A festive, moist, and delicious dessert perfect for your holiday gatherings! This Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake takes the classic red velvet flavor and elevates it with a creamy, dreamy topping and a burst of holiday cheer. It’s incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box – usually eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
For the Topping:
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Green and red sprinkles or holiday-themed decorations (e.g., mini candy canes, crushed peppermint)
Preparation:
Make sure to preheat your oven before starting!
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. You can use cooking spray or grease with butter and lightly flour the dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Prepare the red velvet cake batter according to the package instructions on the box of the red velvet cake. Typically, this involves mixing the cake mix with water, oil, and eggs.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake as directed on the box. Baking times can vary, but it’s usually around 25-35 minutes.
- To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
Step 3: Cool the Cake
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the baking dish for 10-15 minutes. This allows the cake to settle slightly and makes it easier to poke the holes.
Step 4: Poke the Cake
- After the cake has cooled slightly, use the handle of a wooden spoon (or a similar blunt object) to poke holes evenly across the top of the cake.
- Space the holes about 1 inch apart. The more holes you make, the more of that delicious sweetened condensed milk will soak in!
Step 5: Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Pour the entire can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes.
- The sweetened condensed milk will make the cake incredibly moist and add a lovely sweetness.
- Let the cake cool completely. This is important because you don’t want to melt the cream cheese topping! Place it in the fridge to speed up the cooling.
Step 6: Prepare the Topping
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese topping.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Make sure the cream cheese is really soft to avoid lumps.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the heavy whipping cream. Start on low speed to prevent the powdered sugar from flying everywhere, then increase the speed and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip!
Step 7: Assemble the Cake
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Use a spatula or knife to create a smooth and even layer.
Step 8: Decorate!
- Decorate the cake with green and red sprinkles or other festive toppings of your choice. Get creative!
- Mini candy canes, crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, or even edible glitter would be fantastic options.
Step 9: Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the topping to set.
- This chilling time is crucial for the best taste and texture.
- Slice the cake into squares and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Easy to Make: Uses a cake mix for convenience, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Incredibly Moist: The sweetened condensed milk soaks into the cake, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Festive and Delicious: The red velvet flavor combined with the creamy topping and holiday decorations makes it a show-stopping dessert.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves a good poke cake, and this Christmas-themed version is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can make this cake a day or two in advance, making holiday prep a breeze.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Individual Slices: Cut the cake into neat squares and arrange them on a serving platter.
- Whipped Cream Swirls: Pipe additional whipped cream swirls on top of each slice for an extra touch of elegance.
- Garnish: Add a fresh sprig of rosemary or a few cranberries for a pop of color and holiday flair.
- Dusting: Lightly dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving for a snowy effect.
- Tiered Display: Elevate the cake on a tiered cake stand for a more dramatic presentation.
Tips:
- Softened Cream Cheese is Key: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before beating it. This will ensure a smooth and lump-free topping.
- Don’t Overwhip the Cream: Be careful not to overwhip the heavy whipping cream. Once stiff peaks form, stop mixing to prevent it from turning into butter.
- Evenly Spaced Holes: Try to poke the holes evenly across the cake so that the sweetened condensed milk is distributed throughout.
- Customize the Decorations: Feel free to get creative with the decorations! Use your favorite holiday candies, sprinkles, or other festive toppings.
- Make it a Chocolate Red Velvet Cake: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the red velvet cake mix for a richer, chocolatey flavor.
- Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 25-35 minutes Cooling Time: 2 hours (minimum) Total Time: Approximately 3 hours
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Soduim: 250mg
Conclusion:
This Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake is a festive and easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for your holiday celebrations. With its moist cake, creamy topping, and cheerful decorations, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try, and let me know what you think! Happy Baking!
Q&A:
Q1: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A1: Absolutely! In fact, it’s recommended to make this cake at least a few hours ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld and the topping to set. You can even make it a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
Q2: Can I use a different type of cake mix?
A2: While the red velvet flavor is classic for this cake, you can certainly experiment with other cake mixes. Chocolate cake, vanilla cake, or even spice cake would all be delicious alternatives. Just be sure to adjust the baking time as needed.
Q3: What can I use if I don’t have heavy whipping cream?
A3: While heavy whipping cream is ideal for the topping, you can use a stabilized whipped topping like Cool Whip as a substitute. However, the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
Q4: Can I add flavor to the sweetened condensed milk?
A4: Yes, you can infuse the sweetened condensed milk with different flavors. Try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract, almond extract, or even a tablespoon of coffee liqueur for a unique twist.
Q5: How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?
A5: To ensure the cake doesn’t stick to the pan, grease it thoroughly with cooking spray or butter and then dust it with flour. You can also line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for extra insurance.
