Try this Dream Scream Poke Cake recipe, or contribute your own.
Allow the baked cake to reach room temperature before introducing any moisture. Poking a hot crumb structure causes the wood spoon handle to tear the delicate matrix rather than creating clean channels. Let the pan sit on a wire rack for at least 45 minutes to ensure internal heat dissipates completely.
Substitute flavored dairy beverages into instant pudding mixes at a strict 1:1 ratio to maintain proper thickening. Whisk the pudding for exactly two minutes until it reaches a soft-set state before pouring. Liquid that remains too runny will dissolve the crumb completely, while an over-beaten mix will refuse to sink into the drilled holes.
Refrigerate the filled cake for a mandatory 60 minutes to let the starches fully gel inside the channels. Spread non-dairy whipped topping only after the surface feels completely cold to the touch. Trapping heat beneath the topping layer causes condensation and yields a soggy crust.