Bring a little magic to your holiday table with this festive Christmas poke cake!
Classic white cake comes swirled with jolly red and green colors underneath a blanket of snowy frosting. And, of course, there are holiday sprinkles to match.
With the ease of store-bought cake mix, you’ll have a show-stopping dessert in no time.
So, turn up those holiday tunes, grab your mixing bowl, and let the celebration begin!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Poke Cake
Festive Treat: The vibrant red and green gelatin creates a striking holiday-themed pattern in every slice. It’s the perfect centerpiece for all your festivities!
Time-Saver: Thanks to convenient boxed ingredients, you get an impressive holiday dessert without all the work.
Kid-Friendly: Let the kids get in on the fun! From mixing to decorating, this is the perfect holiday recipe for building family memories.
Sweet Sensation: Each bite delivers a delightful combination of moist cake, sweet gelatin ribbons, and creamy whipped topping.
Ingredients
- White Cake Mix: Any store-bought white cake mix works well.
- Eggs, Oil, and Water: These standard cake mix additions create structure and moisture. Follow the package directions for exact amounts.
- Green Lime or Pistachio Gelatin: For the striking green color!
- Red Cherry or Strawberry Gelatin: You can’t have a Christmas cake without red, too!
- Whipped Topping: It creates a light, creamy frosting. Be sure to thaw before using.
- Holiday Sprinkles or Sugar Crystals: What’s a Christmas cake without the sprinkles?! They look so festive and add crunch to the top.
- Vanilla Pudding Mix and Cold Milk: It’s optional but highly recommended. It adds an extra creamy layer of decadence.
How to Make Christmas Poke Cake
Simple yet stunning, this Christmas dessert will become a new family-favorite holiday tradition.
1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions.
2. Bake. Pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake for the recommended time according to package instructions. Cool for 15-20 minutes.
3. Poke. Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large fork, poke holes across the entire cake.
4. Dissolve the gelatin. In two separate bowls, dissolve the red and green gelatins by adding 1 cup of boiling water to each flavor. Stir until dissolved.
5. Pour. Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the other half.
6. Add the pudding (optional). Prepare the vanilla pudding mix with cold milk according to package directions. Spread the pudding evenly over the cake.
7. Chill. Chill for at least 2 hours.
8. Top. Spread the whipped topping over the chilled cake. Decorate with holiday sprinkles.
9. Serve. Slice and serve.
Tips for the Best Christmas Poke Cake
From parties to potlucks, this easy Christmas poke cake is perfect for all your holiday festivities!
With these easy tips, I guarantee everyone will ask for the recipe.
- Clean your poker. As you poke holes, some cake may build up on your wooden spoon or fork. So be sure to clean it as you go.
- Be careful. For perfectly defined colors, be careful not to let the red and green gelatin bleed into each other when pouring.
- Chill overnight. For the best results, chill the cake overnight. This will give the gelatin plenty of time to set.
- Try festive flavors. For an extra flavor twist, add peppermint extract (1/4 teaspoon) to the whipped topping. You can also experiment with different gelatin flavors for unique variations.
How to Store
Attending a holiday festivity? Great news, you can make this cake ahead of time! Simply follow the instructions and refrigerate the cake overnight. Then, slice and serve when you’re ready to party.
To Store: Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the whole unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add the whipped topping just before serving for best results.
Christmas Poke Cake
12
servings25
minutes30
minutes289
This colorful Christmas poke cake is as festive as it gets! Red and green Jello make it colorful, and the frosting on top adds the finishing touch.
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water)
1 box green lime or pistachio gelatin
1 box red cherry or strawberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water (1 cup per gelatin flavor)
1 tub whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
Holiday sprinkles or red and green sugar crystals for garnish
1 box vanilla pudding mix (optional)
2 cups cold milk (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake for the recommended time (usually 25-30 minutes) until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Once cooled, use the end of a wooden spoon or a large fork to poke holes across the entire cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- In two separate bowls, dissolve the red and green gelatins by adding 1 cup of boiling water to each flavor. Stir until each is completely dissolved. Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the other half. Let the gelatin soak into the cake.
- For an extra creamy layer, prepare the vanilla pudding mix with cold milk according to package directions. Spread the pudding evenly over the cake before chilling if desired.
- Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to set the gelatin and enhance the flavor.
- Spread the whipped topping over the chilled cake. Decorate with holiday sprinkles or red and green sugar crystals for a festive touch.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
