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Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe – Easy Holiday Dessert Idea

If you’re looking for a festive dessert that’s easy to make and sure to impress, try this Christmas poke cake! 

Head over to our Christmas recipes for even more holiday inspiration. 

A jello poke cake is a fun and simple way to add extra flavor to a classic cake by “poking” holes in the baked cake and filling them with sweet, colorful fillings. 

Whether you’re serving it at a Christmas party or enjoying it with family, this deliciously moist and vibrant cake is the perfect dessert for the holiday season. 

christmas poke cake

How do you make a Christmas poke cake?

Gather your ingredients:

Make and bake the cake:

Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw to poke evenly spaced holes throughout the cake. Be sure not to poke all the way to the bottom.

To create a festive look, use red and green gelatin or pudding to fill the holes.

Be sure to refrigerate the cake long enough for the filling to set properly. This ensures each bite is creamy and delicious.

Frost with the cool whip topping and decorate with crushed candy canes, red and green sprinkles or seasonal marshmallows.

Poke cakes can be made a day or two in advance. In fact, they often taste better the next day, after the flavors have had time to meld.

christmas poke cake

Try these Christmas poke cake recipes for a festive, flavorful dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for any holiday celebration!

Don’t forget to try our easy cake recipes such as a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting or an old fashioned chocolate cake. Be sure to try these Poke Cake Recipes that will satisfy every sweet tooth!

christmas poke cake

Make the holidays extra sweet with these fun, kid-friendly Christmas treats!

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    Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Baking Pan With Lid / Nonstick Cake Pan With Lid, Rectangle - 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Gray
    Frienda Large Plastic Syringe 4 Pack Measuring Syringe Tools Dispensing Multiple Uses(20 ml)
    Jell-O Lime Gelatin Dessert Mix (6 oz Box)
    Manvscakes | Sprinkles | Christmas sprinkles | Cake sprinkles | Cookie sprinkles | 4 ounce (Red, green, white)
    Jell-O Cherry Gelatin Dessert Mix (6 oz Box)
    Needzo Marshmallow Candy Christmas Packs, Sugar Coated Character Shaped Marshmallows (Pack of 4)
    Product
    9x13 Baking Pan with Lid
    Plastic Syringe
    Lime Jello
    Christmas Sprinkles
    Cherry Jello
    Marshmallow Candy Packs
    $13.08
    $6.99
    $1.78
    $8.99
    $1.78
    $14.88
    Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Baking Pan With Lid / Nonstick Cake Pan With Lid, Rectangle - 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Gray
    Product
    9x13 Baking Pan with Lid
    $13.08
    Frienda Large Plastic Syringe 4 Pack Measuring Syringe Tools Dispensing Multiple Uses(20 ml)
    Product
    Plastic Syringe
    $6.99
    Jell-O Lime Gelatin Dessert Mix (6 oz Box)
    Product
    Lime Jello
    $1.78
    Manvscakes | Sprinkles | Christmas sprinkles | Cake sprinkles | Cookie sprinkles | 4 ounce (Red, green, white)
    Product
    Christmas Sprinkles
    $8.99
    Jell-O Cherry Gelatin Dessert Mix (6 oz Box)
    Product
    Cherry Jello
    $1.78
    Needzo Marshmallow Candy Christmas Packs, Sugar Coated Character Shaped Marshmallows (Pack of 4)
    Product
    Marshmallow Candy Packs
    $14.88

    Does the cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, since the filling and whipped topping require chilling, it’s important to refrigerate the cake for at least a couple of hours, and store any leftovers in the fridge.

    Can I freeze a poke cake? 

    Yes, you can freeze a poke cake, but it’s best to do so without the whipped topping. Add the topping after it has thawed for best results.

    christmas poke cake

    Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

    Yield: 16
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Cooling Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 20 minutes

    Looking for a festive holiday dessert? This Christmas poke cake is easy to make, bursting with seasonal flavors, and guaranteed to impress your guests!

    Ingredients

    • 1 box (15.25 ounce) white cake mix
    • Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box, mine called for 3 egg whites, ½ cup of oil and 1 cup water.
    • 1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles
    • 1 (3 ounce) box cherry gelatin
    • 1 (3 ounce) box lime gelatin
    • 2 cups boiling water
    • 1 cup cold water
    • 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
    • Christmas peeps
    • Christmas Sprinkles for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
    2. Prepare the cake mix according to the box directions and stir in the 1 tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles.
    3. Spray a 9x13 baking dish.
    4. Pour in the cake mix and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  
    5. Cool the cake for 20 minutes.
    6. Meanwhile make the jello.
    7. In a medium mixing bowl combine 1 cup boiling water with cherry jello and stir until dissolved.  
    8. Whisk in ½ cup cold water to the cherry gelatin and set aside.
    9. In a separate bowl repeat the above with the lime jello and set aside. 
    10. Using the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw poke holes all over the cake. 
    11. Spoon the jello in the holes, I like to alternate red in one hole, green in another until they are all filled.
    12. Refrigerate the cake covered for 3-4 hours to set. 
    13. Frost the cake with the whipped topping.
    14. Decorate the cake with more sprinkles and Christmas peeps. 

    Notes

    Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Did you make this recipe?

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