The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in festive desserts that bring warmth and joy to your gatherings. One such delightful treat is the Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake.
This cake combines the moist texture of a classic vanilla cake with the vibrant, tangy flavor of cranberry sauce that seeps into the cake’s holes, creating a burst of holiday cheer in every bite. Easy to make yet impressively delicious, this poke cake is ideal for both seasoned bakers and beginners looking to add a special touch to their Christmas dessert table.
Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or attending a holiday potluck, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. The bright red cranberries and festive green garnishes make it visually stunning, while the creamy frosting balances the tartness beautifully.
Plus, it’s a fun recipe that brings a modern twist to traditional Christmas baking. Ready to spread some holiday magic?
Let’s dive into the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake is a fantastic holiday dessert for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly moist thanks to the cranberry sauce that fills the tiny holes poked in the cake, infusing it with juicy tartness.
The blend of sweet and tangy flavors perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas.
Additionally, the recipe is straightforward and uses common ingredients, making it accessible even if you don’t bake often. The creamy frosting adds a luscious finish, and the cake’s festive colors add charm to your holiday table.
Finally, it’s versatile—you can customize it with different frostings or toppings to suit your taste. This cake is sure to become a new holiday tradition!
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients required for the cake mix: eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping the frosting)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)
- Red sugar crystals or edible glitter (optional, for festive decoration)
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Toothpick or wooden skewer (for poking holes)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire rack (for cooling cake)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the vanilla cake mix box. Typically, this means combining the cake mix with eggs, oil, and water, then mixing until smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the cake for the time specified on the cake mix box, usually 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then, using a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes all over the surface of the cake about 1 inch apart.
- Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. This step is what makes the cake moist and flavorful.
- Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
- Make the frosting: In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. This whipped cream frosting is light and complements the tart cranberries beautifully.
- Frost the cake evenly with the whipped cream frosting using a spatula.
- Garnish the cake with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and sprinkle red sugar crystals or edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld and to firm up the frosting.
Tips & Variations
Tip: For an extra burst of flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the cake batter or cranberry sauce. The citrusy notes pair wonderfully with cranberries and add a lovely aroma to your cake.
Variation: Swap out the vanilla cake mix for a spice cake mix to add warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This will make the cake even more festive and cozy.
Tip: If you prefer a more decadent frosting, try a cream cheese frosting instead of whipped cream. It adds richness and a slight tang that complements the cranberries.
Variation: Use a combination of fresh and dried cranberries in the sauce for texture contrast. You can also add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top for crunch.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1 slice) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Total Fat | 14 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugars | 28 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
Serving Suggestions
This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee, tea, or mulled wine during your Christmas celebrations. For a festive brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit and a dollop of extra whipped cream.
If you want to make it extra special, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of white chocolate sauce when serving. The creamy cold ice cream contrasts nicely with the moist, fruity cake.
For a lighter option, garnish with fresh mint leaves instead of heavy frosting and serve chilled for a refreshing holiday treat.
Conclusion
Our Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake is a joyous addition to any holiday dessert spread. It combines the best of festive flavors with a simple preparation method, making it a perfect recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
The moist cake infused with tart cranberry sauce, topped with fluffy whipped cream, is not only delicious but visually stunning, capturing the essence of Christmas in each slice.
We hope this recipe brings warmth, sweetness, and a splash of holiday spirit to your celebrations. If you love this recipe, be sure to check out other festive and vegan-friendly recipes like Best Vegan Christmas Pudding Recipe for Festive Joy, Best Vegan Holiday Cookie Recipe for Festive Treats, and Berry Cobbler Recipe Vegan: Easy, Delicious, and Healthy to complete your holiday menu.
Happy baking and Merry Christmas!
📖 Recipe Card: Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake
Description: A festive and moist vanilla cake filled with tart cranberry sauce and topped with creamy frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings and celebrations.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT35M
Total Time: PT55M
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup fresh or canned cranberry sauce
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional, for garnish)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake mix according to package instructions.
- Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove cake and poke holes all over with the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Pour boiling water over dry pudding mix in a bowl and whisk until thickened.
- Pour pudding evenly over the warm cake, filling the holes.
- Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour to set pudding.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Spread whipped cream over the chilled cake.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and chopped pecans if desired.
- Serve chilled and enjoy.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 12 g | Carbs: 48 g
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