Description
Homemade cranberry poke cake delivers festive winter magic with its tangy-sweet flavor profile. Moist layers infused with cranberry sauce create a delightful dessert you’ll crave throughout holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Produce:
- 1 package fresh cranberries
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 (3 ounces/85 grams) package cranberry gelatin
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) container whipped topping
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease to prevent sticking.
- Craft the cake batter by blending the white cake mix with essential liquid and solid ingredients until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Transfer the cake mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution. Place in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges completely clean.
- After removing the cake from the oven, allow it to cool slightly for approximately 10 minutes. Create a network of deep holes across the entire surface using a wooden spoon handle, piercing all the way to the cake’s bottom.
- Create a luscious cranberry infusion by whisking sweetened condensed milk and cranberry sauce together until thoroughly integrated. For a more refined texture, consider puréeing the cranberry sauce beforehand.
- Gently cascade the cranberry mixture over the cake, ensuring complete penetration into every hole. Let the cake rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the liquid to thoroughly permeate the crumb.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form. Delicately spread this cloud-like topping across the entire cake surface.
- Embellish the dessert with fresh cranberries and an optional dusting of powdered sugar. Serve either chilled or at ambient temperature to maximize flavor complexity.
Notes
- Boost moisture by ensuring you poke deep holes through the entire cake, allowing the cranberry mixture to penetrate completely.
- Customize the sweetness level by adjusting the amount of powdered sugar in the whipped cream topping to suit personal taste preferences.
- Select high-quality cranberry sauce for more robust flavor, preferably homemade or artisan brands that offer richer fruit complexity.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives like coconut whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg