The Easiest Easter Poke Cake Recipe That’s Bursting with Joy

Sweet memories dance through my Easter poke cake, a dessert that whispers springtime celebrations.

Pastel colors peek from every delightful layer, inviting you to indulge.

Soft, moist textures blend with creamy goodness that melts on your tongue.

Generations of bakers have perfected this delectable treat, passing down secrets from kitchen to kitchen.

Bursts of fruity flavor create a magical experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Each slice promises a delightful journey of comfort and joy.

We promise this recipe will become your new favorite seasonal dessert.

Why Easter Poke Cake Is So Colorful & Easy

• Colorful Cake Creation: Transform a simple boxed cake into a vibrant, eye-catching dessert perfect for Easter celebrations.
• Kid-Friendly Fun: Engage children in the baking process by letting them mix colors and create beautiful swirled patterns in the cake, turning cooking into a playful family activity.
• Quick Festive Treat: Prepare this stunning dessert in under an hour, making it ideal for last-minute Easter gatherings or spontaneous family baking moments.

Easter Poke Cake Ingredients

• White Cake Mix: Provides the foundation for the Easter-themed dessert, perfect for creating a light and fluffy base.
• Food Coloring (Pastel Shades): Adds festive spring colors to create a marbled effect, choose gel colors for vibrant results.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, sweet moisture throughout the cake, helps enhance the cake's texture.
• Whole Milk: Helps blend the sweetened condensed milk and adds extra moisture.

• Whipped Cream, Cool Whip: Provides a light and airy topping, creates a creamy finish for the cake.
• Marshmallow Peeps, Pastel Sprinkles: Adds festive Easter-themed decoration, brings color and playful touch to the dessert.
• Pastel Easter Candy: Optional decorative element, provides additional color and sweet crunch.

Easter Poke Cake Recipe Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep the Pan

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

Open up your cake mix and follow the package directions for mixing.

Want to make it super festive?

Divide the batter into separate bowls and add pastel food coloring – soft pink, gentle lavender, pale yellow, and light blue work wonderfully for an Easter vibe.

Step 3: Create a Colorful Swirl

Pour the different colored batters into the prepared pan.

Use a knife or spatula to gently swirl the colors together, creating a beautiful marbled effect that looks like spring magic.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for about 28-32 minutes.

Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with no wet batter clinging to it.

Step 5: Cool and Prepare for Decorating

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

This sets the stage for the next exciting decorating steps that will make your Easter cake truly spectacular.

Cake Tips for Easter Poke Style

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant, even pastel shades without changing cake batter consistency.
• Gently drag a knife through colored batters to create beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing.
• Insert toothpick at multiple cake center points to ensure complete baking and prevent raw spots.
• Use parchment paper or heavy grease to prevent cake from sticking, especially with delicate marbled designs.
• Allow cake to cool entirely before adding any toppings or decorations to maintain structural integrity and prevent melting.

Easter Poke Cake That Holds Its Moist Texture

• Store leftover Easter poke cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Allow cake to completely cool before storing to maintain texture and prevent condensation.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.
• Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or enjoy chilled straight from the fridge.

What Goes Well With Easter Poke Cake

• Refreshing Beverage Match: Brew a light lavender lemonade that complements the cake's sweet pastel colors and adds a zesty spring-inspired refreshment.
• Complementary Side Delight: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream topped with candied lemon zest or pastel-colored sprinkles to enhance the festive Easter theme.
• Texture Contrast Companion: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake to create a creamy, cool contrast with the soft cake texture.
• Elegant Drink Pairing: Pour chilled champagne or a sparkling rosé to elevate the dessert experience with a celebratory touch that matches the cake's festive spirit.

Fun Ideas for Easter Poke Cake

• Gluten-Free Spring Celebration Cake: Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free white cake mix, using almond or coconut flour for added texture and ensuring all coloring ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Vegan Pastel Dream Cake: Substitute egg-based cake mix with vegan cake mix, using plant-based milk and egg replacer. Select natural food colorings like beetroot, spinach, and turmeric for pastel hues.
• Low-Sugar Easter Delight: Use sugar-free cake mix and incorporate monk fruit or stevia as sweetener alternatives. Choose sugar-free gelatin or low-sugar pudding for cake filling to reduce overall sugar content.
• Dairy-Free Springtime Treat: Select dairy-free cake mix and replace milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk. Use dairy-free whipped topping and ensure all coloring agents are dairy-free compatible.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need to make the cake colorful?

You’ll need white cake mix, pastel food coloring (pink, blue, green, purple), and separate bowls to mix each colored batter before swirling them together in the pan.

• Can I use homemade cake batter instead of boxed mix?

Yes, you can substitute a homemade white cake batter, just ensure the consistency is similar to boxed mix for best results.

• How do I create the marbled effect in the cake?

Divide the cake batter into 4 bowls, add different pastel colors to each, then gently pour and swirl the colored batters in the baking pan to create a marbled look.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?

Absolutely! This Easter poke cake uses a boxed cake mix and simple food coloring technique, making it an easy and fun baking project for bakers of all skill levels.

Easter Poke Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy Easter Poke Cake delights with pastel-colored marshmallow layers and sweet cream cheese filling, creating a festive springtime dessert. Guests will savor each delectable bite of this whimsical holiday treat that brings joy to any celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
• Eggs (as specified on cake mix box)
• Vegetable oil (as specified on cake mix box)
• Water (as specified on cake mix box)

Flavor and Color Ingredients:

• 1 box (3.4 ounces/96 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, blue optional)

Topping and Decoration Ingredients:

• 1 container (8 ounces/226 grams) whipped topping, thawed
• 1/2 cup pastel sprinkles
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate eggs or jelly beans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a gentle 350°F (175°C) and delicately coat a spacious 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light layer of grease.
2. Craft the cake foundation following the package’s precise guidelines, ensuring a smooth and consistent mixture.
3. For a festive marbled effect, portion the batter into four separate receptacles and infuse each with a unique pastel hue using food coloring.
4. Artfully swirl the tinted batters together within the prepared pan, creating a mesmerizing pattern of soft, intermingling colors.
5. Transfer the decorated pan to the preheated oven and bake according to package recommendations, typically 28–32 minutes.
6. Validate the cake’s readiness by inserting a slender toothpick into the center – it should emerge pristine and unblemished, signaling perfect doneness.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding with any additional decorative or filling steps.

Notes

• Cool the cake completely before poking to prevent cracking and ensure clean holes for filling.
• Use the back of a wooden spoon or a thick straw to create uniform, evenly spaced holes throughout the cake.
• Choose light-colored pudding mixes like vanilla or white chocolate to maintain the pastel Easter theme and allow food coloring to shine through.
• Customize the cake by using gluten-free cake mix or dairy-free pudding for guests with dietary restrictions, making it an inclusive holiday dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg