Easter is all about fun, family, and of course, dessert! If you’re looking for a show-stopping treat that’s easy to make and guaranteed to wow your guests, this Easter Poke Cake is just what you need. With its vibrant pastel colors, soft texture, and the irresistible combination of cake and creamy pudding, it’s a perfect fit for the holiday. It’s so simple to prepare and requires just a few ingredients, but it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The best part? It’s totally customizable to fit your personal taste or Easter theme.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Easter Poke Cake is an absolute crowd-pleaser! Not only does it taste amazing—thanks to the combination of moist cake, sweet pudding, and whipped topping—but it’s also incredibly fun to make. The colorful pudding that seeps into the cake creates a beautiful, layered effect, and you can decorate it however you like. It’s a great dessert for Easter gatherings, potlucks, or just a special treat for the family. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that’s easy to make in advance, giving you more time to enjoy the holiday!
Ingredients
For this cake, you won’t need anything too complicated. Here’s a quick peek at the ingredients:
- Boxed vanilla cake mix (and the ingredients called for on the box)
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Milk
- Cool Whip (or whipped topping)
- Easter-themed sprinkles, candies, or jelly beans for decoration
- Food coloring (optional for that pastel Easter vibe)
For the full list, read below!
Directions
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake
Start by making the vanilla cake according to the instructions on the box. It’s the quick and easy part! Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking dish, and bake it as directed. Once it’s out of the oven, let the cake cool for about 10-15 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Poke the Cake
Using the back of a wooden spoon or a similar utensil, gently poke holes all over the surface of the cake. Be sure to poke deep enough so the pudding can seep into the cake, but don’t go all the way through to the bottom. The holes should be about 1-2 inches apart.
Step 3: Make the Pudding
Prepare the instant vanilla pudding mix according to the instructions on the box, using the required amount of milk. If you want to add some fun Easter colors, divide the pudding into small bowls and add a few drops of different food coloring to each one. This will give your cake a pretty, multi-colored effect when you pour the pudding over the holes.
Step 4: Pour the Pudding Over the Cake
Once your pudding is ready, carefully pour the colored pudding over the cake, making sure it fills all the holes. The pudding will soak into the cake and create that signature “poke cake” texture. Spread it evenly across the top so it covers the entire surface.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Cover the cake with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the pudding to fully set and meld into the cake, giving it that deliciously creamy texture.
Step 6: Top with Whipped Topping
Once the cake has chilled and set, spread a layer of Cool Whip or whipped topping on top. Make sure to cover the cake evenly and smooth it out with a spatula.
Step 7: Decorate for Easter
Now comes the fun part—decorating! You can top your cake with pastel-colored sprinkles, jelly beans, or Easter-themed candies like mini chocolate eggs. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can add a few cute little sugar flowers or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a more festive look.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you let the cake cool completely before poking it. If it’s still warm, the pudding might not set properly.
- You can easily swap out the vanilla pudding for lemon, strawberry, or even chocolate pudding to match your flavor preferences or Easter theme.
- If you don’t want to use food coloring, you can also just leave the pudding as is and let the colorful toppings (like sprinkles and candies) do the decorating for you!
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Fruit Flavored Pudding: Swap out the vanilla pudding for any flavor of instant pudding you like. Lemon, strawberry, or even lime would make for a refreshing twist.
- Layered Effect: For a layered look, you can alternate between different flavors of pudding. Try making a vanilla layer first, then a strawberry or raspberry layer on top.
- Gluten-Free Version: If you need a gluten-free cake, you can easily substitute the boxed cake mix with a gluten-free variety.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Easter Poke Cake is sweet enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of fresh lemonade. Serve it alongside fresh fruit, like strawberries or pineapple, to balance out the sweetness. It’s also the perfect dessert to serve with Easter ham or a light salad at your holiday table.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store your Easter Poke Cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3-4 days. If you need to keep it for longer, you can freeze the cake before adding the whipped topping for up to 1 month. Just thaw in the fridge and top with the whipped cream when you’re ready to serve.
4 FAQs
- Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed cake?
Yes! You can definitely use your favorite homemade vanilla cake recipe if you prefer, just make sure to let it cool completely before poking the holes and adding the pudding. - Can I make this cake the day before Easter?
Absolutely! In fact, this cake gets even better when it sits overnight. Just make sure to refrigerate it and wait to add the whipped topping and decorations until you’re ready to serve. - Can I use something other than Cool Whip?
Yes! You can use homemade whipped cream or any whipped topping you like. If you prefer a lighter topping, try a yogurt-based option or mascarpone. - What if I don’t have a 9×13 pan?
You can make this cake in any baking dish that’s similar in size. Just make sure it’s large enough to hold all the batter and pudding, and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
Conclusion
This Easter Poke Cake is a fun, colorful, and absolutely delicious dessert that will make your Easter celebration even sweeter. It’s so simple to prepare and can be customized in so many ways. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch or just treating your family to something special, this cake is sure to be a hit. Light, creamy, and full of flavor, it’s a dessert everyone will love—don’t be surprised if it disappears fast! So, grab your cake mix, pudding, and sprinkles, and get baking!
Print
Easter Poke Cake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Easter Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Easter Poke Cake is the perfect treat for your spring celebrations! Moist, fluffy cake infused with vibrant Jell-O, topped with a creamy whipped topping and colorful sprinkles, it’s an easy-to-make dessert that everyone will love. This cake not only tastes incredible but also looks stunning on your Easter dessert table!
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box, typically eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 box (3 oz) Jell-O in your choice of flavor (strawberry, lime, or blue raspberry are great options for Easter)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (for decoration, optional)
- 1/4 cup mini marshmallows (optional, for added texture)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box. Prepare the cake according to the package directions, typically by mixing the cake mix with eggs, oil, and water, and then baking it in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Poke the Cake: Once the cake is fully baked and cooled for about 10 minutes, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- Prepare the Jell-O: In a small bowl, dissolve the Jell-O powder in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water and stir to combine.
- Pour Jell-O Over Cake: Slowly pour the Jell-O mixture over the cake, making sure the liquid seeps into the holes. Let the cake absorb the Jell-O for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Add Whipped Topping: Once the cake has chilled and the Jell-O is set, spread a layer of whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Decorate: Add sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or other fun Easter-themed decorations on top to make it festive.
- Serve: Slice and serve chilled, and enjoy your Easter Poke Cake!
Notes
- Flavor Options: Feel free to use any flavor of Jell-O that matches your color scheme or flavor preference. Popular choices for Easter include strawberry, lime, and lemon.
- Make It Ahead: This cake can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Customization: You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the whipped topping or add fresh fruit for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg