Rich chocolate cake is poked with holes and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, caramel sauce, and whipped topping to make this easy but decadent Better Than Sex Cake. With chopped Heath Bars and Hershey’s bars on top, and a crumb that stays moist for days, it really is better than…well, everything!
Take one bite of this rich, indulgent cake and you’ll understand exactly why it gets its name! Despite the semi-scandalous name, this recipe is a huge family favorite and satisfies pretty much everyone. (And if you need a kid-friendly title, just call it “Better than Anything” cake.)
Better than sex cake is simply a chocolate poke cake topped with sweetened condensed milk, caramel sauce, whipped topping, and chopped candy bars. Think of it as an extra decadent version of chocolate caramel poke cake or Butterfinger poke cake with Heath bars instead of Butterfingers. In fact, with both Heath and Hershey’s candy bars on top and two layers of caramel sauce, I’d say it’s just as decadent (if not more) than monster cookie poke cake, which has a little bit of everything.
Like all of those, this recipe begins with a chocolate cake mix to keep things quick and easy. It’s best enjoyed after it’s chilled, so it’s a great one to make ahead for parties. Just be prepared to hand out the recipe as everyone will be asking for it!
Why This Better Than Sex Cake Recipe Is So Good
- Rich chocolate & caramel flavor. The base of this recipe is a chocolate cake mix with chocolate pudding, offering up double the chocolate flavor. Then there are two layers of sweet caramel sauce. It’s all topped with chopped Heath bars and Hershey’s chocolate bars, adding one more layer of decadence.
- Beyond simple to make. Starting with a cake mix and pudding mix keeps this recipe quick, easy, and accessible to make. There’s no need to measure dry ingredients because they’re all in the cake mix. You don’t even need to break out the mixer! A bowl and a whisk will do just fine.
- Ultra moist for days. Like most poke cakes, this better than sex cake has a very moist, almost wet, crumb. This is mostly due to the sweetened condensed milk drizzled in the holes of the cake, though using whole milk in the batter and the caramel sauce on top definitely contribute.
What You’ll Need
Starting with a box cake mix keeps the ingredients list short and sweet. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact measurements.
- Chocolate cake mix – Any chocolate cake mix will do. I personally like chocolate fudge cake for the richest flavor. Just be sure the box is 15.25 ounces.
- Chocolate pudding – Mixed with the cake to add even more chocolate flavor and a soft, tender crumb.
- Cake ingredients – Instead of following the ingredients on the cake box, use the whole milk, eggs, and vegetable oil in the recipe card below. The amount may be different than the cake box, and using milk instead of water keeps the crumb extra moist.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Drizzled over the cake to add sweetness and moisture throughout.
- Caramel sauce – I like to use homemade caramel sauce, though store-bought works too.
- Whipped topping – Such as Cool Whip. Thaw in the fridge ahead of time.
- Candy bars – I use equal parts Heath Bars and Hershey’s bars on my cake. You can substitute other candy bars like Snickers, Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate chips or Milky Way.
How To Make Better Than Sex Cake
Though it tastes incredibly decadent, this cake is so simple and easy to make. You don’t even need a mixer! The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease the baking pan.
- Make the batter. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, and eggs until smooth.
- Bake. Transfer the batter into the pan. Bake according to the cake package instructions, about 30-35 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Poke holes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake while it’s still warm. Poke just 2/3 of the way down. Let cool for 20-30 minutes.
- Add the toppings. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake so it soaks into the holes. Spread half of the caramel sauce on top, spreading gently, then spread the whipped topping over the caramel. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce on top then sprinkle with the chopped candy bars.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Variations
There are lots of ways to customize this better than sex cake recipe. Here are some ideas, plus a couple of general tips.
- Reduce the sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of caramel sauce or use unsweetened whipped cream instead of whipped topping.
- Poke holes while warm. It’s much easier to poke the holes in the cake almost as soon as it comes out of the oven. Wait a bit to add the toppings but not until the cake is completely at room temperature.
- Make sure the holes are big enough. If you don’t have a wooden spoon or chopstick, use a fork to poke holes in the cake, but make sure the holes are large enough for the condensed milk and caramel to soak in.
- Try a different cake mix. For a fun twist, try using a different flavor of cake mix, such as devil’s food or German chocolate.
- Use homemade whipped cream. If you prefer homemade whipped cream, beat 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Variations. Swap the caramel for hot fudge. Use a bag of Heath bits instead chopping a Heath candy bars.
- Chill before slicing. For easier slicing, chill the cake for at least 2 hours.
Proper Storage
Store leftover better than sex cake in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap. It’s best enjoyed within 3 days.
Better Than Sex Cake
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces chocolate fudge cake mix
- 5 ounces chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup caramel sauce divided
- 8 ounces whipped topping thawed
- ½ cup Heath bars chopped
- ½ cup Hershey’s bars chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or spray a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, milk, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the cake mix package instructions, about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and, while it’s still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick to poke holes all over the cake, about ⅔ of the way down. Be careful not to poke all the way through to the bottom.
- Let the cake cool for 20-30 minutes. Once cooled, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, letting it soak into the holes.
- Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the condensed milk, spreading it gently to cover the surface.
- Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake.
- Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the whipped topping. Sprinkle the chopped Heath bars and Hershey’s bars evenly over the top.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
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