This Christmas Poke Cake is the perfect festive dessert to bring joy to any holiday gathering. It combines vibrant holiday colors, a moist cake base, and a creamy whipped topping that’s sure to impress. Not only is this cake delicious, but it’s also fun to make, offering a cheerful touch to your holiday celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this Christmas Poke Cake because it’s visually stunning with its bright red and green gelatin colors, making it a perfect centerpiece for a holiday table. The moist cake absorbs the fruity gelatin, creating layers of flavor that are both fun and festive. Topped with fluffy whipped cream and adorned with holiday-themed sprinkles and candy, it’s a dessert that’s as enjoyable to look at as it is to eat.
It’s also simple to prepare—using a store-bought cake mix and gelatin packets makes the process quick, while still delivering a show-stopping treat. The cake can be prepped ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy the holiday festivities without worrying about baking at the last minute.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (like strawberry or cherry)
2 cups boiling water (divided)
1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (like lime)
For the Topping:
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Red and green sprinkles (for garnish)
Optional Decorations:
Crushed candy canes
Holiday-themed candies
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions, adding the required ingredients (usually eggs, oil, and water). Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
Poke the Cake: Once the cake is cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the surface, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Prepare the Gelatin: In two separate bowls, dissolve each gelatin flavor in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the other half. Be sure the gelatin doesn’t mix, and it seeps only into the holes.
Chill the Cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the gelatin to fully set.
Add the Topping: Once the gelatin has set, spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. Garnish with red and green sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or any holiday-themed candies of your choice.
Serve: Slice and serve chilled. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Variations
Flavor Variations: You can switch up the gelatin flavors to suit your preferences. For example, use orange gelatin for a different festive look or try blueberry gelatin for a wintery blue theme.
Whipped Cream Alternative: If you prefer a homemade topping, you can whip up fresh cream and sugar instead of using store-bought whipped topping for an extra creamy texture.
Mini Versions: For smaller servings, bake the cake in a muffin tin or individual ramekins and follow the same steps for poking and adding gelatin.
Storage/Reheating
Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. The cake is best served chilled. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this cake as the gelatin and whipped topping may not maintain their texture after thawing.
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FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of gelatin for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use any color or flavor of gelatin you prefer. Strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry gelatin could all work wonderfully in this recipe, depending on your taste preferences and the colors you want.
Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake can be made ahead. I often prepare it the night before a party, and it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes! You can easily substitute homemade whipped cream for the store-bought whipped topping. Just be sure to whip it to stiff peaks before spreading it over the cake.
Is there a gluten-free version of this cake?
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free white cake mix. Ensure that the gelatin and whipped topping are also gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten.
Can I decorate the cake with other toppings?
Definitely! If you want to get creative, you can add other holiday decorations like mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or even edible glitter to make your cake even more festive.
Conclusion
This Christmas Poke Cake is a delightful dessert that brings both flavor and cheer to any holiday celebration. It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, while still delivering a beautiful, colorful treat. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert or something fun to make with family, this festive cake is sure to become a favorite holiday tradition!
📖 Recipe:
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Christmas Poke Cake
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas Poke Cake is the perfect festive dessert to elevate your holiday gatherings. With vibrant red and green gelatin soaked into a moist white cake and topped with a fluffy whipped cream finish, it’s both visually stunning and delicious. Easy to make with a store-bought cake mix, this dessert is ideal for any celebration. Add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and other holiday decorations for extra charm. The ideal sweet treat to make ahead and impress your guests during the Christmas season!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (like strawberry or cherry)
1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (like lime)
2 cups boiling water (divided)
For the Topping:
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Optional Decorations:
Red and green sprinkles
Crushed candy canes
Holiday-themed candies (e.g., mini marshmallows, chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish. Prepare the white cake mix according to package instructions (add eggs, oil, and water). Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan. - Poke the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the surface, spacing them about 1 inch apart. - Prepare the Gelatin:
In two separate bowls, dissolve each gelatin flavor in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the other half, ensuring the gelatin doesn’t mix. - Chill the Cake:
Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the gelatin to set. - Add the Topping:
Once the gelatin is set, spread the whipped topping evenly over the cake. Garnish with red and green sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and any additional holiday-themed candies. - Serve:
Slice and serve chilled. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Flavor Variations: You can switch the gelatin flavors to match your preference or holiday theme, such as orange or blueberry for different festive looks.
Whipped Cream Alternative: Use homemade whipped cream for an extra creamy texture if you prefer over store-bought whipped topping.
Mini Versions: For individual servings, bake the cake in a muffin tin or ramekins and follow the same steps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 230 kcal
