Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe That Dazzles Every Time

Sweet memories flood my mind when I think about this delightful christmas poke cake that brings joy to every festive gathering.

Layers of rich, moist goodness await you in this irresistible dessert.

Soft sponge cake becomes a canvas for creamy filling and delicate decorations.

Festive sprinkles dance across the surface, promising a celebration in every bite.

Hints of holiday spices weave through each delectable slice, creating a warm and inviting experience.

Comfort and cheer blend perfectly in this simple yet spectacular treat.

Dive in and let the magic of the season melt on your tongue.

FAQs About Christmas Poke Cake

• What ingredients do I need for the Christmas Poke Cake?

You’ll need white cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, whipped topping, and food coloring in red and green. Optional sprinkles can be added for extra festive decoration.

• How do I make the holes in the cake?

Use the end of a wooden spoon to create evenly spaced holes all over the top of the slightly cooled cake. These holes allow the pudding to seep into the cake and create a moist texture.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake actually tastes better when prepared in advance. You can make it a day before your event and keep it refrigerated until serving.

What Makes Christmas Poke Cake Special

• Celebrate Festive Flavors: Transform a simple white cake into a stunning Christmas dessert that captures holiday cheer with its vibrant red and green colors.
• Hassle-Free Holiday Baking: Create an impressive dessert using basic ingredients and minimal kitchen skills, perfect for busy home bakers wanting to wow their guests.
• Quick Party Pleaser: Prepare this crowd-pleasing cake in advance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying holiday gatherings instead of stressing in the kitchen.
• Delightful Family Activity: Engage kids in decorating the cake with colorful toppings, turning baking into a fun and memorable holiday bonding experience.

Key Ingredients for Christmas Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: A light and fluffy foundation that creates the soft base for this festive dessert.

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: A creamy mixture that adds moisture and rich flavor to the cake.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and consistent pudding texture.

• Whipped Topping: A light and airy cream that provides a smooth covering for the cake.
• Red Food Coloring: Adds a festive red hue to one portion of the whipped topping.
• Green Food Coloring: Creates a holiday-themed green color for the other portion of whipped topping.
• Sprinkles: Colorful decorative elements that add a fun and festive touch to the cake.

How to Bake Christmas Poke Cake

Step 1: Whip Up the Cake Base

Grab a white cake mix and follow the package instructions to bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Let the cake cool down for about 10 minutes, creating a warm canvas for the festive magic.

Step 2: Create Delightful Holes

Take the handle end of a wooden spoon and playfully poke holes all across the cake’s surface. These little caverns will soon be filled with creamy goodness.

Step 3: Pour Creamy Pudding Magic

• Instant vanilla pudding mix
• Milk

Blend until silky smooth, then gently pour the pudding over the cake, ensuring it cascades into every hole.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Slide the cake into the refrigerator and let it rest for at least an hour. This allows the pudding to set and flavors to mingle.

Step 5: Craft Festive Frosting

Divide your whipped topping into two separate bowls. Add red food coloring to one portion and green to the other, creating a Christmas color palette.

Step 6: Decorate with Holiday Cheer

Spread the white whipped topping as a base layer. Then use red and green toppings to create a festive design. Sprinkle some holiday-themed sprinkles for extra sparkle.

Step 7: Final Chill

Return the cake to the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve this delightful Christmas treat.

Pro Tips for Moist and Flavorful Cake

• Ensure cake mix is fresh for the best texture and flavor.
• Create evenly spaced holes for uniform pudding distribution.
• Use cold milk when mixing pudding to achieve smooth consistency.
• Select gel food coloring for vibrant red and green decorations without changing whipped topping texture.
• Allow cake to cool completely before adding pudding to prevent soggy results.

Variations to Make It Your Own

• Holiday Wonderland Cake: Replace vanilla pudding with peppermint pudding mix and add crushed candy canes on top for festive crunch.
• Festive Berry Bliss: Swap plain pudding with strawberry pudding and add fresh raspberries between whipped topping layers for bright color and tangy flavor.
• Santa's Sweet Surprise: Mix crushed graham crackers into cake batter and use cream cheese frosting instead of whipped topping for richer texture.
• Nutcracker's Delight: Incorporate chopped pecans into cake mix and drizzle melted white chocolate over the final decorated cake for elegant Christmas presentation.

Pairing Ideas for Christmas Poke Cake

• Pair Festive Beverages: Complement the sweet Christmas Poke Cake with creamy eggnog or warm mulled wine for a delightful holiday experience.
• Create Holiday Flavor Harmony: Match the cake's vanilla and whipped cream base with peppermint hot chocolate, enhancing the Christmas dessert's seasonal spirit.
• Enhance Dessert Enjoyment: Serve chilled sparkling apple cider alongside the cake to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy texture.
• Elevate Tasting Experience: Offer a smooth coffee or cappuccino to balance the cake's sweetness and provide a warm, comforting companion to the festive treat.

Storage Tips for Poke Cake

• Store the Christmas Poke Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the whipped topping from sticking.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut leftover cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for quick grab-and-go treats.
• Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Avoid microwaving as it will melt the whipped topping and pudding layers.

Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Christmas magic springs to life with this festive poke cake, blanketed in creamy layers and holiday cheer. Seasonal flavors dance through each bite, inviting you to savor the delightful spirit of Christmas celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites

Filling and Topping:

• 1 (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decorative Elements:

• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring
• Sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare white cake mix in a 9×13-inch pan following package instructions at 350°F for approximately 25-30 minutes.
2. Let cake cool for 10 minutes, then create multiple holes across the surface using a wooden spoon handle.
3. Whisk vanilla pudding mix with milk until completely smooth and consistent.
4. Carefully pour pudding mixture over cake, ensuring liquid penetrates all created holes thoroughly.
5. Chill cake in refrigerator for minimum 1 hour to allow pudding to set completely.
6. Separate whipped topping into two portions, tinting one portion vibrant red and the other festive green.
7. Gently spread white whipped topping as base layer across entire cake surface.
8. Artfully pipe red and green whipped topping decoratively over white base layer.
9. Sprinkle holiday-themed decorative sprinkles across top for additional festive flair.
10. Return decorated cake to refrigerator until serving time to maintain fresh, chilled texture.

Notes

• Ensure cake is slightly warm when poking holes to help pudding seep deeply into the cake’s interior for maximum flavor absorption.
• Use wooden spoon handle with consistent pressure to create uniform holes, preventing cake from cracking or breaking.
• Select food-safe gel colors for vibrant red and green decorations without altering whipped topping’s texture.
• Consider using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat whipped topping for a lighter version of this festive dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg