Almond Joy Cake
Almond Joy Cake is an easy and delicious cake that is inspired by the Almond Joy Candy Bar. Chocolate cake mix with a creamy coconut topping!
A CHOCOLATE POKE CAKE RECIPE
This Almond Joy Poke cake recipe was inspired by one of my favorite candy bars – Almond Joy. If you like Almond Joy candy bars (like I do) then you will love this cake! I guess this could also be called Mounds Cake too if you removed the almonds from the top. This cake is so easy to make but it has so much flavor!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Some folks may like this with toasted nuts on top. I prefer the raw almonds but feel free to toast them if that is your preference.
Absolutely! If you want an amazing homemade chocolate cake, have a look at my One Bowl Chocolate Cake recipe.
Then this cake isn’t for you. It’s an almond joy cake and almond joys have coconut. You could however leave out the almonds and you would have a Mounds cake.
I don’t recommend it because the coconut/sweetened condensed milk mixture will alter the texture of the cake after it has been frozen then thawed.
This cake should be kept refrigerated. Wrap with plastic wrap and this cake should keep for up to 5 days.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:(FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- chocolate cake mix – use your favorite brand and flavor. I prefer either Chocolate Fudge or Devil’s Food Cake.
- ingredients needed to make cake; eggs, oil and water – you are going to use the amounts on the back of the box. Some people like to replace the water with milk.
- sweetened condensed milk – make sure you look for sweetened condensed milk not evaporated milk. This will not turn out if you use the wrong one. They are usually near each other in the grocery store and they look very similar so it is easy to grab the wrong one. Sweetened condensed milk is super thick and sweet whereas evaporated milk is not thick (it is liquid) and tastes like milk and unsweetened.
- sweetened coconut flakes – it is not Almond Joy without coconut so if you don’t like coconut then this is not the recipe for you, you’ll just want a regular chocolate cake and chocolate frosting recipe like my Coca Cola Cake.
- chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet) – I prefer semi sweet here since I think the milk chocolate makes it a bit too sweet but use what you love.
- butter – it needs to be real butter and not margarine.
- sliced or slivered almonds – like the coconut flakes, the almonds are what helps to make this like an Almond Joy candy bar. You can certainly leave them off but then this isn’t really like an Almond Joy anymore.
- milk – don’t use skim milk. It should be at least 2%. I have not tested this with milk substitutes.
HOW TO MAKE ALMOND JOY CAKE:
Prepare and bake cake according to directions on the back of the box (using a 9×13-inch baking pan.) While the cake is still warm, gently poke holes in the cake using a fork or other similar size object (like a wooden skewer.)
In a bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and sweetened coconut flakes. Pour this mixture over the warm cake. Some of the condensed milk should seep a bit into those holes.
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter along with chocolate chips and milk. Stir until smooth and completely melted. Do not let this mixture come to a boil. You can also do this step in the microwave using a microwave safe bowl.
Take chocolate mixture off of heat and pour on top of cake. You can use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to help spread it out evenly. Then sprinkle the top evenly with sliced almonds.
To make this a bit easier to cut into, you can pop the cake in the fridge for about an hour or so to let the chocolate cool and set up a bit.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: February 2012
Updated photos and republished: January 2023
Almond Joy Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (chocolate fudge or devil’s food cake)
- ingredients needed to make cake; eggs, oil and water
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 7 ounce bag sweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter
- 12 ounce bag chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- ⅓ cup milk (2% or higher)
- 2 ounce bag sliced or slivered almonds
Instructions
- Mix together 1 box chocolate cake mix with ingredients needed to make cake; eggs, oil and water and bake according to directions on the back of the box (using a 9×13-inch baking dish).
- While the cake is still warm, gently poke holes in the cake using a fork.
- In a bowl, combine 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk and 7 ounce bag sweetened coconut flakes.
- Pour this mixture over the warm cake. Some of the condensed milk should seep a bit into those holes.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter along with 12 ounce bag chocolate chips and 1/3 cup milk.
- Stir until smooth and completely melted. Do not let this mixture come to a boil.
- Take chocolate mixture off of heat and pour on top of cake. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to help spread it out evenly.
- Then top with 2 ounce bag sliced or slivered almonds. Slice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- To make this a bit easier to cut into, you can pop the cake in the fridge for about an hour or so to let the chocolate cool and set up a bit.
- Some folks may like this with toasted nuts on top. I prefer the raw almonds but feel free to toast them if that is your preference.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
made the almond joy cake today!
oh my god! this is very good! I definitely will make this again. I can’t wait to share it with my friends.. for those who like almond joy chocolate, this is the perfect cake to make…love this recipe! thanks for sharing! easy to make too!
since I discover poke cakes, they so easy. my family n neighbors are loving it. bless you
This was super yummy and easy to make! Thanks for posting.
Thanks so very much Penny!
My favorite candy bar as well. I made it for my bff who has myeloma cancer, has no appetite after round of chemo but needs to gain some weight before her stem cell transplant and this is something that she craves and needless to say will forever be my favorite not only because it’s delicious but because it brings much joy to my bff as well as much needed calories!
Absolutely delicious!
This is DELICIOUS! I made this for a co-worker’s Birthday , and everyone raves about it. Easy too!
Could you please verify the amount of butter – the recipe says: 1 cup (1/2 stick) stick butter – Thanks!!
Hi Beverly! It’s 1/2 cup (1 stick) Sorry for any confusion!
you know what makes it even better? Adding melted marshmallows with the coconut layer
Can this be made and frozen for 2 weeks before eating?
I just wanted to say thanks for posting this! I was looking to make a cake for the hubby, who has recently been on an Almond Joy/Mounds kick. This one was easy, didn't cost much and tastes great. Only thing I would add is more almonds!
I also forgot to ask if the cake needs to be refrigerated due to condensed milk, milk and butter?
My daughter made this cake and said it is soooooo good. Hmm…didn't save me a piece though. I will be making this one soon!!! I have tried several recipes from this website. The honey bunn cake was awesome.
I made this cake for my husband and I think it is one of our favorite cakes now. The cake is not mushy at all. Thanks for sharing!
How far in advance can you make this cake without is getting mushy?
Could you use white cake instead?
I used a devil's food cake mix, and to the cake mix added devil's food instant pudding mix, 1 cup of milk, four eggs and 1/3 cup of oil. I followed the rest of your directions. So ridiculously delicious!
I love Almond Joy's too. I was wondering if you could use the Cream of Coconut instead of the scm? On your coconut poke cake you use the coc instead of or with the scm. Or would it be to much coconut flavor? Anyway I'm going to try the switch and will let you know. lol Thanks for all the great recipes.
I just tried this recipe. The only change I made was instead of Toll house I used Hershey. It was fabulous! It was a success at the party. Thanks for sharing.
How would this be if made a day ahead,would it get mushy? Thanks
This cake would be gone in a day at my house, and I would have eaten most of it!
Oh my heavens! You had me at coconut! I'm SO making this. Thank you! Pinned. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!!!
My favorite candy bar is an almond joy. This cake looks great. I can't wait to make it.
Oh how I LOVE an Almond Joy! This cake looks mouth-wateringly fabulous! Thanks Cake Queen for sharing…=)
My favorite candy bar is an Almond Joy and it's my husband's favorite too!!!! Guess what cake I will be making soon????? Thanks for the recipe!
Oh, this sounds so yummy! I'll be making this cake soon. TFS!
Ad K.
This is my kind of cake! I love chocolate and coconut together!