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Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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

  1. Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Prepare the Gelatin: Dissolve each gelatin box separately in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.
  6. 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.
  7. Chill the Cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the gelatin to fully set inside the cake holes.
  8. Add the Topping: After chilling, spread the whipped topping evenly over the surface of the cake.
  9. Decorate: Sprinkle holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or other festive decorations on top to make it extra special.
  10. 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.