Festive Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe for Holiday Joy

Nestled in holiday traditions, this christmas red velvet poke cake brings warmth to winter gatherings.

Sweet memories flood back with each delectable slice.

Soft crimson layers promise decadent indulgence for festive celebrations.

Creamy textures and rich flavor combinations dance across your palate.

Seasonal comfort wraps around classic dessert techniques with delightful charm.

Unexpected twists make this recipe special for intimate moments.

Explore and savor every magical bite.

Why Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake Is Irresistible

• Festive Holiday Showstopper: Create a stunning dessert that captures the magic of Christmas with its vibrant red color and festive sprinkles, perfect for impressing guests at holiday gatherings.
• Super Simple Preparation: Leverage the convenience of a boxed cake mix and instant pudding to craft an amazing dessert with minimal effort, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Delight both kids and adults with this sweet treat that combines the rich flavor of red velvet cake, creamy pudding, and light whipped topping, ensuring everyone asks for seconds.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare this cake in advance and chill, which not only saves precious time during busy holiday seasons but also allows flavors to meld together beautifully.

Ingredients Needed For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: A classic holiday-themed cake mix that provides the rich, vibrant red color and soft texture of the dessert.

• Instant Pudding Mix: A creamy filling that helps moisten the cake and adds a smooth, sweet layer.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and consistent pudding mixture.

• Whipped Topping: A light and fluffy layer that adds a creamy finish to the cake.
• Christmas Sprinkles: Festive decorations that bring holiday cheer and color to the dessert.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

Step 1: Bake Festive Red Velvet Base

Grab your favorite red velvet cake mix and follow the package directions. Pour the vibrant batter into a rectangular baking pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely at room temperature.

Step 2: Create Delightful Holes

Take the handle end of a wooden spoon and gently poke evenly spaced holes across the entire surface of the cake. Make sure the holes are deep enough to hold the upcoming creamy filling.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Pudding Filling

• Instant vanilla pudding mix
• Cold milk

Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth and starts to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Fill Cake with Pudding Magic

Slowly pour the pudding mixture over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole. Use a spatula to help distribute the pudding evenly across the cake’s surface.

Step 5: Add Fluffy Cloud Topping

Generously spread whipped topping over the entire pudding layer. Use smooth, sweeping motions to create an even, cloud-like covering.

Step 6: Sprinkle Holiday Cheer

Scatter festive Christmas sprinkles across the top of the cake. Choose red, green, and white sprinkles to create a merry and bright appearance.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld. Slice and serve this delightful holiday dessert to your loved ones.

Helpful Tips For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Ensure holes are evenly spaced for consistent pudding distribution throughout the cake.
• Use full-fat milk when preparing pudding mix to achieve a richer, creamier texture.
• Select white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix for a classic flavor that complements red velvet perfectly.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours to allow pudding and whipped topping to set completely, enhancing the cake's moistness.
• Add festive holiday sprinkles just before serving to maintain their vibrant colors and prevent color bleeding into the whipped topping.

Flavor Variations For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Peppermint Delight: Replace Christmas sprinkles with crushed candy canes and add a layer of peppermint-flavored pudding for a festive winter treat.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Swap red velvet cake mix with chocolate cake mix, use chocolate pudding, and top with chocolate shavings for intense cocoa flavor.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix cream cheese into the pudding layer and garnish with white chocolate drizzle for a rich, tangy variation.
• Nutty Holiday Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between layers and on top for added texture and nutty warmth.

Pairing Recommendations For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Pair Festive Cream with Robust Coffee: Serve a strong, freshly brewed espresso or dark roast coffee alongside the cake to balance its sweet, creamy texture and cut through the richness.
• Complement Cake with Chilled Eggnog: Pour a glass of classic holiday eggnog to enhance the Christmas theme, matching the cake's festive red color and providing a complementary creamy flavor profile.
• Elevate with Vanilla Bean Champagne: Select a crisp, slightly sweet vanilla-infused champagne that adds elegance and sparkle, creating a celebratory feel that matches the cake's holiday spirit.
• Match with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Create a delightful winter dessert experience by serving a warm mug of rich peppermint hot chocolate, which echoes the cake's seasonal charm and provides a cozy contrast.

Storage Tips For Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Store the cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut leftover cake into slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer-safe container for easy single-serving access.
• Keep the cake at room temperature for no more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions On Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake

• What makes red velvet cake different from other cakes?

Red velvet cake has a distinctive deep red color and a subtle cocoa flavor, traditionally achieved by combining cocoa powder with buttermilk and vinegar, which creates a unique chemical reaction.

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

Yes, you can create a homemade red velvet cake by mixing flour, cocoa powder, buttermilk, vinegar, and red food coloring. However, using a box mix makes the recipe quicker and easier.

• How do poke cakes get their signature look?

Poke cakes get their distinctive appearance by creating multiple holes in the baked cake and then filling those holes with a liquid or creamy mixture, which adds extra moisture and flavor.

Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas red velvet poke cake brings holiday magic to dessert tables with its rich crimson layers and creamy filling. Spirited cream cheese frosting and delicate holiday sprinkles complete this merry seasonal treat you’ll want to share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water

Pudding and Milk:

• 1 (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 ml) milk

Topping and Garnish:

• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) tub whipped topping, thawed
• Christmas sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Bake the red velvet cake following package directions, ensuring a vibrant crimson color and even texture.
2. Once cooled, systematically create uniform holes across the entire cake surface using the rounded end of a wooden spoon.
3. Whisk instant pudding mix and milk together until achieving a completely smooth, lump-free consistency.
4. Carefully drizzle pudding mixture over the cake, allowing liquid to seep thoroughly into each carefully crafted hole.
5. Gently spread whipped topping across the entire pudding-saturated surface, creating an even, creamy layer.
6. Generously scatter festive Christmas sprinkles over the top, adding colorful holiday-themed decoration.
7. Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and topping to set perfectly.
8. Before serving, remove from refrigerator and slice into elegant squares that showcase the cake’s beautiful layers.

Notes

• Swap boxed mix for homemade red velvet cake to elevate flavor and reduce processed ingredients.
• Create dairy-free version by using coconut milk pudding and almond whipped topping for lactose-sensitive guests.
• Ensure holes are evenly spaced and deep enough to absorb pudding completely for maximum moisture and flavor distribution.
• Add crushed candy canes or white chocolate shavings on top for extra festive Christmas texture and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 247 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg