Description
Festive Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake merges holiday cheer with sweet indulgence, blending tart cranberry glaze and creamy white cake. Delightful dessert promises to enchant guests with its merry flavors and festive spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
Cranberry Layer:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
Topping:
- 1 container (8 ounces / 227 grams) whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and green sprinkles, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×13-inch pan with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine cake mix, eggs, water, and oil in a mixing bowl. Blend until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center.
- Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes, ensuring it’s not too hot for the next step.
- Create the cranberry sauce by combining cranberry sauce, water, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium temperature, stirring until ingredients blend completely.
- Use a wooden spoon handle or straw to create generous holes across the cake surface, spacing them approximately one inch apart.
- Carefully pour the warm cranberry mixture over the cake, ensuring it penetrates the holes thoroughly. Some sauce may remain on top, which adds to the cake’s visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the cake for minimum 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and set completely.
- Prepare the whipped topping by mixing with vanilla extract until well combined.
- Spread the whipped topping evenly across the chilled cake, using a hot water-dipped spatula for a smooth finish.
- Decorate with red and green sprinkles for a festive presentation.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled, enjoying the vibrant holiday dessert.
Notes
- Cooling is crucial for even sauce absorption, preventing runny mess and ensuring the cake soaks up the delicious cranberry mixture.
- Create larger holes using a wooden spoon handle or straw to maximize flavor penetration and achieve a more moist, flavorful dessert.
- Blend cranberry sauce beforehand for a smoother, more uniform texture that spreads evenly across the cake’s surface.
- Chill the cake thoroughly to allow flavors to meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg