Description

This festive Holiday-Inspired Poke Cake is a delightful dessert featuring moist white cake punctuated with vibrant red and green gelatin filling. Perfect for celebrations, this easy-to-make cake is topped with whipped cream and garnished with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes, bringing a colorful and flavorful treat to your holiday table.

Ingredients

Cake

1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Gelatin Filling

1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (e.g., cherry or strawberry)
1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (e.g., lime)
2 cups boiling water (1 cup per gelatin flavor)

Topping and Garnish

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed
Holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or other festive decorations

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Instructions

Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions, adding the optional vanilla extract if desired. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
Poke the Cake: Once cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the surface of the cake. This will allow the gelatin to seep inside for a colorful, flavorful surprise.
Prepare Gelatin Filling: In two separate bowls, dissolve the red and green gelatin powders each in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well until fully dissolved.
Fill the Holes: Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green gelatin into the remaining holes, distributing the colors evenly across the cake surface.
Chill the Cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to let the gelatin fillings set firmly inside the cake.
Add Topping: After the gelatin has set, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire cake surface.
Garnish and Serve: Decorate the cake with holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or other festive decorations of your choice. Slice and serve the cake chilled for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Ensure the cake is completely cooled before poking holes to prevent the cake from crumbling.
You can substitute the white cake mix with yellow cake mix if preferred.
For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the gelatin mixtures.
Use a toothpick or skewer to poke holes evenly for the best visual effect when the gelatin sets.
Keep the cake refrigerated until serving to maintain the gelatin texture and whipped topping freshness.