the cake is topped with crushed Oreo "dirt", icing "vines" and candy pumpkins. This Halloween treat will give everyone "pumpkin" to talk about!

This Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake is easy to make, and is a fun dessert to share with family and friends at your Halloween parties and other fall gatherings. Even better, the kids can help! Here's what you'll need:

(Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are found below)

For the chocolate cake:

chocolate cake mix - you can use any brand of boxed cake mix you like. I prefer devil’s food cake mix, but you can absolutely use chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate fudge instead!
You will also need the ingredients listed on the box (water, oil, eggs)
milk - any dairy milk will work to make the pudding creamy and smooth.
instant chocolate pudding mix: you can use any brand of instant pudding mix. Just make sure it's the instant pudding and not the cook and serve!

For the topping:

powdered sugar - unlike granulated sugar, this is the right consistency to blend with the milk and, of course, sweetens the icing. .
milk - any dairy milk will work to make the icing creamy and smooth.
gel food coloring: be sure to gel food coloring, and not liquid. The gel is thicker and more concentrated to create bolder colors. Liquid food coloring may not give you the same result.
Oreos - crush these cookies up to create some delicious "dirt" for the pumpkin patch.
Mellowcreme Pumpkin Candies - these adorable, tiny pumpkins really turn this cake into a pumpkin patch!

You will also need a hand/stand mixer, mixing bowls, 9x13 baking dish, parchment paper, and a piping bag.

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Bake the cake and allow it to cool completely. Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake.

While the cake is cooling, prepare the instant chocolate pudding. Whisk the chocolate pudding mix and milk until combined. Immediately spoon the pudding over the cooled cake and spread it out evenly so that it will seep into the holes. Cover and chill the cake for 1 hour.

Crush Oreos into fine crumbs by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor. Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the cake for a nice layer of "dirt".

Whip together the icing ingredients, then add green gel food coloring and mix until smooth. Pour the icing into a piping bag fitted with a piping tip, or use a plastic storage bag with one of the corners cut off. Pipe frosting swirls over the surface of the cake to create "vines".

Place the candy pumpkins on top of the vines over the surface of the cake to complete the look of the pumpkin patch. The kids will LOVE helping with this part!

Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake

Servings: 15

Bake Time: 25 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Chocolate Cake Ingredients:

• 13.25 oz chocolate cake mix
  plus the ingredients from the back of the box (water, oil, eggs)
• 3.4 oz chocolate instant pudding mix
• 2 cups milk

Chocolate Cake Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix and water, oil, and eggs following packaging directions.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, then spread evenly with a spatula.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not over-bake.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely, about 30 minutes.
7. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake.
8. In a mixing bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk together until combined and smooth.
9. Spoon the pudding over the cake and smooth it out evenly. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Icing Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 1 Tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla
• Gel food coloring - green

Icing Directions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla using a hand or stand mixer until combined and has a fluffy and smooth consistency.
   If too thin, add some more powdered sugar. If too thick, add more milk.
2. Add green gel food coloring and mix until smooth.
3. Add a piping tip to a piping bag, and fill it with the icing.
4. After topping the cake with Oreo crumbs, swirl icing over the top to create the "vines".

Cake Decoration Ingredients:

• 25 Oreo cookies
• Mellowcreme Pumpkin Candies

Cake Decorating Directions:

1. Crush Oreos (by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor) into fine crumbs.
2. Generously sprinkle cookie crumbs over the top of the cake to create a layer of "dirt".
3. Arrange pumpkin candies on top of the icing "vines".

Storage:

• Refrigerate cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

My family loves this Pumpkin Patch Poke Cake and is a hit at our Halloween parties, and hope you try it for yourself! If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!! 

Looking for more Halloween Party inspiration?

Check out this collection of OVER 100 creative Halloween Party ideas!!

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