The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious desserts. This Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake is the perfect festive treat to bring joy to your holiday celebrations. It combines the rich, velvety texture of red velvet cake with a creamy pudding filling, topped with fluffy whipped topping and colorful Christmas sprinkles. Not only does it taste incredible, but its vibrant red color and festive decoration make it a show-stopping dessert for any holiday gathering. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner or bringing a dessert to a potluck, this easy-to-make cake is sure to impress everyone with its stunning appearance and indulgent flavor. The poke cake method allows the pudding to soak into the cake, creating an ultra-moist and flavorful dessert that everyone will love.

Best of all, this cake is incredibly simple to prepare, with minimal effort required. You just need to follow a few simple steps, and the result is a mouthwatering dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery. It’s the perfect combination of rich red velvet, creamy pudding, and light whipped topping, all finished off with a sprinkle of holiday cheer. This cake is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile—you can tweak the flavors and decorations to suit your own preferences, making it a great option for other holidays or celebrations too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why this Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake will become a holiday favorite. First and foremost, it’s absolutely delicious. The rich and moist red velvet cake pairs perfectly with the creamy, smooth pudding filling, creating a dessert that is as indulgent as it is satisfying. The whipped topping adds a light, airy texture, balancing the richness of the cake and pudding. The festive sprinkles make it visually appealing, turning it into the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering.

Another reason to love this recipe is its simplicity. With only a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have a stunning and delicious dessert ready in no time. The poke cake technique ensures that the pudding seeps into every bite, making it incredibly moist and flavorful. Plus, you can prepare it ahead of time, giving you more time to enjoy the festivities. Whether you’re serving it for Christmas, a New Year’s Eve party, or any other celebration, this cake will be a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Red velvet cake mix
Hot water
Instant vanilla pudding mix
Milk
Whipped topping, thawed
Christmas sprinkles

Variations

This Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake is a great base for many delicious variations:

Chocolate Pudding Filling: Instead of vanilla pudding, try using chocolate pudding mix for a richer, chocolatey flavor.
Cream Cheese Whipped Topping: For a tangy twist, mix cream cheese with your whipped topping for a richer, creamier layer.
Other Decorations: Switch up the Christmas sprinkles with themed decorations like candy canes, chocolate shavings, or mini marshmallows for added texture and flavor.
Flavored Pudding: Use different flavored instant pudding mixes, such as butterscotch or cheesecake, to change up the flavor profile of your cake.
Add Fruit: Consider adding a layer of fresh berries or chopped fruit on top of the whipped topping for added color and freshness.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Prepare and bake the red velvet cake according to the package instructions. Be sure to follow the directions for your specific cake mix, including adding hot water to the batter for a moist cake.

Step 2: Poke Holes in the Cake

Once the cake is baked and cooled for about 10 minutes, use the end of a wooden spoon or another round object to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Make sure the holes are evenly spaced, and don’t be afraid to make them deep enough so that the pudding can fill them thoroughly.

Step 3: Make the Pudding

In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until the pudding thickens and becomes smooth. This should take just a couple of minutes.

Step 4: Pour the Pudding

Pour the pudding mixture over the cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes. You can use a spatula to spread the pudding evenly across the cake, ensuring that every part of the cake is covered.

Step 5: Add the Whipped Topping

Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. This will give the cake a light, fluffy topping and add a smooth contrast to the rich pudding and cake.

Step 6: Decorate with Sprinkles

Finish off the cake by decorating it with Christmas sprinkles. You can get creative with the sprinkles, using red and green colors, or even gold and silver for a more festive touch.

Step 7: Chill the Cake

Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the cake is nice and cold when served.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before poking the holes in it. If the cake is too hot, the pudding won’t set properly.
Make Sure the Pudding Is Set: Be sure to whisk the pudding for the full time indicated on the package to ensure it sets properly before pouring it over the cake.
Chill Before Serving: Don’t skip the chilling step! The cake needs time in the refrigerator for the pudding to soak in and for the flavors to develop.
Use a Large Spoon: When poking holes in the cake, use a large, round spoon handle to ensure the holes are deep and wide enough to absorb the pudding.
Don’t Overfill the Holes: When pouring the pudding over the cake, make sure it’s absorbed into the holes but don’t let it overflow too much on top of the cake. You want the cake to remain intact for a neat presentation.

How to Serve

This Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake is perfect for serving at holiday parties, family dinners, or even as a sweet treat after a festive meal. It’s ideal for slicing into squares and serving on dessert plates. For an added touch, you can top individual slices with extra whipped topping, more sprinkles, or even a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. Pair it with a hot drink, like cocoa or coffee, for the ultimate holiday dessert experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days. The cake will stay moist and flavorful, but the whipped topping may start to soften over time.

Freezing

While the pudding and whipped topping layers may not freeze as well, you can freeze the red velvet cake portion of the dessert without the pudding filling. To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator before assembling with pudding and whipped topping.

Reheating

Since this is a cold dessert, there’s no need to reheat it. Simply slice and serve directly from the refrigerator.

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake without a box mix?

Yes, you can make a homemade red velvet cake from scratch. Just make sure to follow a reliable recipe for the red velvet cake batter.

2. Can I use a different flavor of pudding?

Absolutely! If you prefer a different flavor, you can substitute vanilla pudding with chocolate, butterscotch, or even cheesecake pudding for a unique twist.

3. How can I make this cake gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix and ensure that the pudding mix is gluten-free as well. There are several gluten-free instant pudding options available.

4. Can I use whipped cream instead of whipped topping?

Yes, you can use homemade whipped cream as a substitute for the whipped topping. Just ensure it’s stabilized so that it holds its shape.

5. Can I freeze this cake?

It’s not recommended to freeze this cake once it’s assembled, as the pudding and whipped topping may not maintain their texture after freezing. However, you can freeze the cake itself and add the pudding and topping later.

6. Can I decorate this cake differently?

Of course! You can decorate it with crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, or even edible glitter for an extra festive touch.

7. How long does the cake need to chill?

Let the cake chill for at least 1 hour, but for best results, allow it to chill for a few hours so the pudding has time to fully absorb into the cake.

8. Can I use a homemade cake mix for this recipe?

Yes, you can make a homemade red velvet cake from scratch and follow the same poke cake instructions with the pudding and whipped topping layers.

9. How do I make sure the pudding doesn’t overflow?

Pour the pudding slowly and allow it to seep into the holes before adding more, ensuring it doesn’t spill over the edges of the cake.

10. Can I add extra layers to the cake?

Yes, you can create extra layers by dividing the cake and pudding into two layers, adding additional whipped topping in between for more texture.

Conclusion

Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake is the perfect festive dessert to celebrate the holidays. Its beautiful red color, creamy pudding filling, and fluffy whipped topping make it a showstopper, while the easy preparation ensures you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festivities. Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, this dessert will be the star of your holiday table. So, go ahead and make this delightful poke cake for your next Christmas gathering, and watch as it becomes a beloved tradition!