Description
This festive Christmas Poke Cake combines a moist white cake with vibrant red and green jello poked into it, topped with creamy vanilla pudding and whipped topping, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 (15 oz) box white cake mix
- Ingredients called for on cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, and water)
Jello
- 1 (6 oz) box strawberry jello
- 1 (6 oz) box lime jello
- 2 cups boiling water
Topping
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Red and green sprinkles or decorations
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F or the temperature recommended on the cake mix package. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Mix and bake cake: In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with the required ingredients called for on the package (usually eggs, oil, and water). Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the package directions, about 30 minutes.
- Cool and poke holes: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes. Then, using a fork or the handle end of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly spaced about 1 inch apart across the entire cake surface. Let the cake cool further while preparing the jello.
- Prepare jello: In two separate bowls, dissolve each jello box (strawberry and lime) with 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Add jello to cake: Pour the red and green jello alternately in rows over the cake, ensuring enough jello seeps into the holes. You likely will not need all of the jello. Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for about 15 minutes to set the jello.
- Make pudding topping: Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 cup of milk until thickened. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until combined and creamy.
- Assemble and chill: Spread the pudding and whipped topping mixture evenly over the chilled cake. Return the cake to the fridge and chill for 2 more hours to allow flavors to meld and topping to set.
- Decorate and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle red and green sprinkles or holiday-themed decorations on top. Slice and enjoy your festive Christmas poke cake!
Notes
- You can substitute the white cake mix with a homemade vanilla cake recipe if desired.
- Use any red and green jello flavors for variation or to suit preferences.
- To speed chilling time, place the cake in the freezer for short intervals but avoid freezing completely.
- For a richer topping, use heavy cream whipped instead of store-bought whipped topping.
- This cake tastes best when served within 2 days of preparation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
