Giving Back with Toys for Tots + Easy Butterfinger Poke Cake!

This post was sponsored by Butterfinger & CRUNCH as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

When I learned that there was a way to give back to my community and Toys for Tots by eating chocolate I knew that I had to share this with my readers! Toys for Tots is an amazing program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that raises funds to be able to buy and distribute new toys to local disadvantaged children for Christmas. 

Over the past few years, my children and their schools have participated in fundraising campaigns and volunteered for Toys for Tots. The whole experience is so impactful for me every year because we didn’t have much growing up and holidays were very simple – we would be lucky to receive a toy or two, so I know how it feels to think that you have been left out by Santa.  

Through the end of the year, Butterfinger and CRUNCH to are donating a portion of the sales of these products at select retailers to Toys for Tots

I absolutely love baking and the holiday season is the perfect time to share my passion for celebrations through food. It just so happens that my daughter’s birthday falls on Christmas and that her favorite cake is made using Butterfinger chocolate bars – I’ll walk you through this simple chocolate peanut butter cake recipe. 

You’ll see, it’s so easy to make something simple extra special by using delicious and easy-to-purchase chocolate. Why not involve your kids and make this a family activity during the holidays? 

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake

You will need:

• 2 cups of chopped Butterfinger Mini or Fun-Sized Bars (the perfect size for a small treat if you have any leftovers)
• A box of your favorite yellow cake mix
• 1 ¼ cup water
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs 
• 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix 
• 3 cups of cold milk
• ¼ cup chocolate syrup 
• 1 container of frozen store-bought whipped cream
• A 9 x 13 inches pan

The Ingredients You Will Need:

Bake the Cake: 

1. Grease your pan
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F
3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the yellow cake mix, the water, the peanut butter, the vegetable oil and the eggs (mix for about 2 minutes and don’t forget to scrape the sides)
4. Pour the mixture into your baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
5. Let your cake cool for at least 5 minutes 

Poke the Cake: 

1. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes through the cake every ½ inch. Tip: Don’t be scared of too many holes. The more holes the better. When I make this cake again, I will remember to add more holes than I did. 

It’s Pudding Time:

1. In another large bowl, whisk your instant chocolate pudding mix with the three cups of milk (it should take about a minute for it to thicken). Tip: Don’t wait too long or the pudding will set like mine did. Make sure to pour the mixture on top of the cake, right away.
2. Pour over your cooled-down cake evenly, filling the holes with the mixture as you go with a rubber spatula.
3. Refrigerate your cake for 1 hour.

Spread the Love:

1. Take your cake out of the fridge, spread the whipped cream on the cake and drizzle chocolate syrup on top. 

Kitchen Supplies I Love:

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It’s Butterfinger Time:

1. And now, the best part: sprinkle your cake with your chopped Butterfinger
2. Enjoy! And if you manage not to eat the cake all in one sitting, store in the fridge. 

I can’t wait for you to try this; you’ll see, the Butterfinger’s thin and crispy layers of peanut butter really make this cake! 

You could easily replace the Butterfinger pieces with a broken down Crunch bar if you prefer – in that case, you will be getting the crispiness from its rice bubbles. In any case, do not leave the crunchy topping out as it’s the best part. 

Both products are easy to find at Walmart (either in-store or online at Walmart.com) which, short of making a direct donation to the organization, will ensure that part of the profits go to Toys for Tots. 

This has been an especially tough year for many families and such a small gesture can make a huge difference – why not treat yourself and help a local child experience the joy of Christmas?