A winning chocolate poke cake with cookies, fudge, and field-day fun.

When it’s game day, you need a dessert that feels like a touchdown, try this Game Day Glory Poke Cake. This football poke cake has everything fans crave: rich chocolate cake, creamy pudding, hot fudge, and plenty of crunch. Topped with football cookies and a field of green “grass,” this Game Day Glory Poke Cake is the kind of sweet that gets the whole crowd cheering, win or lose.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a football poke cake packed with chocolate.
• Hot fudge drizzle makes every slice rich and decadent.
• Crushed Oreos add the perfect game day topper.
• Green coconut “grass” and football cookies create a stadium-ready look.
• Simple to make, feeds a crowd, and always a win for watch parties.

Ingredient Notes

• Pillsbury Football Shape Sugar Cookies – Ready-to-bake cookies that give the cake its football field look.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix – Boxed mix for rich, fudgy flavor with minimal effort.
• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – Pours into the poked holes for a creamy, moist texture.
• Hot Fudge Sauce – Warm slightly so it drizzles smoothly over the cake.
• Whipped Topping or Homemade Whipped Cream – Light, fluffy topping that balances the chocolate layers.
• Crushed Oreos – Adds crunch and a “field dirt” effect on top.
• Shredded Coconut + Green Food Coloring – Quick and easy way to create edible grass.

Before You Bake

Do I need to chill the cake before adding whipped topping?
Yes—let the pudding and hot fudge set in the fridge for at least 1 hour before spreading on the whipped topping. This helps keep the layers from mixing together.

Can I make this football poke cake ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the cake up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Add the football cookies just before serving.

What if I can’t find Pillsbury Football Shape Sugar Cookies?
You can use any sugar cookies cut with a football-shaped cookie cutter, or even small chocolate football candies as a topper.

Game Day Glory Poke Cake

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Pillsbury Football Shape Sugar Cookies, baked and cooled
• 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 jar hot fudge sauce (warmed slightly until pourable)
• 1 container whipped topping (like Cool Whip) or 2 cups homemade whipped cream
• ½ cup crushed Oreos
• Green food coloring + shredded coconut (for “grass”)

Instructions

1. Bake the football cookies according to package directions and let them cool completely.
2. Prepare the chocolate cake in a 13×9-inch pan as directed on the box. Cool for 10–15 minutes.
3. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake.
4. Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk until slightly thickened. Pour evenly over the cake, letting it seep into the holes. Drizzle warmed hot fudge over the top, spreading gently. Chill for at least 1 hour.
5. Spread whipped topping evenly across the chilled cake. Sprinkle crushed Oreos for texture.
6. Tint shredded coconut green by shaking it in a zip-top bag with a few drops of food coloring. Sprinkle around the cake edges to create “grass.”
7. Place football cookies throughout the grassy border. Slice, serve, and enjoy.

FAQ

Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?
Yes, but a box mix saves time and works perfectly for poke cakes.

How long does this football poke cake last in the fridge?
It stays fresh for 3–4 days when covered tightly.

Can I freeze a poke cake?
You can freeze it without the whipped topping. Thaw, then add topping and decorations before serving.

What’s the best way to color the coconut “grass”?
Place shredded coconut in a zip-top bag with a few drops of food coloring, then shake until evenly tinted.

Can I swap the whipped topping for frosting?
Yes, but keep it light—frosting can be heavier than whipped cream. Whipped topping is traditional for poke cakes.

Sprinkle of Fun

Bring this Game Day Glory Poke Cake to your watch party and let it double as the dessert and table decoration. Slice it up at halftime, serve it with plastic referee whistles or mini foam fingers for the kids, and watch the crowd cheer just as loud for dessert as they do for the game.