Description
This festive Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake combines a moist white cake base with vibrant red and green gelatin flavors, perfect for celebrating the season. The cake is poked and filled with cherry and lime gelatin, then topped with creamy whipped topping and colorful holiday sprinkles for a visually stunning and delicious dessert that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water)
Gelatin Ingredients
- 1 package (3 oz) red gelatin (like cherry or strawberry)
- 1 package (3 oz) green gelatin (like lime)
- 2 cups boiling water (1 cup per gelatin flavor)
- 1 cup cold water (1/2 cup per gelatin flavor)
Topping and Garnish
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
- Holiday sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven according to the white cake mix package instructions. Prepare the cake batter following the box directions, including the eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes.
- Make the Gelatin: In two separate bowls, dissolve the red gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and the green gelatin in another 1 cup boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water to each bowl and stir again.
- Poke the Cake: Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the warm cake approximately 1 inch apart to allow the gelatin to seep into the cake.
- Pour the Gelatin: Carefully spoon the red gelatin mixture over half of the holes, and the green gelatin mixture over the remaining holes. Use a spoon to guide the gelatin into the holes without spilling over the cake surface.
- Chill the Cake: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight so the gelatin sets firmly inside the cake.
- Add Topping and Garnish: Once chilled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle holiday-themed sprinkles on top for a festive finish. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- You can use homemade whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping for a fresher taste.
- For a peppermint twist, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top along with the holiday sprinkles.
- Best made a day ahead to allow the gelatin to fully set and flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
