The first time I served this Better Than Sex cake at a neighborhood potluck, the name had everyone giggling: until they took their first bite. Then the room fell silent except for contented sighs. This ridiculously decadent dessert combines rich chocolate cake with sweet caramel, fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy toffee in a combination that's almost too good to be true. After perfecting this recipe over countless family gatherings, I can confirm it's earned its provocative name fair and square.
Beyond Basic Chocolate Cake
Unlike standard chocolate cake, this Better Than Sex cake (sometimes called "Better Than Anything Cake" in family-friendly settings) creates a magical texture through an unusual technique. Poking holes in the warm cake and filling them with sweet, gooey caramel creates pockets of richness throughout, while the light whipped topping provides the perfect contrast. It's comfort food elevated to something truly special, and it couldn't be easier to make.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
Flavor Perfection:
- Sweet-salty balance
- Multiple texture contrasts
- Make-ahead friendly
- Impressive presentation
Practical Magic:
- Budget-friendly indulgence
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Foolproof preparation
- No special equipment
Jump to:
- Beyond Basic Chocolate Cake
- Why This Recipe Works Every Time
- Ingredients for Better Than Sex Cake
- How To Make Better Than Sex Cake
- Substitutions
- Better Than Sex Cake Recipe Variations
- Equipment
- Storage Tips
- Grandma's Magic Touch
- A Sinfully Delicious Treat Worth Making!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related
- Better Than Sex Cake
Ingredients for Better Than Sex Cake
The Cake Foundation:
- Chocolate cake mix
- Eggs
- Oil
- Water
- Vanilla extract
The Gooey Goodness:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel sauce or dulce de leche
- Chocolate sauce (optional)
- Toffee bits (like Heath or Skor)
The Dreamy Topping:
- Caramel drizzle
- Whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- More toffee bits
- Chocolate shavings
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Better Than Sex Cake
From years of perfecting this decadent dessert, here's my simple method:
Quick Prep:
- Mix and bake chocolate cake according to package
- Let cool just 5 minutes after baking
- Poke holes all over warm cake with wooden spoon handle
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over, letting it fill holes
- Add warmed caramel sauce, spreading to cover entirely
- Allow to soak while cake cools completely
Simple Finish:
- Spread whipped topping over cooled cake
- Sprinkle generously with toffee bits
- Add chocolate shavings if desired
- Drizzle with additional caramel
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving
Pro Tip: The holes are crucial; make sure they're deep enough to allow the sweet mixture to penetrate throughout the cake.
Substitutions
Cake Options:
- Chocolate → German chocolate
- Devil's food → Yellow cake
- Regular → Gluten-free mix
- Boxed → Homemade chocolate cake
Filling Alternatives:
- Caramel → Butterscotch
- Standard → Chocolate fudge
- Regular → Dulce de leche
- Sweet → Peanut butter sauce
Topping Choices:
- Cool Whip → Homemade whipped cream
- Toffee bits → Crushed cookies
- Standard → Chopped candy bars
- Regular → Toasted nuts
Remember: For a lighter version of Better Than Sex cake, use fat-free sweetened condensed milk and light whipped topping; the flavor remains decadent while cutting some calories.
Better Than Sex Cake Recipe Variations
Turtle Version:
- Add chopped pecans
- Extra caramel drizzle
- Chocolate fudge swirl
- Pecan halves on top
Peanut Butter Cup:
- Use peanut butter chips
- Add chocolate fudge sauce
- Sprinkle with Reese's Pieces
- Chopped peanut butter cups
Coconut Paradise:
- Add coconut to cake mix
- Use coconut cream instead of milk
- Top with toasted coconut
- Drizzle with chocolate ganache
Strawberry Shortcake:
- Use white cake mix
- Strawberry preserves layer
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Vanilla pudding infusion
Note: For an adult version of Better Than Sex cake, add ¼ cup of Bailey's, Kahlúa, or Irish cream to the sweetened condensed milk before pouring over the cake
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- 9x13 baking pan (glass works best)
- Wooden spoon with round handle
- Rubber spatula
- Offset spatula for topping
Storage Tips
Refrigerator (4-5 days):
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap
- Keep away from strong-smelling foods
- Best flavor after 24 hours
- Gets better with time
Freezer Options (limited):
- Not ideal for freezing
- If necessary, freeze without topping
- Add fresh topping after thawing
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Keep refrigerated until serving time
- Prepare 1-2 days before serving
- Flavors deepen over time
- Add toffee bits just before serving
Grandma's Magic Touch
My grandmother had a special trick with this Better Than Sex cake that took it from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. Instead of using store-bought caramel sauce, she made a quick homemade version by melting butter and brown sugar together, then stirring in a splash of heavy cream. "Store-bought is fine, but homemade is divine," she'd say with a wink while Max watched the caramel bubble.
Her other genius move was adding a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness. Before serving, she'd sprinkle just a few flakes of flaky sea salt across the top. "The secret to making sweet things taste sweeter is a touch of salt," she explained. This simple addition creates that perfect sweet-salty balance that makes people close their eyes when they take the first bite.
A Sinfully Delicious Treat Worth Making!
Now you have all the secrets to perfect Better Than Sex cake - from the proper hole-poking technique to Grandma's homemade caramel and sea salt finish. This easy yet impressive dessert proves that sometimes the most memorable recipes are the ones that require the least fuss.
Looking for more show-stopping sweets? Try our elegant Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe that creates beautiful texture contrasts in every bite. Craving something boozy? Our Rum Cake Recipe with Real Rum delivers sophisticated flavor that improves with time. Or for those with dietary needs, our Best Gluten Free Vanilla Cake tastes so good no one will ever know it's gluten free!
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Last Tip: Remember, Better Than Sex cake is hard to mess up; it's all about layering those delicious flavors and giving them time to meld together in the refrigerator.
Need answers to your cake questions? Check our Frequently Asked Questions section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real name of Better Than Sex Cake?
Better Than Sex Cake is often called by more family-friendly names including "Better Than Anything Cake," "Almost Better Than Anything Cake," "Robert Redford Cake," or "Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake." In some regions, it's known as "Holy Cow Cake" or "Four Layer Dessert." These alternative names are commonly used in cookbooks, church functions, and family gatherings while preserving the same delicious combination of chocolate cake, sweetened condensed milk, caramel, and toffee.
Why do they call it Better Than Sex Cake?
The provocative name comes from the cake's supposedly unrivaled deliciousness - a playful exaggeration suggesting this dessert provides more pleasure than anything else. The name likely originated in the 1970s when suggestive recipe names were becoming popular in community cookbooks. The intense combination of chocolate, caramel, sweet milk, and toffee creates a genuinely addictive dessert experience that inspired someone to give it this attention-grabbing name that has persisted for decades.
Is Better Than Sex Cake better the next day?
Absolutely! Better Than Sex Cake actually improves with time in the refrigerator. The overnight rest allows the sweetened condensed milk and caramel to fully penetrate the cake, creating a more unified texture and flavor. The cake becomes moister and more cohesive, while the flavors meld and deepen. Many bakers intentionally make this cake a day ahead specifically because of this improvement, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for gatherings.
What was Julia Child's favorite cake?
While not related to Better Than Sex Cake, Julia Child's favorite cake was reportedly a classic Queen of Sheba Cake (Reine de Saba), a chocolate almond cake with chocolate buttercream. She featured it in her first cookbook and called it "one of the best chocolate cakes ever invented." Unlike the convenience-oriented Better Than Sex Cake, Julia's favorite was a from-scratch French cake showcasing her commitment to traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Better Than Sex Cake
Equipment
- 1 19x13 Baking Pan (Glass recommended)
- 1 Wooden spoon (For poking holes)
- 1 Rubber spatula (For spreading toppings)
- 1 Offset spatula (For smooth whipped topping)
- 1 Measuring cups (For accurate ingredient amounts)
Ingredients
- 1 box Chocolate cake mix - Any brand
- 3 large Eggs - Room temperature
- ½ cup Oil - Vegetable or canola
- 1 cup Water - As per cake mix
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (Optional) - for extra flavor
- 1 can 14 oz Sweetened condensed milk - Adds moisture
- 1 cup Caramel sauce Warmed - for better absorption
- ½ cup Chocolate sauce (Optional)
- 1 cup Toffee bits - Like Heath or Skor
- 8 oz Whipped topping - Cool Whip or homemade
- ¼ cup Chocolate shavings - For garnish
- 2 tablespoon Caramel drizzle - For final touch
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare cake mix as directed on the box.
- Bake in a 9x13 pan, then let cool for 5 minutes.
- Poke holes all over the warm cake with a wooden spoon handle.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake.
- Drizzle warm caramel sauce, ensuring it seeps into the holes.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding toppings.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Sprinkle toffee bits and chocolate shavings on top.
- Drizzle with extra caramel before serving.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
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