Description
This Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake is a festive and colorful dessert perfect for celebrating special occasions. A moist white cake is baked and then poked with holes, which are filled with vibrant red and green gelatin to create a fun, eye-catching pattern inside. After chilling to set the gelatin, the cake is topped with creamy whipped topping and adorned with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes, delivering a sweet, festive treat that’s delightful in both taste and presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Gelatin Filling
- 1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (e.g., cherry or strawberry)
- 1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (e.g., lime)
- 2 cups boiling water (1 cup per gelatin flavor)
Topping and Garnish
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed
- Holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or other festive decorations
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Follow the package instructions on the white cake mix to prepare the batter, adding vanilla extract if you desire extra flavor.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Poke the Cake: Once cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the surface of the cake.
- Prepare the Gelatin: Dissolve each gelatin box separately in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.
- Fill the Holes with Gelatin: Carefully pour half of the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the remaining holes, creating a festive pattern inside the cake.
- Chill the Cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the gelatin to fully set inside the cake holes.
- Add the Topping: After chilling, spread the whipped topping evenly over the surface of the cake.
- Decorate: Sprinkle holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or other festive decorations on top to make it extra special.
- Serve: Slice and serve the cake chilled to enjoy its moist, colorful, and refreshing flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute other gelatin flavors/colors to match different holidays or themes.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before poking holes to prevent cracking.
- Chilling time is essential to ensure the gelatin sets properly inside the cake.
- This cake is best served chilled and within 2-3 days for freshness.
- For a lighter version, use sugar-free gelatin and whipped topping.
