CHRISTMAS POKE CAKE

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CHRISTMAS POKE CAKE

Christmas Poke Cake is a soft vanilla or white cake thatโ€™s poked and filled with flavored gelatin, then topped with a fluffy whipped topping and festive decorations. Every bite is moist, creamy, and full of holiday cheer.

๐Ÿ“ Ingredients (Serves 12โ€“15)

Cake Base

  • 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
  • Ingredients listed on the cake box (usually eggs, oil, water)

Poke Filling

  • 1 box (85 g / 3 oz) red gelatin (strawberry, cherry, or raspberry)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ยฝ cup cold water

Creamy Topping

  • 1 package (225 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1ยฝ cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
    (or 1 tub whipped topping, if preferred)

Festive Decorations

  • Red & green sprinkles
  • Mini Christmas candies
  • White chocolate shavings
  • Crushed candy canes (optional)

๐Ÿ”ช Preparation

Step 1: Bake the Cake

  1. Preheat oven according to cake box instructions (usually 180ยฐC / 350ยฐF).
  2. Grease a 9ร—13-inch (23ร—33 cm) baking pan.
  3. Prepare cake batter as directed.
  4. Pour batter into pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Remove from oven and allow cake to cool for 10โ€“15 minutes (warm, not hot).

๐Ÿ•ณ๏ธ Poking the Cake

Step 2: Poke Holes

  • Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw.
  • Poke holes evenly over the entire cake, about 2โ€“3 cm apart.
  • Go about ยพ of the way downโ€”not all the way through.

๐Ÿ“ Gelatin Filling

Step 3: Prepare the Gelatin

  1. Dissolve red gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
  2. Add ยฝ cup cold water and stir.
  3. Let cool slightly (still liquid, not set).

Step 4: Fill the Cake

  • Slowly pour gelatin over the cake, making sure it flows into the holes.
  • Spread evenly.
  • Refrigerate cake for 1โ€“2 hours, until gelatin sets.

๐Ÿฆ Creamy Topping

Step 5: Make the Frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix well.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  4. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.

(Shortcut: replace steps 1โ€“4 with ready-made whipped topping)

๐ŸŽ‚ Assemble the Cake

Step 6: Frost

  • Spread frosting evenly over chilled cake.
  • Smooth the top with a spatula.

๐ŸŽ„ Decoration

Step 7: Decorate

  • Sprinkle red & green sprinkles generously.
  • Add crushed candy canes, chocolate curls, or holiday candies.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving & Storage

Serving

  • Slice with a clean knife, wiping between cuts.
  • Serve cold for best texture.

Storage

  • Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Not freezer-friendly once assembled.

๐Ÿ’ก Chef Tips

  • White cake shows the red gelatin best
  • Pour gelatin slowly for even soaking
  • Chill fully before frosting to prevent melting
  • Add green gelatin in a zig-zag pattern for extra Christmas color

๐ŸŒŸ Variations

๐ŸŽ… Red & Green Poke Cake

  • Use half red gelatin, half green gelatin
  • Pour alternately into different holes

๐Ÿซ Chocolate Christmas Poke Cake

  • Use chocolate cake + cherry gelatin
  • Top with chocolate whipped cream

๐Ÿ“ Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake

  • Use strawberry gelatin
  • Add fresh strawberries on top

โ„๏ธ Snowy Version

  • White cake + clear gelatin
  • Coconut flakes on top

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