Vampire Poke Cake

This Vampire Poke Cake is a truly enchanting dessert, perfect for adding a touch of spooky fun. Its moist, tender crumb, infused with a vibrant cherry sauce, creates a delightful burst of flavor. The creamy whipped topping and playful “fang” details make it a showstopper. It’s the kind of cake that brings smiles to faces. This recipe is surprisingly straightforward, too.

This dessert is great for Halloween parties. It’s also perfect if you just want something uniquely delicious. As a busy mom, I appreciate that it’s easy to manage. It’s impressive without being difficult. You’ll love making this special treat.

Why I Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons this Vampire Poke Cake is a staple in my kitchen. It’s just wonderfully easy!

• Effortlessly Spooky: It creates a dramatic Halloween look. You get this wow-factor with very little fuss.
• Flavor Explosion: The luscious cherry sauce pairs perfectly. It makes the moist cake sing.
• Crowd-Pleaser: This cake is always a huge hit. Both kids and adults adore it.
• Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare it in advance. This saves precious time on busy event days.

Vampire Poke Cake Ingredients

The magic of this Vampire Poke Cake truly comes from its simple, yet impactful, combination. Think tender cake base. Add a luscious cherry sauce. Top it with a cloud-like whipped topping. Together, these elements create a dessert that’s both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. It’s a flavor adventure you’ll adore.

The exact quantities are in the printable recipe card. It’s down below. You’ll find everything you need there. It is easy to follow along.

Core Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: This gives our cake its wonderful structure. It’s the backbone of our dessert.
• Baking powder & Baking soda: These are our leavening agents. They ensure a light, airy crumb.
• Kosher salt: It enhances all the other flavors. Salt balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Granulated sugar: This sweetens the cake beautifully. It also makes the cake incredibly tender.
• Unsalted butter: Butter adds richness. It gives a smooth, buttery flavor we all love.
• Large eggs: Eggs bind all the ingredients. They add moisture and structure too.
• Almond extract: This offers a subtle flavor. It’s a sophisticated note complementing the cherry.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk contributes moisture. It also adds a slight tang, making the cake super tender.
• Cherries (fresh or frozen): These are the stars of our spooky sauce. They provide vibrant color and fruity taste.
• Heavy cream: This forms the base of our luscious topping. It’s airy and delightful.
• Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the cream. It also helps stabilize the topping.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds classic warmth. It enhances the sweet creaminess.

Substitutions and Tips:

• Cherries: Fresh cherries are great, but frozen pitted cherries work beautifully. If you want a different taste, try raspberries or cranberries.
• Almond Extract: Not a fan of almond? Use vanilla extract instead. Cherry extract also works well. It intensifies the cherry flavor.
• Buttermilk: No buttermilk? No worries! Just add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir it into 1 3/4 cups of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Food Coloring: Want more vampire flair? Add a drop of red food coloring. Put it in the cherry sauce or whipped cream. It enhances the spooky look.

How to Make Vampire Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get a 13×9 inch baking pan ready. Spray it with cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper. Leave an overhang on two sides. This helps later. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat them until light and fluffy. This takes about 4-5 minutes. Add the eggs next. Beat them in one at a time. Stir in the almond extract. It’s okay if it looks a little curdled then.

Step 2: Assemble and Bake the Cake

Now, let’s combine the batter. Add one-third of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Then add half the buttermilk. Beat on low speed briefly. Repeat this process. Alternate the dry and wet ingredients. End with the dry ingredients. Don’t overmix the batter. Pour the smooth batter into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly. Bake for 25-35 minutes. The cake should be golden. It should spring back when touched.

Step 3: Make the Cherry Sauce

While the cake bakes, make the cherry sauce. In a small saucepan, combine cherries and sugar. Add water, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Bring this mixture to a boil. Use medium-high heat for this. Once boiling, reduce the heat. Cook for about 2 minutes. Mash the cherries occasionally. This helps them break down. The sauce should thicken nicely. Remove it from the heat. Let it cool a bit. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender. Blend it right in the pot. A regular blender works too. Puree until smooth for the best results.

Step 4: Infuse the Cake

Let the baked cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. While it’s still warm, grab a wooden spoon handle. Poke holes all over the cake surface. This is key for the Vampire Poke Cake! Pour the warm cherry sauce evenly over the cake. Make sure it fills all those holes. Cover the pan tightly. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better. This lets the flavors meld and the sauce set.

Step 5: Prepare the Whipped Topping and Finish

Time to complete this spooky dessert. Make the topping next. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Use high speed. Whip until medium peaks form. This makes a light, airy frosting. Once the cake is chilled well, lift it from the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang. Spread the whipped cream over the cake. To get the fang look, use the wooden spoon handle again. Poke holes in the whipped cream. Fill these holes with reserved cherry sauce. You can splatter more sauce for drama.

How to Store Vampire Poke Cake

Keep any leftover Vampire Poke Cake in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for 3-4 days. Freezing is an option. However, the whipped cream texture may change. It’s best enjoyed fresh. Cover the cake well. This stops it from picking up fridge odors.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs, butter, and buttermilk helps the batter come together smoothly. This is a simple step with big results.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the cake batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, and we want a tender crumb.
• Chill Time is Key: Letging the Vampire Poke Cake chill properly is important. This allows the flavors to meld. It also helps the sauce thicken up nicely.
• Poking Holes: Use a sturdy tool, like a wooden spoon handle. This creates deep holes for the sauce. Make sure to poke all over the cake.
• Cherry Pitting: If you use fresh cherries, pit them thoroughly. You don’t want any pits in your delicious dessert.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• A 13×9 inch baking pan is essential.
• Parchment paper helps with easy removal.
• You’ll need mixing bowls of various sizes.
• A whisk is handy for dry ingredients.
• An electric mixer, stand or hand, is helpful.
• A saucepan is needed for the cherry sauce.
• Use a wooden spoon for poking holes.
• An immersion or regular blender is optional.
• An offset spatula or knife spreads the cream frosting.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this Vampire Poke Cake chilled. That way, you get the best texture and flavor. It really makes a difference.
• Pair a slice with cold milk. A festive Halloween drink is also a great idea. Think spooky punch!
• Add a few fresh cherries on top. Edible glitter adds extra sparkle. It’s a lovely finishing touch.
• For an extra-decadent treat, serve it with vanilla ice cream. It’s a perfect pairing.

As a passionate home cook, I know we’re always looking for ways to prepare delicious food ahead of time. This Vampire Poke Cake is a great candidate for make-ahead magic. Actually, it’s best when made at least 4 hours ahead. Even better, prepare it the day before your event. This time allows the cherry sauce to really soak into the cake. It makes the flavor and texture so much better. Just keep it covered and chilled. Then, frost and serve when ready.

Buttermilk is key for a tender cake. What if you don’t have any? No worries at all! It’s easy to make a substitute. Measure out 1 ¾ cups of milk. Stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. It will thicken slightly. This gives your Vampire Poke Cake a similar tenderizing effect.

Smooth cherry sauce is so lovely. For the smoothest sauce, use an immersion blender. You can blend it right in the saucepan after cooking. If you don’t have one, a regular blender works too. A food processor is another option. Just let the sauce cool a bit first. This avoids steam buildup in your blender.

Cherries are classic for this Vampire Poke Cake. But you can totally experiment! Other fruits make delicious alternatives. Try raspberries, strawberries, or a mixed berry blend. Just adjust the sugar in the sauce. Do this based on the fruit’s natural sweetness. What a fun way to mix things up!

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