Oreo Poke Cake
Oreo Poke Cake is the recipe that started the poke cake rage! Chocolate cake mix, Oreo Pudding and whipped topping. Everyone will ask you for this recipe!
Oreos, Pudding and Chocolate Cake
Since I started sharing poke cakes many years ago here on The Country Cook, they have been some of my most popular recipes. And for good reason! They are easy to make but aren’t your usual cake and frosting recipes. Poke cakes have a little surprise inside! I created this Oreo Poke Cake recipe by accident in 2011 when I went to the store to get a vanilla pudding to make with this cake and found the Oreo Pudding Mix. It ended up being the best happy accident! Everyone now absolutely loves this cake!
Been making your recipe for years and realized I never commented! It’s been a family favorite for probably a decade at least. Thank you so much!!
– Terry
Frequently Asked Questions:
Just use a vanilla pudding and add finely crushed Oreos on top of the pudding after you’ve pushed it down into the cake holes.
Cake mix sizes have definitely changed over the years! When I first shared this recipe back in 2011, cake mixes were a standard 18.25 ounces. Then they dropped to 15.25 ounces, and now some brands have gotten even smaller.
As of writing this, Duncan Hines and Pillsbury cake mixes are 15.25 ounces, while Betty Crocker’s cake mix is 13.25 ounces.
For this recipe, I recommend using a 15.25-ounce box (like Duncan Hines or Pillsbury) simply because it gives you a little more cake. However, the recipe will still work with a 13.25 ounce box of cake mix. Your cake may just be slightly thinner.
Because each brand calls for different amounts of eggs, oil, and water (and some use whole eggs while others call for egg whites), be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the specific box you’re using for those ingredients.
You certainly could but just remember that homemade whipped cream doesn’t stay stabilized for as long as Cool Whip.
Of course. You can really switch this recipe up and have a lot of fun with the flavors. Mint Oreos would be delicious!
Because of the pudding and whipped topping, this cake needs to be stored (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also refrozen for up to 3 months.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)
- chocolate cake mix – use your favorite chocolate cake mix. I think Chocolate Fudge or Devil’s Food work the best.
- ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil and water) – you are going to use the amounts given on the back of the cake mix box.
- Instant Oreo pudding mix – see my frequently asked questions above if you cannot find the Oreo pudding mix.
- milk – I think you get the best results with 2% or higher fat milk.
- whipped topping – you don’t have to use the Cool Whip brand – the store brand works just fine. You just need to make sure you thaw it in the refrigerator before use (since it is frozen when you purchase it.)
- Oreo cookies – again, this does not have to be name brand Oreo cookies. You can use the copycat store brand version.
How To Make Oreo Poke Cake:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Make cake mix according to package directions. Bake cake according to time given on the back of the box. When cake is finished, allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch) intervals using a wooden spoon handle.
In a medium bowl, add milk to pudding mixture and whisk until most of the lumps are removed. There will be a few lumps in the pudding because of the Oreo pieces that are in the pudding. Whisk for about 1-2 minutes until pudding just starts to thicken. You want it to thicken slightly so it isn’t overly runny but not fully thickened into pudding. Pour pudding mixture over warm cake, making sure to aim for the holes.
Spread it out with a spoon and gently push down on the pudding to help get it into the holes. Spread whipped topping on top of pudding layer. Then put the cake in the refrigerator to allow it to cool completely (about an hour).
When ready, crush about 6-8 Oreo cookies (I just put them in a Ziploc bag and bang at it with my rolling pin). Sprinkle the top of the cake with the crushed Oreos.
Slice and serve! Keep cake refrigerated.
Craving More Poke Cake Recipes?
Oreo Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (Pillsbury or Duncan Hines)
- ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil and water) (use the amounts on the back of the cake mix box)
- 3 cups milk (2% or higher)
- 2 (4 ounce) packages Instant Oreo pudding
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
- crushed Oreo cookies (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare 1 box chocolate cake mix with ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil and water) according to package directions and bake cake according to times on the back of the box.
- When cake is finished, allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch intervals) using a wooden spoon handle.
- In a medium bowl, add 3 cups milk to 2 (4 ounce) packages Instant Oreo pudding and whisk until most of the lumps are removed. There will be a few lumps in the pudding because of the Oreo pieces that are in the pudding.
- Pour pudding mixture over cake making sure to aim for the holes.
- Spread it out with a spoon and gently push down on the pudding to help get it into the holes.
- Then put the cake in the refrigerator to allow it to cool completely. About an hour.
- Spread 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed on top of pudding layer.
- Once it is set, top with crushed Oreo cookies. Slice then serve.
Video
Notes
- Keep cake refrigerated
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.
Originally published: July 2011
Updated photos & republished: April 2025
I did have trouble finding oreo pudding…and then I only grabbed one 4oz box instead of two! For some reason I had it in my head that we needed two of the small boxes, so I thought "Why not just get one big one?" D'oh. I mixed it with a box of cheesecake pudding I had at home, and will just double the oreos I crumble atop! Cooling in the fridge now to take to a BBQ tonight. Thanks for the recipe!
Planning to make this into a 'dirt and worms' cake for my son's bug themed birthday party. Can't wait to try it out. Poke cakes are our favorite around here! Yummy…and super easy for us moms of 2 under 2! Thanks for posting!
I love this, thank you so much for sharing. i'm in the UK and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to purchase the Oreo Pudding mix. I was surprised just how easy it was to purchase, from the UK too. I ordered mine and received it the very next day ! I made the chocolate cake to my own taste and spec but by adding the pudding mix afterwards…………….. BOOM everyone wanted the recipe. Thank you muchly …. if you ever decide to publish a recipe book I would def buy it.
Manda. x
amazing recipe , i made it for my daughter's classroom party ,, the teachers and the moms asked me for the recipe ,, everyone loved it .. Thanks Brandi
This looks so yummy! My husband makes poke hole cakes one is a pinacolda cake and the other is a butterfinger poke cake. Can't wait to try this one!
The pan may appear smaller in the picture but it is a 9×13 pan just like the directions call for. 🙂
In the picture it looks like you used a pan smaller than a 9×13? If so, what size did you use?
Dumb question but can I make this recipe in two 8×8 cake pans instead of a 9×13 so I can give one to the neighbor??
Absolutely the best cake without frosting!! I am so ecstatic to have came across your website.
Thanks,
Amy and family
Was at Walmart and they were out..so I got French vanilla pudding instead and got double fudge Oreo cookies. Going to crush that up and put it in the mix and crushed on top! Hope it turns out good! I've made the red velvet and banana poke cake! So yummy!
Loved this recipe. Made it yesterday for a party and everyone loved it. Let the pudding get too thick before I poured it but it still tasted great! Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble finding it. My Wal-Mart still carries it – in fact I just bought a box this weekend. However, you can just use white chocolate pudding and add some crushed up Oreos to it. It tastes exactly the same! 🙂
Has anyone been able to find the cookies and cream pudding lately? I went to three stores tonight and did not see it at any of the stores. Thanks!
Brandie, Thank you so much for sharing this! I made it the other night, and we all LOVED it so much! I SLIGHTLY changed the way I put the topping on, and wanted to share it with you and hope you will give it a try sometime! 🙂
I made the cake, poked the holes, and when I made the pudding layer, I only used ONE box of pudding instead of TWO, and used TWO cups of milk instead of FOUR. (So cutting it in half.) This seemed to be enough to cover the entire cake. I then put it in the fridge. After an hour or so, I made this TO DIE FOR FROSTING (LOL!) to put on the top:
I used the 2nd box of oreo pudding with only ONE cup of milk. I blended them together with the mixer for 2 minutes, then I folded in one 8 ounce tub of cool whip. Then I spread that on top of the cake, and then topped it with the crushed oreos.
IT IS SOOOOOO GOOD! TRUST ME! PLEASE TRY IT NEXT TIME! 🙂
That frosting recipe is one I make all of the time with chocolate pudding mix to make chocolate frosting, or vanilla pudding mix to make vanilla frosting and everyone always loves it. You can also add in a tsp of vanilla, but I didn't do that when I made the oreo frosting, I just forgot to. After making the frosting, it's best to sit in the fridge for an hour or so to set. (Although we had a piece right after frosting it, and it was still great!)
Thanks again for sharing this! (My family thanks you!)
Jodie
I believe Jello discontinued the Oreo Pudding. I saw it on discount at several stores last year and now its off the shelves everywhere I look. Guess we'll have to make our own using vanilla and crushed oreos.
I wanted to make this for a while but can't seem to find oreo pudding anyplace. So instead I made a chocolate cake with butterscotch pudding. And oh my goodness….DELICIOUS!!!!!
I am going to try the new pumpkin spice jello pudding flavor in a poke cake tonight for Thanksgiving tomorrow! Thank you for the inspiration on a twist to traditional pumpkin pie…
Nicole – I have not made this as a layer cake. I probably wouldn't either. The pudding could make it a bit heavy after it cools and it may not balance well as a layer cake. Hope the helps!
Hello,
I was wondering, do you think this would work at all for a layered cake? Does the pudding set up enough to layer? I have a pretty cake stand I'd like to put it on and just wondered what you thought!
Thanks
I made this for my hubby's birthday I used a chocolate cake and chocolate pudding topped with crushed mint Oreos it was awesome
Thanks so much for sharing this!! We have made your recipe before, and I am making it again tonight. My teenage son does not like frosting, and regular cake. So when his birthday rolls around we always try new things, different pies and such. However, this is all he asks for anymore.. It is his 15th birthday today, and we are making this yummy cake. He loves oreos and with this not having "regular" frosting, he is just in heaven, thanks for helping to make 1 happy teenager!
My daughter and I have the day to ourselves so I asked her what she wanted to do. She told ne she wanted to bake so we are currently in the process of making this now cake has been in the oven for about 5 minutes and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I think I'm more excited than my daughter is!
I'm going to make this for a halloween party and color the pudding orange! Thanks for the recipe!
Went to buy the ingredients and couldn't find the cookies & cream pudding so I went a different direction. Spice cake mix with pumpkin spice pudding & cool whip on top. It was fantastic!
This looks amazing! Since I'm allergic to dairy products, I substitute soymilk for milk. I find it works well most of the time. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
I couldn't find Oreo pudding, so I put about 9 finely crushed Oreo cookies into 2 packages of vanilla pudding & it's just as good. Also, if the pudding doesn't go into the holes, put a couple pot holders on the counter & tap the cake pan on to them; bubbles will begin popping up & the pudding will fill them in!
Oh yum…I made this for dessert today, it was a huge HIT! Thank you! I LOVE your recipes, just "discovered" them through pintrest. I only used 1 box of pudding, that was all I had and didn't feel like making a trip to the store. I covered the cake nicely. Also, any way to keep from getting blobs of cake on the spoon handle when you poke? I tried cooking spray but that didn't help. Maybe my cake was too hot?
i have done this with jello using yellow and white cake. would sometimes put sprinkles or candies in the jello on top. if it was for a party i would put whip cream on top and dress it up fancy. the kids all loved it. sometimes the kids called the cake the rainbow cake because i would use several different jellos to make it.
Thank You for sharing. Today is my boy 12 birthday n I'm gonna try it i know he will love it
I made this Monday night for dessert to go along with cube steak and gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans and biscuits. 🙂
It was super easy and really delicious. I let it sit in the refrigerator for about three hours before we ate it, but it was actually much better the next day after chilling overnight.
I will certainly make this yummy and easy recipe again. Thanks! I just came across your site on Sunday, and I plan to try out more of your recipes soon!
I made this Tuesday night (added the crushed Oreos a couple hours before serving) for a cookout yesterday. Sadly, for my family there were no leftovers to bring home! 🙁 It was the first dessert to disappear at the cookout. I will definitely make this again. It is so easy and so yummy.
For some reason my Kroger's no longer carries the Oreo pudding but I did find it at my Walmart.
So happy you liked it!! Thank you so very much for the comments!!
Hi Hayley, sorry I'm late in responding. For some reason I missed this comment when you posted it a few days ago! I'm able to find it easily around here. They sell it at my local Walmart and Kroger. I tell folks who can't find it to use the White Chocolate Pudding instead. Then just add crushed Oreos on top or in the pudding.
I wanted to make this cake for my Dad for Father's Day tomorrow, but I couldn't find Oreo Instant Pudding at my grocery store. Is this a commonly sold pudding?
This sounds awesome! I want to make it for a camping trip this weekend….but if I make Thursday, will it still be okay to eat Saturday? Has anyone tried freezing it?
Thanks!
Hi Just Me! So nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for your sweet comment 🙂
I think 5 hours out in the heat would probably be too long. Maybe an hour or too but because of the milk in the pudding, I would worry about it turning bad. If it's possible and you can keep it on ice, I think that would be best.
I hope that helps! Congratulations to your son!
Dearest Country Cook,
I love your blog and all your yummy recipes. Your recipe for the homemade macaroni and cheese(no cook macaroni) is in the oven as I speak.
This cake recipes sounds wonderful. I do have a question for you. I will be hosting a graduation party for my son in July. Instead of a bakery cake, I would like to make several of your poke cake recipes. I'm just wondering though if they would hold up sitting out on the table for so long…5 hours under a pavilion in the woods. Should they sit on ice?
I made this and its delicious! The only thing I would do different is take the cake out and poke holes before you even start making the pudding. I made the pudding and then poked the holes and my pudding thickened before I could pour it on the cake. So my pudding is more like a frosting but it still tastes amazing!
I made this and its delicious! The only thing I would do different is take the cake out and poke holes before you even start making the pudding. I made the pudding and then poked the holes and my pudding thickened before I could pour it on the cake. So my pudding is more like a frosting but it still tastes amazing!
I just made this and am waiting for it to set before I add the crushed oreos on top. We are having a staff meeting tomorrow night and I made this for a co-worker's birthday…her favorite sweet happens to be Oreos! I didn't know that until after I had decided to make this. I'm excited to see how it turns out! I'll just have to keep my husband away from it!
Made this today for my son's birthday. I had the same issue as others – it didn't seep into cake. I poked the cake and then made the pudding up and applied immediately. I used whole milk so perhaps that makes it too thick. In any case, it ended up being pudding on top of a cake mix. Not what I was going for but guess what … my family didn't care — they loved it. Topped with coarsely chopped oreos.
Caroline – that is fantastic! I love hearing about all the different flavor combinations or sugar free combos everyone is coming up with. It sounds delicious. Also, it helps give other people ideas on how they can do it to so it's very helpful! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Just wanted to thank you for this recipe, and I know people posted earlier (a long time ago) about making this healthier and sugar free so also wanted to share that today I made this recipe using Pilsbury sugar free yellow cake mix, sugar free banana cream instant pudding mix, and skim milk with sugar free Murray's vanilla wafers on top and my family LOVED IT!
Oh wow, this looks amazing. I may have to try this for a friend's upcoming birthday. She'll never believe I didn't buy it at the store!
Has anyone made these as cupcakes I want to make these for my crafting group tomorrow morning and cupcakes would be best no need for plates and forks….since I'm bring ice cream with cones to go with these…..Any quick reply would be great Thanks!
I made this tonight and OMG it is soooo delicious! I used the Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge cake mix and bought mini Oreos to put one on each slice of cake instead of the crumble. So cute, easy, and yummy! An instant favorite in our house. Thank you 🙂
Making this tonight for a '31' Party at my house…I'm sure the Ladies wil {{LOVE}}!!! Thanks!
Assuming this could me done as a layer cake.
We made this but used cheesecake pudding and then topped it with cherry pie filling. YUMMY!!
This looks SO good. My kids would adore this!!