There’s something about a Christmas Poke Cake that never fails to make the holidays extra festive. Imagine a tender white cake marbled with cheerful streaks of red and green gelatin, crowned generously with fluffy whipped topping and finished off with sparkling sprinkles or a flurry of crushed peppermint. This showstopping dessert is delightfully simple to pull together, yet makes such a stunning centerpiece on the dessert table. Whether you’re looking for a playful treat to make with kids or a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this bright and merry cake is ready to bring big smiles to your holiday gathering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Christmas Poke Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this festive dessert lies in its straightforward, familiar ingredients—each one contributes to an irresistibly fun texture or a pop of holiday color. Every bite of the Christmas Poke Cake feels like a celebration, thanks to these clever essentials:

White cake mix: The perfect blank canvas, this keeps the cake light, fluffy, and brilliantly showcases the red and green gelatin ribbons.
Egg whites, oil, and water: These ingredients are typically needed to bring your box cake mix to life; check your package for exact amounts.
Red gelatin (strawberry or cherry): Infuses the sweetest red color and a fruity burst in every delicious layer.
Green gelatin (lime): Brings the holiday cheer and zesty flavor, paired with a bold green hue.
Boiling and cold water: Used to dissolve and bloom the gelatin, ensuring it soaks beautifully into each poke hole of the cake.
Whipped topping: Thawed and fluffy, this gives the cake its creamy, snowy finish without any fuss.
Holiday sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies: These are the finishing touch—add sparkle, crunch, and color for irresistible holiday flair.

How to Make Christmas Poke Cake

Step 1: Bake the White Cake

Start by preparing your white cake mix according to the directions on the box, using the egg whites, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake as directed. Once out of the oven, let the cake cool for about 15 minutes—just enough so it’s warm but not piping hot. This step anchors your Christmas Poke Cake and sets the stage for all the festive color to come.

Step 2: Poke the Cake

Take the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw and poke holes all over the top of the cake, spacing them roughly an inch apart. Go deep, but don’t poke straight through to the bottom. These little wells are what will catch and hold all the vibrant red and green gelatin, giving your Christmas Poke Cake its signature stripes when you slice into it.

Step 3: Make the Gelatin

In two separate bowls, dissolve the red and green gelatin packets with 1 cup of boiling water each, stirring until fully dissolved. To each bowl, add 1/2 cup of cold water. For an even more dramatic presentation, add a few drops of food coloring to make the shades even bolder—nothing says holiday like those striking candy-cane colors!

Step 4: Fill the Holes with Color

Carefully pour or spoon the red gelatin into half of the holes and the green into the remaining half, alternating as you go for that signature holiday pattern. It’s totally fine if some colors blend a little—the contrast will look beautiful once the cake is sliced. Pop your poke cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the gelatin set fully.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

Once the gelatin is set and the cake is well chilled, top with an even layer of thawed whipped topping, spreading it right to the edges. Let your creativity shine by scattering holiday sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies on top. The result is as fun to look at as it is to eat—your Christmas Poke Cake truly looks like a party on a platter.

How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake

Garnishes

The best part of serving this cake is piling on the cheerful toppings. Classic holiday sprinkles add sparkle, while crushed peppermint candies bring a crunch and that classic wintery zing. For a show-stopping effect, you could even add white chocolate curls or mini candy canes—whatever spreads the most holiday joy.

Side Dishes

This cake is lively and sweet, so pair it with something a little lighter like hot tea or mulled cider. If you’re serving a full dessert spread, fresh fruit—especially red and green grapes or strawberries and kiwi—will carry out the Christmas theme while balancing the gelatin’s sweetness. Simple, crunchy cookies also make a cozy companion.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Christmas Poke Cake directly from the pan for an easy, crowd-friendly approach, or cut it into festive shapes (trees, stars, or ornaments) with cookie cutters for extra fun. For individual servings, scoop slices into mason jars and layer with extra whipped topping for a whimsical parfait. No matter how you serve it, this cake’s playful colors will steal the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas Poke Cake should be covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays moist and flavorful for up to three days, making it perfect for snacking or quick holiday desserts anytime the craving hits.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze the cake, do so before adding the whipped topping and garnishes. Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, label, and store for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then add toppings and sprinkles just before serving for peak freshness and flair.

Reheating

Christmas Poke Cake is delicious served cold straight from the fridge, so there’s no reheating required. In fact, chilling is key to keeping those vivid red and green stripes picture-perfect! If you prefer a softer texture, let a slice stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes before digging in.

FAQs

Can I make this cake from scratch instead of using a mix?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade white cake recipe, simply bake it in a 9×13-inch pan and proceed with the same poking and gelatin steps. The homemade touch will make your Christmas Poke Cake feel even more special.

Can I use different flavors or colors of gelatin?

Yes, you can get creative with the flavors—feel free to try raspberry, blueberry, or orange gelatins, adjusting your color palette and flavors for different holidays or personal preferences. For Christmas, the classic red and green give the most festive look.

How do I prevent the colors from mixing together?

The trick is to pour the gelatin slowly and target individual holes, alternating colors as you go. Don’t stress too much if a little blending happens, though! The marbled effect adds to the playful charm of your Christmas Poke Cake.

Can I make Christmas Poke Cake ahead of time?

Definitely—the cake actually gets better after chilling for a few hours or even overnight. It allows the flavors to meld and makes your holiday prep easier, too. Just add the whipped topping and decorations right before serving for the freshest look.

Is this Christmas Poke Cake gluten free?

Traditional boxed white cake mix typically contains gluten, but you can substitute a gluten-free white cake mix and follow the rest of the recipe as written. Always double-check your ingredient labels to accommodate dietary needs.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that brings people together and makes the whole table light up with excitement, this Christmas Poke Cake is it. Give it a try this holiday season—you’ll love how easy it is to make, how festive it looks, and how much joy it delivers with every slice!

Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the festive spirit with this delightful Christmas Poke Cake. A white cake, infused with colorful gelatin and topped with whipped cream, makes for a visually stunning and delicious holiday dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, typically egg whites, oil, and water)

For the Gelatin:

1 (3 oz) box red gelatin (strawberry or cherry)
1 (3 oz) box green gelatin (lime)
2 cups boiling water (divided)
1 cup cold water (divided)

For Topping:

1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping, thawed
holiday sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the White Cake: Follow the instructions on the package to make the white cake in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake and let cool for 15 minutes.
Poke Holes: Use a wooden spoon handle or straw to poke holes all over the cake’s surface, about 1 inch apart.
Prepare Gelatin: Dissolve red and green gelatin in separate bowls with boiling water, then add cold water to each.
Add Gelatin: Spoon or pour red gelatin into half the holes and green gelatin into the remaining holes.
Chill: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to set the gelatin.
Add Topping: Spread whipped topping over the cake and decorate with sprinkles or crushed candies.
Serve: Keep refrigerated until serving.