Description
This festive Christmas Poke Cake is a delightful holiday dessert featuring a fluffy white cake infused with vibrant red and green gelatin layers. Topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and holiday-themed candies, this colorful treat is perfect for celebrating the season with a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
Gelatin Layers
- 1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (strawberry or cherry flavor)
- 1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (lime flavor)
- 2 cups boiling water (divided)
Toppings
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- Red and green sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Holiday-themed candies (e.g., mini marshmallows, chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake batter: Follow the instructions on the white cake mix box to prepare the batter, including the necessary eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Bake the cake: Bake the cake according to the package instructions, usually about 25-30 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Prepare the red gelatin: Dissolve the red gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well until fully dissolved and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the green gelatin: In a separate bowl, dissolve the green gelatin powder in the remaining 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until dissolved and let it cool slightly as well.
- Poke the cake: Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a similar tool, poke holes evenly all over the cooled cake, about 1 inch apart, ensuring the holes go deep into the cake but not through the bottom.
- Add gelatin layers: Slowly pour the red gelatin over half of the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. Then pour the green gelatin over the other half of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour, allowing the gelatin to set.
- Add the whipped topping: Once the gelatin has set, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire cake surface.
- Decorate the cake: Sprinkle red and green sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and holiday-themed candies like mini marshmallows and chocolate chips over the whipped topping for a festive look.
- Serve: Chill the cake for an additional 30 minutes if desired before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy this colorful and festive Christmas dessert!
Notes
- Use fresh boiling water for dissolving gelatin to ensure proper setting.
- Make sure the cake is fully cooled before poking and adding gelatin to prevent melting the gelatin.
- For a more intense flavor, you can increase the amount of gelatin slightly or add flavored extracts to the whipped topping.
- This cake is best served within 2-3 days of preparation for optimal taste and texture.
