Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
The Christmas Poke Cake is everything a festive dessert should be: vibrant, playful, and guaranteed to make people light up with the very first bite! This ultra-easy yet totally show-stopping cake combines fluffy white cake, radiant red and green gelatin for a holiday pop, and a cool whipped topping to pull it all together. Whether you’re prepping for a family gathering or just want a cheery treat to surprise your friends, this cake is a delightful, jiggly centerpiece that absolutely tastes as merry as it looks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Poke Cake keeps things wonderfully simple, but every ingredient matters for both flavor and its festive look. The classic white cake soaks up the jewel-bright gelatin, while whipped topping and sprinkles turn it into a holiday sensation.
- White cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water called for on the box): The base of your cake is tender and gently sweet, a perfect contrast to the colorful gelatin.
- Red gelatin (cherry or strawberry, 3 ounces): Adds that unmistakable burst of Christmas red and a tangy, fruity punch.
- Green gelatin (lime, 3 ounces): Brings in classic holiday green and a refreshing citrus flavor that plays off the red beautifully.
- Boiling water (2 cups, divided): Essential for dissolving your gelatin, making sure every bite is flavorful and brilliantly colored.
- Whipped topping (8 ounces): Light, creamy, and perfectly sweet, this layer mimics frosting with none of the fuss.
- Red and green sprinkles: The final touch of sparkle for that unmistakable Christmas vibe—kids and adults will both love them!
How to Make Christmas Poke Cake
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions using a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly touched. Let it cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes—you want it slightly warm, not piping hot.
Step 2: Poke the Cake
Once the cake has cooled a bit, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a sturdy straw to poke holes all over the surface, about one inch apart. Don’t be shy! The more holes, the more festive streaks of color you’ll get inside.
Step 3: Prepare the Gelatin
Dissolve the red gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water in a small bowl, stirring until completely clear. Do the same for the green gelatin in a separate bowl. The vibrant colors will become the star of your Christmas Poke Cake!
Step 4: Pour the Gelatin
Carefully spoon the red gelatin over half of the holes across your cake, then repeat with the green gelatin on the other half. Take it slow to ensure even coverage and allow the colors to soak deep into the cake.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least two hours. This chilling time sets the gelatin and ensures each slice shows off stunning, bright stripes throughout.
Step 6: Top and Decorate
Once chilled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the entire cake. Finish your Christmas Poke Cake with a generous scattering of red and green sprinkles. For even more holiday magic, try a sprinkle of crushed candy canes or piped whipped cream rosettes!
How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake
Garnishes
There’s no such thing as too much holiday flair here! After a thick layer of whipped topping, sprinkle on some red and green sprinkles, candy pearls, crushed candy canes, or even edible glitter. If you’re feeling extra creative, pipe on little rosettes or snowflake shapes using more whipped topping for a wintry touch.
Side Dishes
This cheerful dessert pairs wonderfully with simple accompaniments like a fresh fruit salad, a mug of hot cocoa, or spiced tea for a festive finish. Since Christmas Poke Cake is so light and playful, it’s also a fantastic way to balance out richer holiday treats or heavy meals.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring some drama to your table by slicing the cake into individual squares and serving each on a small plate dusted with powdered sugar snow. Or, cut the cake into fun shapes using holiday cookie cutters and arrange them on a festive platter—instantly upgrade your dessert spread!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Christmas Poke Cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. The whipped topping helps the cake stay moist, and the flavors meld together beautifully as it sits.
Freezing
If you’d like to prepare this cake even farther ahead, you can freeze the baked, gelatin-infused cake (without the whipped topping). Wrap it well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add the topping and garnishes fresh for best texture.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed cold, straight from the refrigerator! No reheating needed—just slice, plate, and enjoy the irresistible, chilled treat.
FAQs
Can I use different flavors or colors of gelatin?
Absolutely! The classic red and green are traditional for Christmas Poke Cake, but you can mix and match flavors (like raspberry or blue raspberry for Hanukkah, or pastel colors for Easter) to suit any celebration.
Is it possible to make Christmas Poke Cake gluten-free?
Yes, simply use your favorite gluten-free white cake mix and be sure all other ingredients (gelatins and whipped topping) are gluten-free as well. The results will be just as colorful and delicious.
What if I don’t have whipped topping—can I use homemade whipped cream?
Definitely! Whipped cream lends a fresher, slightly richer flavor to your Christmas Poke Cake, though it’s best to add it right before serving since it doesn’t keep as well as the tub variety.
Can I make the cake a day ahead of time?
Making the cake ahead is not just possible, it’s often better—the flavors meld, and the gelatin sets up perfectly. Just add the whipped topping and sprinkles right before serving to keep things fluffy and crisp.
How do I prevent the gelatin from mixing together?
To get those clean blocks of red and green in your Christmas Poke Cake, carefully spoon each color onto opposite halves of the cake. Let it soak in before moving the cake around to help keep the colors distinct.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that brings instant joy to the party, you can’t go wrong with Christmas Poke Cake. It’s ridiculously easy, looks spectacular, and has the playful holiday spirit baked in. Give it a try this season and get ready to watch your family and friends light up at every slice!
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Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas Poke Cake is a festive and colorful dessert that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. With layers of white cake infused with red and green gelatin, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles, it’s a visually stunning and delicious treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water)
For the Gelatin Layers:
- 1 (3-ounce) box red gelatin (cherry or strawberry)
- 1 (3-ounce) box green gelatin (lime)
- 2 cups boiling water (1 cup for each gelatin)
For Topping:
- 1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
- Red and green sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the White Cake: Prepare the white cake mix according to package instructions in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake and let cool for 15–20 minutes.
- Poke Holes: Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw, poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart.
- Prepare Gelatin: In two separate bowls, dissolve each gelatin flavor in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Spoon the red gelatin over half of the cake and the green gelatin over the other half, allowing it to seep into the holes.
- Chill and Top: Cover and refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours. Spread whipped topping evenly over the top. Garnish with red and green sprinkles before serving.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, top with crushed candy canes or piped whipped cream rosettes.
- You can use sugar-free gelatin and light whipped topping to reduce calories.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
