It is here! Pop the Champagne and shout with joy! Delicious Poke Cakes is available now! We want to celebrate every test, taste and word—and share our gratitude for the people who helped us through the tasty journey.

It takes more than a year for a new book to be released. It is unbelievable that last fall at this time, we had just turned in the manuscript. It takes months to even get to that spot, so it is a journey—a fun journey, but still a journey.

The first step is the proposal and we have the most wonderful agents working to transform that idea into a “GO!” The Lisa Ekus Group, with Lisa and Sally and a really great team is just the best and we are so pleased to have their entire firm supporting us.

Months ago, during the summer and early fall of 2016 we were busy in our kitchens, baking cake…after cake…after cake. We poked holes in the tops of those cakes, and then poured every imaginable syrup, topping, fruit, creamy pudding, gelatin or liquor over the top. Experimenting is fun—and challenging—and we enjoy every test and taste. Then comes the writing, the proofing, and the editing. We love every step!

We are thrilled when photographs begin, for Staci Valentine is so creative and suddenly those cake recipes come alive and look scrumptious. Thanks Staci!

Then, St. Martin’s, under the talented direction of BJ Berti and her wonderful staff create the fun, colorful pages, layout and design. And they edit, and proof again and again. Thanks BJ!

Lots of steps, and lots of wonderful people work together and we are honored to be a part of the team.

The excitement now spills out to you, our friends, for we are thrilled we can share these recipes with you.

Some may remember a poke cake, when a 9 x 13-inch cake was poked with fork, covered with gelatin and then frosted with whipped topping. This book doesn’t stop there—for we took that idea and now poke and pour all kinds of wonderful toppings over the cakes.

People always ask us what our favorite is, and that is impossible. Is it a cake for the upcoming holidays or that summertime picnic? Is it a layer cake, a Bundt cake or a 9 x 13-inch cake for family dinner or potluck party? There is an ideal cake for every season and every event.

Delicious Poke Cakes is now available through local book stores, kitchen shops and on-line through Amazon and other on-line retailers.

Ready for taste? Here is just one of the luscious cake recipes.

Crunchy Toffee Poke Cake

Nonstick cooking spray
1 (15.25 to 18-ounce) German chocolate cake mix
1 (3.9-ounce) box chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
⅔ cup water
½ cup vegetable or canola oil
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (12.25-ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping
1 (8-ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 (1.4-ounces each) milk chocolate English toffee candy bars

Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, on low speed, blend together the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Scrape sides of the bowl well and continue beating for 2 minutes on medium speed. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Place the cake on a cooling rack and cool for 10 minutes.

Poke holes evenly over the baked cake using the handle of a wooden spoon. Cool the cake completely

Drizzle ¾ of the caramel topping into the holes on the cake. Frost the cake with the whipped topping. Place the candy bars in a zip-top bag and coarsely crush with a rolling pin or mallet. Sprinkle coarsely chopped candy bars evenly over the cake. Refrigerate until serving.

Just before serving, drizzle the top of the cake with the remaining caramel topping.

Makes 1 (9 x 13-inch) cake

Recipe Credit: Delicious Poke Cakes, by Roxanne Wyss and Kathy Moore (St Martin’s Press, 2017)

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