Description
Celebrate the holiday season with this vibrant and festive Christmas Poke Cake. Featuring a moist white cake infused with red cherry and green lime gelatin that soaks into every bite, it’s topped with a creamy whipped topping and sprinkled with red and green accents for a cheerful dessert perfect for any Christmas gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed on the box)
Gelatin
- 1 (3 oz) box red cherry or strawberry gelatin
- 1 (3 oz) box green lime gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water (1 cup for each gelatin flavor)
Topping and Garnish
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
- Red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Bake Cake: Preheat your oven and prepare the white cake batter according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake as directed, typically around 30 minutes. Once baked, allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes in the pan.
- Poke Holes in Cake: Using the handle of a wooden spoon, gently poke holes all over the surface of the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart. This will allow the gelatin to seep into the cake for a moist and flavorful texture.
- Dissolve Gelatin: In two separate bowls, dissolve the red cherry/strawberry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Repeat with the green lime gelatin in the other cup of boiling water.
- Pour Gelatin into Cake: Carefully spoon the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the remaining holes, ensuring an even distribution of colors across the cake. Return the cake to the refrigerator.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the gelatin-poked cake for at least 2 hours, or until the gelatin has fully set within the cake.
- Add Topping and Garnish: Once the cake is chilled and set, spread the whipped topping evenly over the top. Decorate with red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint to add festive flair.
- Serve: Slice the cake into 12 servings and serve chilled for a refreshing holiday dessert.
Notes
- For enhanced holiday flavor, consider adding a few drops of peppermint extract to the whipped topping or substituting with flavored whipped cream.
- This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days without losing its moist texture or festive appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
