Get ready to bring a burst of spring joy to your dessert table with this irresistible Easter Poke Cake! Imagine a pillowy-soft white cake enriched with silky vanilla pudding, topped with fluffy whipped cream and showered in pastel sprinkles or Easter candies. Not only is it a stunner, but it’s also delightfully simple to make. Whether you’re the seasoned holiday baker or inviting the kids into the kitchen, this is the treat that will have everyone swooning at first bite. Easter Poke Cake has everything you want in a holiday dessert: color, festive flair, and creamy, nostalgic goodness in every single slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When it comes to making a truly celebratory Easter Poke Cake, you don’t need fussy ingredients—just a handful of pantry staples and a bit of springtime magic. Each item here plays its part, from the plush base to the joyful toppings, ensuring every bite is as luscious and colorful as the Easter holiday itself.
- White cake mix: The foundation for a perfectly tender, moist cake that couldn’t be easier to prepare.
- Eggs, oil, and water (as box instructs): These combine with the cake mix to create the light, airy texture that’s so satisfying.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix (3 oz): Brings a cool, creamy layer that seeps into every poke, making each bite extra dreamy.
- Cold milk (2 cups): Whisks with the pudding to make it velvety-smooth; make sure it’s very cold for best results.
- Whipped topping (1 cup, plus more for topping): Adds a cloud-like finish that’s perfectly sweet and fun to spread.
- Assorted pastel sprinkles or Easter candies: This is where your creativity shines! Candies and sprinkles create a playful Easter look.
- Food coloring (optional): For a pop of pastel color in your whipped topping, just a drop or two does the trick.
- Nonstick spray: Ensures effortless cake release and easy clean-up—which no one ever complains about.
How to Make Easter Poke Cake
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and giving your 9×13-inch baking dish a good coat of nonstick spray. This is your insurance for no-stick perfection. Mix up your white cake batter just as the box directs (don’t forget the eggs, oil, and water!). Pour it into your pan, level it off, and slide it into the oven. While the cake bakes, take a deep breath and get excited for the magic that’s about to happen!
Step 2: Cool and Poke
Once the cake is baked to golden perfection, let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes—you want it warm, not hot. Now the fun part: with the handle of a wooden spoon (or something similar), gently poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about an inch apart. The more evenly you poke, the better your pudding will fill every bite with flavor.
Step 3: Make the Pudding
Whisk together your instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in a medium bowl. Whisk briskly for about 1–2 minutes, until the pudding is silky and just slightly thickened but still pourable. This is what’s going to transform the texture of your Easter Poke Cake into creamy, layered perfection.
Step 4: Fill With Pudding
Pour the pudding all over the poked cake, making sure to get it into those holes. Use a spatula to gently coax the pudding into every nook and cranny, so that no bite is left behind. Once you’re satisfied, cover and refrigerate the cake for at least an hour. This chill time lets the flavors marry and the texture become lush.
Step 5: Top and Decorate
Spread a generous layer of whipped topping all over the chilled cake. For a festive twist, stir in a drop or two of food coloring to create a swirl of pastel hues. Now for the showstopper: sprinkle pastel confetti or place Easter candies on top for that over-the-top, joyful finish. Your Easter Poke Cake is now ready to dazzle (and disappear)!
How to Serve Easter Poke Cake
Garnishes
Garnishing really turns this cake into an edible centerpiece. Go wild with pastel sprinkles, jelly beans, mini chocolate eggs, or even shredded coconut tinted in soft colors—it’s the perfect way to channel the cheerful spirit of the season. A sprig of mint or a dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant touch that makes each slice look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easter Poke Cake with light, fresh sides to balance the sweetness. Think fresh fruit salad, tangy lemon sorbet, or even a platter of sweet-and-salty snacks like chocolate-covered pretzels. These little extras turn dessert time into a full-fledged celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For extra wow factor, cut the cake into individual squares and serve each on a colorful platter with holiday-themed toppers. Arrange slices in cupcake liners for easy, portable treats at a party. If you want to get fancy, serve layered in clear parfait cups with extra whipped topping and sprinkles—kids and adults alike won’t be able to resist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your Easter Poke Cake has taken center stage, any leftovers will keep beautifully. Just cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container and refrigerate. The cake stays moist and delicious for up to 3 days, making it great for enjoying a sweet snack all week long!
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, you can freeze the undressed cake (before adding pudding and topping) for up to two months. Once thawed, proceed with the pudding and whipped topping for the freshest flavor and texture. Fully assembled slices can be frozen, but the texture of the topping may change slightly after thawing.
Reheating
This cake is meant to be served chilled, so there’s no need to reheat. In fact, the cool and creamy layers are what make Easter Poke Cake so refreshing! If you’ve frozen a slice, just allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While white cake best shows off those pops of pastel color, yellow or even funfetti cake mix work beautifully and add their own unique flavor. Let your taste buds lead the way!
Is it possible to make this cake gluten free?
Yes, you can swap the standard cake mix for your favorite gluten-free cake mix and follow all the same steps. Be sure to check labels on your pudding and toppings, just to play it safe.
Can I make the Easter Poke Cake ahead of time?
Definitely! In fact, making it a day ahead gives the flavors even more time to meld and the pudding to fully soak into the cake. Just keep it chilled and add the toppings right before serving for the freshest look.
What other toppings can I use besides sprinkles and candies?
Feel free to get creative—try shredded coconut, colored sugar, crushed cookies, or even edible glitter for a glammed-up holiday cake. Seasonal berries also make a fresh, tasty finish.
How do I keep the whipped topping from getting watery?
Make sure the cake is fully cooled and the pudding layer has set before you slather on the whipped topping. Keep everything chilled until ready to serve, and cover leftover cake tightly to preserve that fluffy texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for an unforgettable holiday treat that’s as fun to eat as it is to make, look no further than Easter Poke Cake. With its creamy layers and cheerful colors, it brings everyone together for a sweet celebration. Give it a try—your dessert table (and your family) will thank you!
Print
Easter Poke Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easter Poke Cake is a delightful and colorful dessert perfect for spring celebrations. A tender white cake is soaked with vanilla pudding, topped with whipped cream, and adorned with pastel sprinkles or Easter candies.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
For the Pudding Layer:
- 1 package (3 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
For Topping:
- 1 cup whipped topping (plus more for topping)
- Assorted pastel sprinkles or Easter candies
- Food coloring (optional)
- Nonstick spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Bake the Cake: Prepare and bake the cake according to the package instructions. Once baked, let the cake cool for 15 minutes.
- Create Holes: Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Prepare Pudding: In a bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened, then pour it evenly over the cake, using a spatula to help push the pudding into the holes.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Add Topping: Spread whipped topping over the chilled cake, then decorate with pastel sprinkles or Easter candies. Add a few drops of food coloring to the whipped topping if desired for a festive touch.
Notes
- Try using lemon or white chocolate pudding for a flavor twist.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and kept chilled until ready to serve.
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