Butterfinger Poke Cake
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This Butterfinger cake is the easiest poke cake you’ll ever make. Featuring a chocolate cake base and topped with caramel topping, Butterfinger candy, and Cool Whip, it’s the definition of a deliciously decadent dessert.
It’s true, everyone I know loves this Butterfinger cake recipe. Grown men swoon for it, and children polish their halos and change their vocabulary to “mother dear” for it. No cake I have ever had in a restaurant holds a candle to this indulgent poke cake.
This is the ultimate in decadence and guess what else? EASE! This is the easiest cake on earth to make. Never have you stopped a show with so little effort. All you have to do is bake the boxed cake mix according to the instructions, smear your cake with a sweet and addictive condensed milk and caramel topping combination, then add a thick layer of whipped cream and crushed Butterfinger crumbs. Just like that, you’re ready to enjoy a slice of your deliciously moist Butterfinger cake.
In case you didn’t know, I’m a big fan of poke cakes because they’re easy to make and mouthwateringly delicious. Here are some more of my favorite poke cake recipes: s’mores poke cake, Jell-O poke cake, pineapple poke cake, and Candy Corn poke cake.
What You’ll Need to Make Butterfinger Cake:
Recipe Ingredients
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- Can of sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel topping
- Cool Whip
- Butterfinger candy bar
How To Make Butterfinger Cake:
Prepare cake mix and according to the package directions.
Pour cake mix into a prepared 9×13 cake pan.
When the butterfinger poke cake base comes out, poke holes all in it with a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon, just like we did on the pineapple poke cake.
Don’t stop until it’s been poked all over!
Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk into a bowl, add the caramel topping, and stir to combine.
While the cake is still hot, pour the caramel/condensed milk all over the top and spread it around evenly.
Then let it soak in. This is going to be GOOD!
Sprinkle 3/4 of the chopped Butterfinger crumbs over the cake. Now let it cool a bit. I stick mine in the fridge at this point.
Once it is cooled, top with the whole thing of whipped cream and remaining Butterfinger bits. Refrigerate.
Now, you can eat this butterfinger poke cake now but it really and truly should get good and cold before you do.
Alright so go ahead and eat a bit now if you have to, but just promise me you’ll have another slice once it cools.
You may even need to have two or three slices once it is good and cold so you can make sure you are tasting it fully as it would be quite rude to serve something to others which you have not adequately tasted – for their own good, of course.
Storage
- Because of the whipped topping, you must store any cake leftovers covered in the fridge. They’ll last for up to 3 days.
- If you want to store leftovers in the freezer, I recommend freezing the cake without the whipped topping and candy crumbs for best results. Store the cake in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
- Instead of the chocolate cake mix, you could use a yellow cake mix or fudge marble cake mix instead.
- Alternatively, substitute the Butterfinger candy bar for your favorite, whether that’s Snickers, KitKat, or Twix. You could even use a combination of your favorites. Just chop them up and sprinkle them on top!
- If you want to add an extra indulgence to your cake, drizzle it with peanut butter, extra , or some chocolate syrup.
- The Canadian and UK version of a Butterfinger bar is a Wunderbar.
Recipe FAQs
What is a poke cake?
A poke cake is a cake that is poked full of holes to allow icing, Jell-o, pudding, or in this case, sweetened condensed milk and caramel, to slide on through. By “poking” the top of the freshly baked cake the syrup or cream runs down into those holes, settles in there real good, and enhances the taste of the cake. Poke cakes gained popularity around the 70s when cake mixes were introduced.
What is the difference between Butterfinger Poke Cake and Better Than Anything cake?
The main difference between these two cakes is that Better Than Anything cake uses Heath bars rather than Butterfinger candy bars. But the rest of the recipe is basically the same.
Can I make this poke cake in advance?
Yes, if you want to assemble the entire Butterfinger cake recipe ahead of time, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, the Butterfinger crumbs will lose their crunch after a day or so. Another option is to make the cake ahead of time and then add the toppings before serving.
Here are more delightfully easy cake recipes to bake:
Easy Birthday Cake Recipe From Scratch
Super Easy King Cake Recipe (WOW GOOD!)
An Easy Cheesecake Recipe With Cheesecake Topping Options
Peach Dump Cake Recipe (3 Ingredients Only)
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- 1 bottle caramel topping
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 large tub Cool Whip
- 1 Butterfinger bar
Instructions
- Prepare the cake according to package directions. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, poke several holes all over the top with a fork.1 box Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- Mix sweetened condensed milk and caramel together and pour it over the hot cake. Make sure to spread it over the entire cake. Chill well.1 bottle caramel topping, 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- After the cake has chilled completely, spread the Cool Whip over the top and sprinkle the crushed Butterfinger bar on top of the whipped topping.1 large tub Cool Whip, 1 Butterfinger bar
How long will this keep in the fridge? I’m assuming a few days, but want to double check.
If there is any left over and in air tight container, 2-3 days. Enjoy!
I just finished making this for a friend’s birthday tomorrow. I’m sure he will lug e our!
I hope y’all have a fabulous celebration!!!
Do you think 7-minute frosting would work instead of coolwhip?
I think so. Let me know if you give it a try!!
Christy, this cake rocks!! My mother made it last Sunday for a combined Fathers Day and a family birthday celebration. We all loved it so much and we had to divide up what was left and send them home with some, (even though my husband wanted to keep it all, ha ha.) This recipe will definitely be made over again and again! Thanks!! 🙂
I am so glad you liked it!!! It has always been one of my favorites too!!
I have been making this cake for 10 years and I use a German chocolate cake mix and add seven Butterfinger candy bars crunched up!! It’s definitely phenomenal!
This looks yummy…what other candy bars can be used instead of butterfinger ??? we have a family member with tree nut allergies and need to stay away from anything peanut butter ..thanks !!
I would just add a sprinkling of chocolate chips on top or leave the candy out entirely. It will still be wonderful 🙂
I didn’t realize butterfinger has peanut butter in them. Thanks for letting me know!
Yum, this sounds so delicious…..love your recipes Christy….now where do I find your Dad’s coconut cake recipe at ?
Eventually I want to make them both……can’t wait……