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Indulge in the magic of the season with this Christmas Poke Cake. A festive array of flavors that will dance on your taste buds! Unwrap the joy of this easy to make recipe. Get ready to experience this poke cake and all of its holiday delight as you celebrate this Christmas season!
This easy Christmas Poke Cake starts with a box red velvet cake mix, and you up the flavor and creamy texture by making it a poke cake. Then you can finish off the decorations to make it a perfect Christmas cake for your holiday party. Who invented the poke cake? Find out more here.
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What We Love About This Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe
This is such an easy recipe to make for the holiday season. You take a traditional poke cake and make it a festive dessert. It will be a huge hit at all your holiday parties. Everyone will want to know this easy Christmas cake recipe!
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge for this delicious dessert recipe.
- Family Favorite: Not so much for the younger crowd, however great for adult get-togethers. You will get rave reviews and you’ll get asked to make it again next time.
- Adaptable: Can make the holiday poke cake using a low-calorie box mix or, dairy free, etc.
- Makes Great Gifts: A real crowd-pleaser to bring to a holiday party or as a surprise hostess gift for Christmas Eve, or any time during the Christmas season. Add your favorite Christmas sprinkles and it is sure to make anyone you’re gifting it to happy.
Serve it with Christmas Hot Chocolate for a special holiday treat.
Ingredient Notes for this Colorful Cake
- Boxed cake mix: One box of your favorite cake mix. Red velvet box cake mix or white or vanilla cake mix can be dyed red to be festive
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is what gives that creaminess to the cake
- White Chocolate Chips: Or chocolate melts
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Homemade cream frosting or store bought
- Christmas Sprinkles: Any kind to match your theme for a Merry Christmas
- White Chocolate Curls: Decorations for the top of the baked cake
Equipment Needed for the Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake
- KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls
- OCTAVO 5 Speed Hand Mixer Electric
- Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick 9 x 13-Inch Oblong 2 Cake Pan Multipack
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to Make Christmas Poke Cake
These are the basic steps for making condensed milk poke cake. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions, nutrition information and total time.
STEP 1: PREP
First, preheat the oven and prepare your baking pan. Make the cake batter in a large bowl following the directions on the package, and then bake.
STEP 2: POKE
Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate chips and combine with the sweetened condensed milk. Once the cake has cooled, poke holes with handle end of a wooden spoon in rows.
STEP 3: POUR
Then pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the cake and push gently into the holes. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill the cake and let it set.
STEP 4: DECORATE
Finally, after the cake has chilled for thirty minutes, top the cake with cream cheese frosting and decorate with your favorite Christmas sprinkles and chocolate curls.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
While you can make the cake a day or so ahead of time, ideally you do not want to make it too far in advance as the moisture of the cake will break it down over time.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store in the refrigerator for several days in an airtight contianer or wrapped well in plastic wrap.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freeze this cake unfrosted in the freezer wrapped well in plastic wrap or foil, or in an airtight container. It will maintain its texture for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Christmas Poke Cake
You can use a sugar free cake mix and sugar free chocolate chips.
Use the back of a round wooden spoon and keep the holes about one inch apart. This will be ideal for the poke cake.
There are several methods. Try using a vegetable peeler on the side of a chocolate bar or you can melt chocolate and spread it on the back of a baking tray and then place in the freezer for several minutes and then use a spatula to curl the chocolate.
Too much of a good thing can make this cake too moist. Make sure the holes aren’t too close together or too far apart—if they’re too close together, your cake could be too moist; if they’re too far apart, there may not be enough filling throughout the cake.
Don’t get rid of leftover cake! Wrap the poke cake tightly and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat it again. You can keep this delicious Christmas poke cake in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Typically you should poke the holes in the cake when it is still a little warm. It is not suggested to wait to poke the holes until the cake is completely cool.
Expert Tips for Making This Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe
- Add Sprinkles: Add more sprinkles to the cake batter before you bake it. You can make it festive using red and green sprinkles.
- Jell-o: Use red gelatin, pudding mix such as a white chocolate pudding, or green jello (Lime Jello) in place of the sweetened condensed milk.
- Festive Candies: Top with candy cane bits or other holiday candies.
- Alternate ingredient: Replace the cream cheese frosting with whipped topping or cool whip for a lighter taste. You can even color it festive Christmas colors.
- Dietary consideration tip: Low sugar or sugar free versions of the ingredients can be great in this recipe.
What to Serve with Christmas Poke Cake
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Christmas Poke Cake
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce Red Velvet Cake mix , prepared as directed
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup white chocolate chips , melted
- 16 ounces cream cheese icing , can or homemade
- ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons white chocolate curls
Instructions
- Prepare the red velvet cake mix according to the package and bake in a 13×9 pan.
- Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted.
- Once the chocolate is completely melted, combine with the condensed milk stirring until completely combined and smooth.
- Once the cake has cooled, poke holes with the handle of a wooden spoon in rows.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the cake and push gently into the holes.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
- After the cake chills for 30 minutes, top with cream cheese frosting and return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Add Sprinkles: Add more sprinkles to the cake batter before you bake it.
- Jello: Use red gelatin, pudding mix such as a white chocolate pudding, or Lime Jello in place of the sweetened condensed milk.
- Festive Candies: Top with candy cane bits or other holiday candies.
- Alternate ingredient: Replace the cream cheese frosting with whipped topping or cool whip for a lighter taste. You can even color it festive Christmas colors.
- Dietary consideration tip: Low sugar or sugar free versions of the ingredients can be great in this recipe.