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Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 87 reviews
  • Author: Melanie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake is a festive and delicious dessert perfect for Christmas celebrations. Featuring a moist white or yellow cake base filled with vibrant red and green vanilla pudding that seeps into every bite, then topped with fluffy whipped topping and sprinkled with festive candies, this cake combines classic flavors with eye-catching colors to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

  • 1 box white or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)

Pudding:

  • 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • Red and green food coloring

Topping:

  • 1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping (thawed)
  • Festive sprinkles or crushed peppermint candy for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Batter: Preheat the oven according to the cake mix instructions. Prepare the cake batter by combining the cake mix with the required ingredients listed on the box. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Bake the Cake: Bake the cake as directed on the box instructions, usually between 25 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Poke Holes: Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw, poke holes evenly all over the warm cake to create pockets for the pudding to seep into.
  4. Prepare Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 2 cups of cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Divide the pudding evenly into two bowls and tint one with red food coloring and the other with green food coloring.
  5. Fill the Holes with Pudding: Spoon the red and green colored pudding alternately into the holes on top of the cake. Gently spread so the pudding seeps into the holes throughout the cake.
  6. Chill the Cake: Refrigerate the pudding-filled cake for at least 1 hour to allow the pudding to set and infuse flavor into the cake.
  7. Add Topping and Decorate: Once chilled, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the cake surface. Decorate the cake with festive sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies, or colored sugar for a holiday touch before serving.

Notes

  • For a peppermint twist, add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the pudding mixture before dividing and coloring.
  • You can substitute chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding for a rich chocolate variation that complements the festive theme.

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Find it online: https://flavorfestkitchen.com/holiday-inspired-poke-cake-recipe/