Jolly Holiday Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe for Christmas Joy

Red velvet magic sparkles through this Christmas red velvet poke cake, creating a dessert that captures holiday cheer with every delectable bite.

Soft, moist layers of rich crimson cake invite sweet anticipation and celebration.

Deep cocoa notes blend seamlessly with creamy frosting, promising a decadent treat.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic dessert, perfecting its irresistible texture and flavor.

Festive sprinkles and smooth cream cheese frosting transform an ordinary cake into a spectacular centerpiece.

Each slice tells a story of warmth, tradition, and indulgence.

Serve this stunning dessert and watch eyes light up with pure holiday delight.

What You’ll Need to Bake Red Velvet Poke Cake

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for baking and serving the cake evenly.
• Wooden spoon handle: Essential for creating uniform holes in the cake.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for beating cream cheese and whipping cream smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for preparing the cream cheese topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps spread the topping evenly across the cake.

Making Red Velvet Poke Cake from Scratch

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking dish a quick butter massage.

• Mix and Bake the Cake Base

Whip up the red velvet cake mix following the package guidance and slide it into the oven.

• Create Cake Craters

Once the cake has chilled for a few minutes, grab a wooden spoon handle and punch gentle holes across the surface.

• Drench the Cake

Pour sweet condensed milk into each little crater, letting it soak deep into the cake’s core.

• Whip the Dreamy Topping

Grab your mixer and transform cream cheese into silky smoothness. Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla, then gently blend in whipping cream until peaks stand tall.

• Dress Up Your Dessert

Lavish the creamy topping across the cake’s surface, creating a beautiful blanket of white.

• Add Festive Flair

Sprinkle red and green decorative bits to give your cake a holiday spirit.

• Chill and Celebrate

Tuck the cake into the refrigerator for a couple hours, then slice and serve up some Christmas cheer.

Tips for Red Velvet Poke Cake You’ll Want to Try

• Swap cream cheese frosting with marshmallow or buttercream for a different holiday twist.
• Prepare this cake up to 2 days in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator to maximize convenience during busy holiday seasons.
• Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free red velvet mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive guests.
• Use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives to create a delicious allergen-friendly version of this classic dessert.
• For smaller gatherings, halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch pan, adjusting baking time to prevent over-browning.

Showstopping Ways to Serve Red Velvet Poke Cake

• Festive Family Gathering Centerpiece: Make this red velvet poke cake the star of your holiday dessert table, creating a stunning visual impact that draws everyone's attention and sparks conversation.
• Sweet Holiday Gift Idea: Package individual slices in clear festive boxes with ribbons, perfect for neighbors, teachers, or coworkers who will appreciate a homemade Christmas treat.
• Cocoa and Coffee Pairing: Serve chilled slices alongside rich hot cocoa or a warm espresso to complement the cake's sweet cream cheese topping and enhance the overall dessert experience.
• Seasonal Decoration Inspiration: Garnish with candy cane pieces, crushed peppermint, or red and green sprinkles to amplify the Christmas theme and add delightful texture and crunch.

How to Save Red Velvet Poke Cake the Right Way

• Store the cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the surface covered with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delightful texture.
• Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve the cake's original taste and consistency.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the cream cheese topping to soften slightly, enhancing its creamy and smooth flavor profile.
• Prepare the cake one day in advance to let the flavors blend beautifully. The condensed milk will continue to infuse the cake, creating a more decadent and rich dessert experience.

FAQs

• What makes red velvet cake different from other cakes?

Red velvet cake uses cocoa powder with vinegar and buttermilk, which creates a unique tender crumb and slight tangy flavor, plus its distinctive deep red color that sets it apart from chocolate or vanilla cakes.

• Can I make this cake from scratch instead of using a box mix?

Absolutely! Use 2¼ cups flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 1½ cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 eggs, ½ cup buttermilk, 1½ cups vegetable oil, 2 tbsp red food coloring, and 1 tsp white vinegar to create a homemade red velvet cake base.

• How do I know when I've poked enough holes in the cake?

Aim for holes about 1 inch apart across the entire cake surface. This ensures the sweetened condensed milk distributes evenly and penetrates throughout the cake, creating a moist and rich texture.

• Is it necessary to use an electric mixer for the topping?

While an electric mixer works best for creating smooth, stiff peaks in the cream cheese topping, you can use a whisk and some arm strength. Just be prepared for a more manual and potentially less consistent result.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 12

Red Velvet Poke Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: Delivers signature crimson color and classic chocolatey undertones, perfect for festive holiday desserts.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender, helping bind ingredients smoothly.
• Eggs: Provides structure and richness, creating a velvety cake texture.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Infuses cake with luxurious sweetness and creates luscious, creamy layers.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, rich flavor and creates smooth, creamy frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting, ensuring perfect consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates light, fluffy texture and adds elegant volume to topping.

• Green Sprinkles, Red Sprinkles: Adds playful holiday color and delightful visual appeal.

Festive Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake brings holiday cheer with rich crimson layers and creamy filling. Cream cheese frosting and holiday sprinkles complete this delightful dessert you cannot resist sharing at seasonal gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 14 oz/397 g sweetened condensed milk
• 8 oz/226 g cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon/5 ml vanilla extract
• Green and red sprinkles or holiday-themed decorations

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven according to red velvet cake package directions and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease.
2. Cake Formation: Create the red velvet cake batter precisely, pour into the prepared dish, and bake until a toothpick emerges clean.
3. Perforation Process: After removing the cake from the oven, let it rest briefly, then methodically puncture the warm surface with a wooden spoon handle, creating uniform holes.
4. Milk Infusion: Cascade sweetened condensed milk across the cake, ensuring complete penetration into each carefully crafted perforation.
5. Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese until velvety, then blend with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream until achieving luxurious, stable peaks.
6. Decorative Finishing: Spread the cream cheese topping evenly across the cake’s surface, generously garnish with festive green and red sprinkles, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to solidify flavors.
7. Serving: Slice the chilled cake and present this decadent Christmas dessert with elegant simplicity.

Notes

Prevent Cake Crumbling: Use a wooden spoon handle gently when poking holes to avoid tearing the cake’s delicate surface, ensuring clean, precise perforations.

Moisture Control: Let condensed milk absorb completely by allowing the cake to cool slowly, which prevents soggy texture and enhances overall cake consistency.

Temperature Precision: Whip cream cheese at room temperature for smoother blending, guaranteeing a silky, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly.

Dietary Adaptation: Substitute regular cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives and use gluten-free cake mix to create an inclusive version suitable for various dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg