It’s Halloween this week, and I’ve got a frightfully good recipe for you today!  I received a review copy of The Poke Cake Cookbook by Jamie Sherman, and while there are so many delicious-looking recipes I’d love to try (75 to be exact), I let my kids decide which one to bake first.

Their answer was no surprise.

They chose the perfect cake for October (or the month of candy, as I like to call it).  It fits the theme in so many ways.  First, it’s full of sugar, and second, it’s a Cookie MONSTER Poke Cake.

How could you possibly go wrong?

Before we get to the recipe, let me tell you a bit about the book.

First, it is beautiful.  I know that probably seems like a silly way to start a cookbook review, but come on, the photos are the best part of so many cookbooks.  This one is no exception.  I found myself wanting to bake everything in the book, even the recipes that didn’t just scream “make me” because they weren’t my favorite flavors.  That’s why I had to let my kids decide. I just couldn’t.

Second, the recipes are simple, and most don’t require any really special ingredients.  In fact, because this was a kids’ cake (there’s an entire section of cakes for kids!), I let my daughter make it.  She had no problem with the straight-forward instructions, and the cake was delicious.

Finally, there is truly a cake for every occasion in this book!  There are so many good ideas that I suspect I’ll be making poke cakes for every homeschool or church gathering we have for quite a while.  The recipes are just too simple yet stunning not to!

Easy to make and fun to eat?  That’s my kind of cookbook.

And the Cookie Monster Poke Cake?  It’s my kids’ kind of cake.  Maybe yours, too?  Check out the recipe below and find out!

What You Need:

1 Chocolate Cake Mix (We used this one.)

2 3.4 oz boxes of cookies and cream pudding mix

1 can vanilla frosting

Royal Blue Food Coloring

1 1/2 cups broken, assorted cookies for topping  (We used Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies with candy pieces)

What You Do:

Make the cake in a 9 x 13 pan (I like to use one like this because it has a lid for covering the cake.), according to the directions on the package.  Let it cool then poke holes in the cake with the end of a spoon.  Space them about an inch apart.

Mix the pudding and milk then pour it over the cake, being sure to fill the holes.  Refrigerate.

Melt the frosting in the microwave until you can pour it then add food coloring.  It will take a LOT of blue food coloring to get a nice Cookie Monster color.

Pour the frosting over the cake and spread it evenly.

Decorate with crumbled and broken cookies.

Cover the cake and keep it in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Now, I realize that Cookie Monster Poke Cakes might not be your thing, but that doesn’t mean this book is not for you!  Check out a few of the other recipes you can choose from:

• Black Forest Poke Cake
• Mississippi Mud Poke Cake
• White Chocolate Raspberry Poke Cake
• Peppermint Mocha Poke Cake
• Pina Colada Poke Cake
• Caramel Apple Spice Poke Cake
• Creamsicle Poke Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake

And, y’all, the list goes on….

So be sure to check out The Poke Cake Cookbook.  If you don’t need it, someone on your list just might!

About the Author:  Jamie Sherman began blogging at LoveBakesGoodCakes.com in 2012. Her site is full of family-friendly recipes and, wow, the food photography!

Share Your Recipes!

Okay, everyone, I LOVE trying new recipes, and I would LOVE to try some of yours!  Each Monday, I’ll be sharing a new recipe, and I’d be so happy for you to share some here, too.  Just add a link to your latest recipe below.  I can’t wait to try them!