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This Better Than Sex Cake is a rich chocolate poke cake filled with caramel and sweetened condensed milk, then topped with fluffy whipped topping and crunchy toffee pieces. It starts with a simple cake mix, but once that caramel filling sinks into the cake, it tastes like the kind of dessert everyone asks for again.
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This cake makes a great dessert for any occasion and is always one of the first one to go! So yummy!” – Wilhelmina
“The title of this recipe couldn’t be more accurate! SO GOOD!!!” – Krissy
“Made this for my family Easter celebration this year and it was a HUGE success! Everyone had seconds!” – Suzanne
Why I Love This Cake
This cake has been a family favorite for years. My kids have requested it for their birthdays many times, and it quickly became one of those desserts I knew I could count on for parties, birthdays, and family dinners. I love that it starts with a basic cake mix but tastes like so much more once the caramel and sweetened condensed milk soak down into the cake.
The name is not exactly family friendly, so around kids we usually call it “Better Than You Know What Cake” or “Better Than Anything Cake”. No matter what you call it, the combination of chocolate cake, caramel filling, whipped topping, and crunchy Heath or Skor candy bars is always a hit.
🩷 Erica
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Devil’s food cake mix – This gives the cake a rich chocolate base and keeps the recipe quick and easy.
- Sweetened condensed milk – This soaks into the cake and makes it extra moist and sweet.
- Caramel topping – Ice cream caramel topping works great, or you can use homemade caramel sauce.
- Whipped topping – Cool Whip is easy and holds up well, but homemade whipped cream also works.
- Heath or Skor candy bars – Chopped toffee bars add the best crunchy topping.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Cake mix: Devil’s food cake is my favorite, but German chocolate cake mix or regular chocolate cake mix also work well.
- Homemade cake mix: If you prefer to make the cake from scratch, use a Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix and bake it in a 9×13 pan.
- Candy topping: Try Butterfinger, Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Reese’s Pieces, mini M&M’s, crushed Oreos, mini Oreos, Fudge Stripe cookies, chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips.
- Caramel sauce: Store-bought caramel ice cream topping is easiest, but homemade caramel sauce makes it extra good.
- Whipped topping: Use thawed Cool Whip for convenience, or make homemade whipped cream with heavy cream and sugar. Avoid canned whipped cream because it melts too quickly.
- Extra chocolate: Drizzle chocolate syrup or hot fudge over the top before serving.
- Nut allergy note: Check the labels on Heath and Skor bars if you are serving someone with a nut allergy, since toffee candies may contain almonds or be made around nuts.
How to Make Better Than Sex Cake
- Bake the cake. Prepare the Devil’s food cake mix according to the package directions for a 9×13-inch pan. Let the cake cool for about 15 minutes.
- Poke and fill. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly over the warm cake, about halfway down. Stir together the sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping, then slowly pour it over the cake so it sinks into the holes.
- Chill and spread. Cover and refrigerate the cake until completely cooled. This gives the caramel filling time to soak in and makes the cake easier to frost. Spread whipped topping over the chilled cake.
- Top and serve. Sprinkle chopped Heath or Skor candy bars on top. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t poke all the way through the cake. The filling should settle into the cake, not pool at the bottom of the pan.
- Pour slowly. Give the caramel mixture time to sink into the holes as you pour.
- Chill before topping. If the cake is still warm, the whipped topping can melt and slide around.
- Add the candy right before serving. This keeps the toffee pieces crunchy.
- Use a 9×13-inch pan. This size gives the right thickness and makes the cake easy to slice for a crowd.
- Make altitude adjustments if needed. Follow the high-altitude instructions on the cake mix box if you live at a higher elevation.
- Use toffee bits to save time. Heath bits from the baking aisle are easier than chopping candy bars.
- For a gooier cake, chill longer. This cake is even better once it has had time to soak in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Better Than Sex Cake is a chocolate poke cake made with caramel, sweetened condensed milk, whipped topping, and chopped toffee candy bars. The filling soaks into the cake and makes it extra moist, while the whipped topping and candy add a creamy, crunchy finish.
Yes! If you want a more family-friendly name, call it Better Than Anything Cake, Better Than You Know What Cake, or Chocolate Caramel Toffee Poke Cake.
Yes, homemade whipped cream cream works well. Just don’t use canned whipped cream because it melts quickly and can make the top of the cake runny.
Yes. Homemade caramel sauce works beautifully in this cake. You can use it warm or cooled, as long as it is pourable enough to soak into the holes.
Heath and Skor bars are both chocolate-covered toffee bars and either one works for this recipe. Skor tends to have a slightly more buttery flavor, while Heath has a classic toffee flavor that is easy to find in most grocery stores.
Yes. Devil’s food cake gives the richest chocolate flavor, but German chocolate cake mix, regular chocolate cake mix, yellow cake mix, or white cake mix can also be used.
The cake can get soggy if the holes go all the way to the bottom, if too much filling pools in one spot, or if it sits too long after being fully assembled. Pour slowly, spread the filling evenly, and enjoy the cake within a couple of days for the best texture.
Yes, you can make Better Than Sex Cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Also check the labels on the caramel topping, sweetened condensed milk, whipped topping, and candy bars to make sure they are gluten-free. Toffee bars can vary by brand, so gluten-free toffee bits or another certified gluten-free candy topping may be a safer option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make ahead: Bake the cake and add the caramel filling up to one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then add the whipped topping and chopped candy bars before serving.
Storing: Keep the cake covered in the refrigerator. It is best within 2 to 3 days because the topping and cake can get softer the longer it sits.
Freezing: Freeze the baked cake before adding the filling and topping. Wrap it tightly, freeze, then thaw completely before finishing the recipe.
Serving: This cake is best served chilled. Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to slice and serve.
Pairing Ideas
This cake is rich, so I like serving it after a simple dinner or alongside lighter party foods. It goes well with recipes like Grilled Balsamic Chicken, Tomato Basil Pasta, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, or a big Chef Salad and Breadtwists.
More Poke Cake Recipes
Better Than Sex Cake is one of those easy desserts that always gets people talking. It is rich, chocolatey, creamy, crunchy, and so simple to make with a cake mix and a few extra ingredients. Make it for a birthday, potluck, holiday, or Sunday dinner and watch how fast it disappears.
If you make this Better Than Sex Cake, leave a comment and let us know what your family calls it! 💛
Better Than Sex Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 12.25 ounces caramel flavored topping
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 4 Heath or Skor candy bars, chopped
Instructions
- Bake cake according to package directions for a 9×13 inch pan. Cool for about 15 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes into the cake.
- In a small bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping. Slowly pour caramel mixture over the cake, letting it sink into the holes.
- Let cake cool completely (I usually cover it and put it in the fridge until I'm ready to serve it). Top cooled cake with whipped topping.
- Decorate the top of the cake with chopped candy bars. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Equipment
- 9×13 Cake Pan
- Wooden Spoon
- Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
Notes
- Poke the holes about halfway into the cake, not all the way through.
- Pour the caramel mixture slowly so it has time to soak in.
- Chill the cake before adding the whipped topping.
- Add the chopped candy bars close to serving time so they stay crunchy.
- Cool Whip works well, but homemade whipped cream can also be used.
- Store covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2 to 3 days for the best texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can I freeze this cake?
You can freeze the cake, but not the topping. For best results thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight and add the topping just before serving. Thank you for asking!
Looks great, going to make it.
i made this cake for my workplace, i work in a hospital as the head cook for patient breakfast and the cafeteria, so i found this recipe totally by accident and loved the name, and therefore i made it!! It was a complete hit with everyone!! They loved it, so sweet and moist.. Will definitely make again
One of my most favorite cakes ever. After I pour the sweetened condensed milk and caramel mixture, I put it back in the oven for 5 minutes to set those toppings a little more. It makes it more gooey and less runny. And everyone fights to scrape the sides of the pan to get the caramelized goodness.
If I wanted to use homemade caramel, what recipe would work for this cake.
You could use the recipe for caramel sauce from our dessert sauces post: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/3-dessert-dipping-sauces/#wprm-recipe-container-20039
Hi so I recently made your BETTER THAN SEX CAKE for my friends bday WITH A FEW INTERSTING CHANGES FOR A EVEN MORE AMAZING TASTE ..SO I STARTED with the devils food cake mix, MIXING accord. then I added a pckg if dry instant choc pudding,2 eggs and water and baked accord. FOLLOWED BY poking the holes on top of the cake, carefully pouring the combined condensed milk and caramel sauce covering entire cake, I let it set then as for frosting I combined whipped butter, powdered sugar and finely chopped candy bars together then spread over entire cake the sprinkled with CHUNKS OF HEATH SKOR AND BUTTERFINGER CANDY BARS THEN DRIZZLE CHOC AND CARAMEL SYRUP, REFRIGERATE. It was so good THANK YOU SINCERELY!
There are tree nuts in both Heath and Skor bars. Toffee in America generally always has almonds or nuts of some sort.
This cake looks so rich and decadent. I love how easy it is to make. Putting on my to do list for tomorrow!
My mom made this and it is perfection!
This cake makes a great dessert for any occasion and is always one of the first one to go! So yummy!
Is there anything more you could want in a cake?! I don’t think so! This has such amazing ingredients and flavor. YUM!
I’m not a cake eater but I have to try this one, I am going to add pecans in the mix. Thank you!
The title of this recipe couldn’t be more accurate! SO GOOD!!!