Christmas Poke Cake
Christmas Poke Cake recipe is the easy, delicious, festive cake that everyone will love! White cake mix, green and red Jell-o and whipped cream make up this adorable cake! It gets topped with holiday sprinkles & marshmallows. Kids will love to help decorate this holiday Cake!
Hey there, fellow dessert lovers and Wishes and Dishes holiday enthusiasts! I’m in full-on Christmas mode right now and feel like there is so much to do and so little time before Christmas day. I have Christmas dessert recipes on the brain. Do we all care mostly about the baking? You will love this Christmas Poke Cake.
Are you ready for a Christmas dessert that’s as easy to make as it is festive and delicious? Well, buckle up because I’m about to introduce you to the magical, the legendary, the not-so-traditional-but-completely-delightful Christmas Poke Cake!
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Poke cake? What in the world is that?” Well, friends, it’s the dessert equivalent of a holiday miracle. You poke a cake. Yes, you read that right. You literally take a cake, poke holes in it, and then pour something amazing into those holes. It’s like giving your cake a spa treatment and letting it soak up all the deliciousness.
I normally use the handle of a wooden spoon to make the holes in the cake but you can use anything you have on hand – even a straw!
Why This Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is a Must-Make This Christmas:
- It’s super easy: We all know the holidays can be a little overwhelming, but this cake is quick and simple. Plus, you’ll look like a baking genius (even if you don’t bake all that often).
- It’s festive: The Jell-o colors and whipped topping make this cake look all holiday fancy.
- It’s crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters won’t be able to resist this sugary, poke-filled goodness. You’ll have everyone saying, “How did you make that?!” I guarantee it.
- It’s a conversation starter: Honestly, when you tell people you’re making a poke cake, they’re going to have a million questions. “Poke what?” I totally get why. You get to explain how your cake’s getting all fancy for the holidays. Who doesn’t love a little spiffing up in their baking?
So there you have it, my little elves – the ultimate Christmas Poke Cake recipe! It’s easy to pull together (much like my Christmas Cookie Lush with its gorgeous layers), festive, and just downright delicious. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just bringing a dessert to a family gathering or potluck, this cake will steal the show (and probably become a holiday tradition for years to come).
And hey, if you happen to get a little too excited and poke the cake a few extra times, don’t worry. Christmas is all about being a little extra of everything. Serve this cake with some of this Whipped Hot Chocolate and you literally have it all.
Happy baking, and may your Christmas be filled with joy, laughter, and sugar.
A Few More Tips & Tricks (Because I am All About Making Things Easy)
- If you’re in a rush, you can make the cake the night before, so all you have to do on the big day is top it off with the whipped topping and serve.
- Want to switch up the Jello flavor? Use whatever colors you want to depending on what you’re going or and which holiday you’re celebrating.
- You can even add some festive touches like crushed candy canes, colorful M&Ms, or chocolate shavings. The more festive, the better!
More Christmas recipes for you to check out:
Hot Chocolate Coffee Rum Cake – you don’t taste the rum, but it gives it a very rich flavor!
Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake another one that is totally holiday appropriate.
Snowy North Pole Cupcakes – these cupcakes will give you that extra Christmas spirit.
Sugar Cream Pie – one of my personal favorites! The filling is silky and rich – perfect for any occasion.
Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars – the easiest way to make sugar cookies! You won’t need to roll or cut-out!
Swig Sugar Cookies – these are so much easier than cut-out cookies for the holidays with a sweet, delicious frosting and sprinkles!
Christmas Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- Water, vegetable/canola oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
- 1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles
- 1 3 ounce box cherry gelatin
- 1 3 ounce box lime gelatin
- 2 cups boiling hot water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 container 8 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
- Christmas peeps optional
- Extra Christmas Sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the box directions and stir in the 1 tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles.
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour in the cake mix and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Check at 30.
- Cool the cake for at least 20 minutes.
- Make the jell-o in the meantime.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine 1 cup boiling water with cherry jell-o and stir until dissolved.
- Whisk in ½ cup cold water to the cherry gelatin and set aside.
- In a separate bowl repeat the above with the lime jell-o and set aside.
- Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw poke holes all over the cake.
- Spoon the jell-o in the holes, I like to alternate red in one hole, green in another until they are all filled.
- Refrigerate the cake covered for about 3-4 hours to set.
- Frost the cake with the whipped topping.
- Decorate the cake with more sprinkles and Christmas peeps, as desired.
- Enjoy!
- Refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days because of whipped topping. Strawberry or cherry jell-o will work for the red coloring. I like to either spoon in the jell-o or use a little food syringe to get the jello into the holes evenly. You can make your whipped topping from scratch or even use a white buttercream frosting if you prefer.
