Jolly Holiday Cranberry Poke Cake Recipe: A Sweet Sparkle

Dessert lovers rejoice when the magic of cranberry poke cake bursts onto their holiday table with festive cheer.

Bursting with vibrant colors and tangy sweetness, this delightful treat promises to become your new seasonal favorite.

The unique texture and rich cranberry flavors will make everyone’s taste buds dance with excitement.

Moist cake layers receive a delicious cranberry sauce infusion that adds depth and complexity to every single bite.

Light, fluffy, and beautifully decorated, this cake transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations.

Each slice tells a story of culinary creativity and seasonal joy.

You won’t be able to resist diving fork-first into this spectacular dessert that screams holiday happiness.

Tools You’ll Need for Cranberry Cake Prep

• Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining cake mix ingredients and whipping cream.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for baking and serving the cake.
• Wooden Spoon Handle or Dowel: Crucial for poking precise holes in the cake.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Needed for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing cranberry sauce and condensed milk.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness.

How to Prepare Cranberry Poke Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab a 9×13 baking pan and give it a quick spray or butter rub.

• Mix the Cake Base

Whip together the white cake mix with eggs, oil, and water until the batter looks smooth and dreamy.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the pan and slide it into the oven. Let it dance around for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Create Cake Craters

After the cake cools for 10 minutes, grab a wooden spoon handle and poke holes all over. Make them deep and evenly spaced.

• Drench in Cranberry

Blend sweetened condensed milk with cranberry sauce. Slowly pour this vibrant mixture over the cake, letting it seep into every hole.

• Crown with Fluffy Topping

Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until it forms sturdy peaks. Spread this cloudlike topping across the entire cake.

• Final Flourish

Scatter fresh cranberries on top and dust with a light snow of powdered sugar. Chill or serve at room temperature for maximum deliciousness.

Tips for Adding Tart Flavor Depth

• Learn how to perfectly distribute cranberry mixture by poking deep, even holes across the entire cake surface for maximum flavor absorption.
• Let the cake rest for 30-45 minutes after adding cranberry mixture, allowing liquid to completely penetrate and create a moist, rich dessert experience.
• Swap regular white cake mix with gluten-free version for celiac-friendly option; use sugar-free condensed milk for diabetic-friendly alternative.
• Experiment with different fruit sauces like raspberry or strawberry instead of cranberry for year-round versatility; consider adding orange zest for bright citrus undertones.
• Prepare cake one day in advance and refrigerate, letting flavors meld together, which intensifies the overall taste and makes party preparation easier.

Presenting Cranberry Poke Cake for Events

• Holiday Dessert Centerpiece: Create a stunning holiday table display by placing the cranberry poke cake on an elegant cake stand with pine branch decorations around the base for a festive winter look.
• Flavor Pairing Paradise: Serve alongside a warm cup of spiced chai tea or mulled wine to complement the cake's rich cranberry and sweet cream profile, enhancing the overall taste experience.
• Breakfast Transformation: Enjoy leftover slices as a decadent morning treat, paired with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent breakfast twist.
• Gifting Delight: Pack individual slices in clear gift boxes with a festive ribbon for a homemade holiday gift that shows personal care and culinary creativity.

Keeping Cranberry Poke Cake Moist

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the whipped cream topping fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
• Place wax paper or parchment paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and preserve the whipped cream's delicate structure.
• Prepare the cake base and cranberry mixture a day in advance, then add the whipped cream topping just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and optimal taste quality.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this cake different from other poke cakes?

The key difference is using cranberry sauce and sweetened condensed milk, which creates a unique, tangy-sweet flavor profile that sets this cake apart from traditional poke cake recipes.

• Can I use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe?

While the recipe calls for cranberry sauce, you can make your own sauce using fresh or frozen cranberries by cooking them with sugar until they break down and create a thick sauce.

• Is this cake suitable for holiday gatherings?

Absolutely! The cranberry flavor and festive appearance make this cake perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or winter holiday celebrations, offering a delightful dessert that looks impressive but is easy to prepare.

• How do I ensure the cake absorbs the cranberry mixture properly?

Make sure to poke holes all the way to the bottom of the cake and pour the cranberry mixture slowly, allowing it to seep into the holes completely. Let the cake rest for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors fully.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 13

Cranberry Poke Cake Ingredient List

• White Cake Mix: Foundational mix creating a soft, fluffy base that absorbs cranberry flavors beautifully.
• Eggs: Binding agent providing structure and richness to the cake's texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tenderness in the cake's crumb.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and activate cake mix components.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy liquid that adds sweetness and helps liquid penetrate cake deeply.
• Cranberry Sauce: Introduces vibrant tartness and festive holiday color to the dessert.
• Fresh Cranberries: Provides bright, tangy garnish and visual appeal with natural crimson hue.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, cloud-like texture with rich dairy essence.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness and helps stabilize whipped cream topping.

Festive Cranberry Poke Cake Recipe

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

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Description

Cranberry poke cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its festive charm. Moist layers infused with tangy cranberry sauce create a delectable holiday treat you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box white cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 package (12 oz/340 g) fresh cranberries
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 package (3 oz/85 g) cranberry gelatin
• 1 container (8 oz/226 g) whipped topping
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent potential sticking.
2. Mix Batter: Combine white cake mix with wet and dry ingredients, blending until achieving a smooth, velvety texture that flows effortlessly.
3. Bake Cake: Pour batter into prepared dish, distributing evenly. Bake until a clean toothpick test confirms complete doneness, approximately 25-30 minutes.
4. Create Perforations: After removing from oven, let cake rest for 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon handle to puncture deep holes across the entire cake surface, ensuring complete penetration to the bottom.
5. Prepare Cranberry Infusion: Whisk sweetened condensed milk and cranberry sauce until perfectly combined. Optional: Purée sauce for enhanced smoothness and elegant consistency.
6. Saturate Cake: Slowly pour cranberry mixture over cake, allowing liquid to seep thoroughly into every created hole. Rest for 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption.
7. Craft Topping: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until forming glossy, stable peaks. Spread delicately across the entire cake surface, creating a luxurious cloud-like finish.
8. Garnish and Serve: Decorate with fresh cranberries and optional powdered sugar dusting. Offer chilled or at room temperature to enhance taste complexity.

Notes

• Optimize Batter Mixing: Blend cake mix ingredients gradually to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, silky texture that guarantees even baking.
• Perfect Hole Creation: Use the handle of a wooden spoon with consistent pressure, making holes deeply and evenly distributed across the cake surface for maximum cranberry sauce absorption.
• Control Liquid Penetration: Allow the cake to rest at least 30 minutes after adding cranberry mixture, enabling complete flavor infusion without making the cake soggy.
• Stabilize Whipped Cream: Chill cream and mixing bowl beforehand to help achieve firmer, more stable peaks that hold their shape when spread on the cake.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg