Description
A festive Christmas-themed Red Velvet Poke Cake featuring a moist cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, often decorated with holiday colors and sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) red velvet cake mix
- Ingredients called for on the box (eggs, oil, water) for the cake mix
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%) for the soak
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the soak
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream, as needed for frosting consistency
- Green and red food coloring (optional, for Christmas colors)
- Christmas sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare red velvet cake mix according to package directions for a 9×13 inch pan. Bake and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large straw to poke holes all over the top of the cake, about 1 inch apart. Don’t poke all the way to the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Slowly and evenly pour the milk mixture over the poked cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes.
- For the frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until combined. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If desired, divide frosting and tint with green and red food coloring.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the poke filling to set.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before poking holes to prevent the cake from tearing excessively.
- Do not poke all the way through the bottom of the cake; the filling should soak into the upper layers.
- Refrigeration is crucial for the filling to set properly.