If you are looking for a festive, fun, and delightfully colorful dessert to brighten up your holiday table, this Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is an absolute must-try. It combines a moist white cake with vibrant pockets of cherry and lime gelatin that create a playful surprise in every bite. Topped with fluffy whipped topping, cheerful Christmas sprinkles, and adorable holiday Peeps, this cake is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visual celebration perfect for sharing with family and friends during the season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Christmas Poke Cake Recipe are wonderfully straightforward, yet each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color. From the fluffy white cake base to the bright gelatin layers and creamy topping, these essentials come together to make holiday magic in every slice.
- White cake mix (15.25 oz box): Provides a soft, tender cake that acts as the perfect canvas for the jiggly gelatin pockets.
- Christmas sprinkles (1 tablespoon + extra for garnish): Adds cheerful, colorful specks to the batter and a crunchy festive finish on top.
- Cherry gelatin (3 oz box): Creates bright red pockets of sweet, fruity flavor that complement the cake beautifully.
- Lime gelatin (3 oz box): Offers a zesty green contrast to the cherry, making the poke pattern vibrant and fun.
- Boiling water (2 cups): Used to dissolve the gelatin, ensuring a smooth, flavorful filling.
- Cold water (1 cup): Helps the gelatin set perfectly with the right consistency.
- Whipped topping (8 oz container, thawed): Adds a fluffy, creamy layer that balances the zestiness of the jello with sweet, light richness.
- Christmas Peeps: Brings a playful, whimsical decoration that is sure to delight kids and adults alike.
How to Make Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. This ensures that your cake gets a perfect rise and even baking. While the oven warms up, prepare the white cake mix as directed on the box. Don’t forget to stir in a tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles into the batter – this little addition brings a festive pop of color throughout the cake itself. Spray a 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking, pour in your batter, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Once done, allow the cake to cool for about 20 minutes before the next steps.
Step 2: Make the Cherry and Lime Gelatin
While the cake cools, prepare your gelatin mixtures. In a medium bowl, dissolve the cherry gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring well until fully dissolved. Add ½ cup of cold water to the cherry gelatin and set it aside to cool. Repeat the exact process separately for the lime gelatin. Having these two beautiful colors ready gives the cake its signature look and taste.
Step 3: Poke Holes and Fill with Gelatin
Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw, poke holes all over the warm cake. These holes are key to creating bursts of cherry and lime flavor inside. Alternate spooning the cherry and lime gelatin into each hole — this colorful pattern not only looks amazing but also provides a delicious gel-filled surprise in every mouthful. Once your cake is filled, cover it and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the gelatin to set fully within the cake.
Step 4: Frost and Decorate the Cake
Once the gelatin has set, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly across the entire surface of the cake. This smooth, creamy layer contrasts beautifully with the colorful jello beneath. Finish by sprinkling on extra Christmas sprinkles and placing festive Christmas Peeps across the top for a charming, whimsical touch. Now your Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is ready to wow everyone at your holiday gathering!
How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For serving, the combination of additional Christmas sprinkles and the bright Peeps on top provides the perfect festive vibe. You can also add fresh mint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant snowy effect. These finishing touches make the cake feel even more special and celebratory.
Side Dishes
This Christmas Poke Cake Recipe pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides like a citrus fruit salad or a simple bowl of mixed berries. They help balance the sweetness of the cake while complementing its fruity gelatin layers. A cup of silky hot cocoa or spiced tea also brings out the warmth and joy of the holiday season alongside this dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
To elevate your presentation, serve this cake on a festive platter dusted with edible glitter or a bed of holly leaves. You can also slice the cake into small squares for individual servings, placing each piece on a mini dessert plate with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of more Christmas sprinkles. It’s perfect for parties or gift-giving during the holidays!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This poke cake keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap to preserve its moisture and keep the whipped topping fresh. The gelatin pockets will maintain their delightful texture, so each slice remains just as tasty as the first.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It’s best to freeze it without the whipped topping, as that can alter in texture after thawing. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh whipped topping before serving for the best experience.
Reheating
Since this cake features gelatin, reheating is not recommended; it’s best served chilled. Keeping it cold ensures that the colorful jello pockets stay set and the whipped topping remains creamy and smooth. Just pull it out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off slightly if you prefer.
FAQs
Can I use other flavors of gelatin for this Christmas Poke Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different combinations like strawberry, blueberry, or even orange to suit your preference. Just choose contrasting colors to keep the festive look vibrant and fun.
Can I make this cake from scratch instead of using a boxed mix?
Yes, a homemade white cake recipe works beautifully too! Just be sure your cake has a moist and tender crumb so the gelatin can soak in nicely without drying it out.
How long should I soak the gelatin before adding it to the cake holes?
After dissolving the gelatin in hot water and mixing in the cold water, you just need to let it cool slightly until lukewarm. It should still be pourable but not hot enough to melt the cake. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes.
Can I use real whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping?
Definitely! Freshly whipped cream adds a rich, homemade touch that pairs beautifully with this Christmas Poke Cake Recipe. Just whip it to soft peaks and spread gently over the set gelatin.
What is the best way to poke holes evenly in the cake?
Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw makes it easy to distribute holes evenly across the cake’s surface. Aim for about 1-2 inch intervals to ensure every slice gets a good amount of jello-filled pockets.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Poke Cake Recipe truly captures the spirit of the holiday with its joyful colors and deliciously playful texture. It’s a wonderful way to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try this cake, it will become a beloved tradition you’ll want to make every year. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and let this delightful dessert bring extra magic to your Christmas celebrations!
Print
Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Poke Cake combines a moist white cake with colorful cherry and lime gelatin poked into holes for a vibrant, jiggly effect. Topped with fluffy whipped topping, Christmas sprinkles, and cute Christmas Peeps, this dessert is perfect for holiday celebrations and serves 16 slices.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles
- Non-stick spray for baking dish
Gelatin
- 1 box (3 oz) cherry gelatin
- 1 box (3 oz) lime gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water (divided)
- 1 cup cold water (divided)
Topping and Garnish
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
- Additional Christmas sprinkles, for garnish
- Christmas Peeps, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare the cake batter: Follow the directions on the white cake mix box and stir in 1 tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles to add festive color.
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare cherry gelatin: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup boiling water with the cherry gelatin mix and stir until fully dissolved, then whisk in ½ cup cold water. Set aside.
- Prepare lime gelatin: Repeat the same process in another bowl with lime gelatin—dissolve in 1 cup boiling water and whisk in ½ cup cold water. Set aside.
- Poke holes in the cake: Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw, poke holes all over the cooled cake about 1 inch apart.
- Fill holes with gelatin: Spoon the cherry and lime gelatin into the holes alternately, placing red gelatin in one hole and green in the next until all holes are filled.
- Refrigerate the cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate for 3-4 hours to allow the gelatin to set into the cake.
- Frost the cake: Once set, spread the whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Decorate: Garnish the frosted cake with additional Christmas sprinkles and place Christmas Peeps on top for a festive look.
- Serve: Cut into 16 slices and serve chilled for a colorful and festive holiday dessert.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can use fresh whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping for a creamier texture.
- The gelatin colors can be swapped for other flavors/colors to match your holiday theme.
- Make sure to refrigerate the cake long enough for the gelatin to fully set to avoid runny gelatin in the cake.
- Use different shaped straws or spoons to create varied hole sizes for a fun texture.
- This cake is best served chilled and within 2 days of preparation for freshness.
