This festive Easter Poke Cake is a showstopper that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact! With a beautiful marbled interior of spring colors, creamy pudding-filled pockets, and a cloud-like topping, this cake is perfect for your Easter celebrations or any springtime gathering. The vibrant colors and delicious vanilla flavor will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Eye-Catching Appearance: The marbled pastel colors inside create a stunning slice that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake actually tastes better after it sits for a while, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations.
- Customizable: You can easily swap colors and flavors to match any season or celebration throughout the year.
- Kid-Friendly: Little ones love the bright colors and helping with the sprinkles — it’s a treat that gets everyone excited!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Vanilla Cake Mix: The base of our creation that provides a perfect canvas for our colorful masterpiece. Betty Crocker French Vanilla adds a richer flavor than regular vanilla.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake. Make sure they’re at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- Water: Hydrates the dry ingredients and creates the right consistency in the batter.
- Vegetable Oil: Creates a moist cake with a tender crumb that stays fresh longer than butter-based cakes.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding: The magic that soaks into the poked holes, creating pockets of creamy goodness throughout the cake.
- Milk: When mixed with the pudding, it creates the perfect consistency for seeping into the cake holes.
- Cool Whip: Provides a light, fluffy topping that doesn’t compete with the flavorful cake beneath it. It also holds its shape better than fresh whipped cream.
- Neon Food Coloring: Creates those beautiful spring colors that make this cake special. McCormick’s neon colors are particularly vibrant.
- Easter Sprinkles: The finishing touch that transforms this into a true celebration cake.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
- Different Flavors: Try strawberry cake mix with strawberry pudding or chocolate cake with chocolate pudding for a different taste experience.
- Seasonal Colors: Use red and blue for July 4th, orange and black for Halloween, or red and green for Christmas.
- Fruit Addition: Layer fresh berries between the cake and Cool Whip for a fruity twist.
- Pudding Varieties: Experiment with different pudding flavors like cheesecake, coconut, or lemon for unique flavor combinations.
How to Make Easter Poke Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Colorful Batters
Mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a large bowl until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between three separate bowls. Add different neon food coloring to each bowl—pink in one, purple in another, and green in the third. Stir each until the color is fully incorporated.
Step 2: Create the Marbled Effect
Transfer each colored batter into its own zip-top bag and snip off a corner to create a makeshift piping bag. Grease a 9×13 baking pan, then squeeze the batters into the pan, alternating colors. Don’t worry about being too precise—the random pattern creates the most beautiful marbled effect!
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Slide your colorful creation into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for about 15 minutes before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Poke and Fill
Using the handle end of a wooden spoon, poke holes throughout the cake, spacing them about 1½ inches apart. In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant pudding and milk for about 5 minutes until it begins to thicken but is still pourable. Immediately pour this mixture over the cake, making sure it fills the holes.
Step 5: Top and Decorate
Spread the entire container of Cool Whip evenly over the top of the cake, creating swirls and peaks for visual interest. Finish with a generous sprinkling of Easter-themed sprinkles. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the pudding to set completely.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs aren’t cold from the refrigerator—they’ll incorporate much better at room temperature.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the food coloring, stir just until incorporated to avoid deflating the batter.
- Poke While Warm: Create the holes while the cake is still slightly warm so they form cleanly without crumbling.
- Be Quick With Pudding: Pour the pudding mixture over the cake before it sets too firmly. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to pour and seep into the holes.
- Chill Thoroughly: Let the cake chill for at least 2 hours—overnight is even better—to allow flavors to meld and the pudding to set properly.
How to Serve
Presentation Ideas
Serve slices that showcase the beautiful marbled interior. A clear glass cake stand will highlight the colorful sides of the cake.
Perfect Pairings
This versatile cake pairs wonderfully with fresh berries on the side, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a mug of hot coffee or tea.
Special Occasions
Make this the centerpiece of your Easter dessert table, or bring it to spring potlucks, baby showers, or birthday celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftover cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavor actually improves after the first day as the pudding fully infuses the cake.
Freezing
While you can freeze portions of the cake for up to 1 month, the texture of the Cool Whip may change slightly upon thawing. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
Reheating
No reheating necessary! Simply allow frozen slices to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving cold.
FAQs
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Can I use a homemade cake recipe instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! Any vanilla cake recipe that makes enough batter for a 9×13 pan will work beautifully. Just divide the batter and color as directed. Keep in mind that homemade cakes sometimes have a different texture, which might affect how the pudding soaks in.
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What if I don’t have neon food coloring?
Regular food coloring works fine, though the colors won’t be as vibrant. You can also use natural food coloring options like beet powder for pink, matcha powder for green, or butterfly pea flower tea for blue/purple tones.
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Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free cake mix, dairy-free pudding mix, plant-based milk, and a non-dairy whipped topping. There are several brands making dairy-free versions of all these ingredients now, making this adaptation quite simple.
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How far in advance can I make this cake?
This cake is perfect for making 1-2 days ahead of your event. The flavors actually meld and improve as it sits in the refrigerator. Just add the sprinkles right before serving if you want them to maintain their vibrant colors.
Final Thoughts
This Easter Poke Cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a celebration on a plate! The combination of soft cake, creamy pudding-filled pockets, and fluffy topping creates an irresistible treat that’s sure to become a new tradition in your home. Whether you’re hosting a big Easter gathering or just want to bring some spring joy to your family dinner, this colorful creation is guaranteed to brighten everyone’s day. Give it a try and watch faces light up when you slice into those beautiful pastel swirls!
PrintEaster Poke Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and colorful dessert perfect for Easter! This deliciously moist poke cake features vibrant pastel shades, rich vanilla flavor, and layers of pudding and whipped topping. Perfect for impressing guests and delighting kids!
Ingredients
Cake Base:
- 1 box Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Pudding & Topping:
- 1 (3.4 oz) box Jello Instant Vanilla or French Vanilla Pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 1 carton Cool Whip
- 1 box McCormick Neon Colors Food Coloring (Pink, Purple, Green)
- Easter sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Mix until smooth and well combined. Divide the batter equally into three separate bowls. - Color the Batter
Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl – pink in one, purple in the second, and green in the third. Mix each batter until the color is evenly incorporated. - Create the Marbleized Cake
Spoon each colored batter into separate Ziploc bags and snip off a small corner. Squeeze the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan, rotating and overlapping colors to create a marbleized effect. - Bake the Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pan with the cake batter into the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. - Poke the Cake
After the cake has cooled for about 10-15 minutes, use the back of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake, spacing the holes out every 1½ inches. - Prepare and Pour the Pudding
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and instant vanilla pudding mix. Beat the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the pudding begins to thicken. Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the poked holes. - Add the Whipped Topping
Spread a layer of Cool Whip over the cake to cover the pudding and cake completely. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle Easter-themed sprinkles on top. - Chill and Serve
Refrigerate the cake for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the pudding to set. Slice and serve this colorful, irresistible Easter treat!
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cake is slightly warm but not hot when pouring the pudding. This allows the pudding to soak nicely into the cake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste if preferred.
- Use pastel-colored sprinkles for a cohesive Easter theme.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg