Can I use a scratch cake recipe instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! Any vanilla cake recipe that yields enough batter for a 9x13 pan will work wonderfully. Just divide the batter and color as directed. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on it.

Why did my colors bleed together too much?

If your colors mixed more than you wanted, you might have swirled the batters too much. For more distinct color patterns, work quickly when squeezing the batters into the pan and avoid excessive spreading or mixing. Also, make sure your food coloring is well-incorporated into each batter portion before transferring to the bags.

Can I make this cake without artificial food coloring?

Yes! There are several natural food coloring options available. Beetroot powder can create pink, spirulina powder makes green, and blueberry powder creates purple hues. The colors won't be as vibrant as neon food coloring, but they'll still create a lovely pastel effect perfect for Easter.

My pudding seemed to sit on top rather than soaking in, what went wrong?

This typically happens if the pudding mixture became too set before pouring. Make sure to pour the pudding over the cake when it's still quite pourable, just as it begins to thicken. Also, ensure your poke holes are large enough and go all the way to the bottom of the pan.

Easter Poke Cake Recipe

Description

This Easter Poke Cake is colorful, festive, and irresistibly moist. With a delightful marbleized pattern of pink, purple, and green, layered with a creamy vanilla pudding filling, and topped with fluffy whipped topping, this dessert is perfect for any Easter gathering. It’s easy to make and promises to wow your guests with both its appearance and taste.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cake:
1 Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix
3 Eggs
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
McCormick Neon Colors Food Coloring (Pink, Purple, Green)

For the Filling & Topping:

1 (3.4 oz) Box Jello Instant Vanilla or French Vanilla Pudding
3 cups Milk
1 Carton Cool Whip
Easter Sprinkles (Optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, combine the French Vanilla Cake Mix, Eggs, Water, and Vegetable Oil. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Divide and Color Batter
Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Add a few drops of Food Coloring (pink, purple, and green), and mix each bowl until the batter reaches your desired color.
Create Marbleized Effect
Transfer each colored batter into a Ziploc bag and snip off one corner to create a piping bag. Onto a greased 9×13 baking pan, squeeze each color batter in a rotating motion to create a marbleized look.
Bake the Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Poke Holes
Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the cake surface, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart.
Prepare Pudding Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the Milk and Instant Vanilla Pudding mix for about 5 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.
Fill the Cake with Pudding
Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the entire cake, making sure it seeps into the holes created earlier. Spread it gently for even coverage.
Top with Cool Whip
Once the pudding has soaked into the cake, spread an even layer of Cool Whip across the top.
Decorate and Serve
(Optional) Sprinkle your cake with festive Easter-themed sprinkles to add a fun, colorful touch. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to set.

Notes

You can swap the neon food coloring for pastel shades for a more subtle look.
For added flavor, try substituting whole milk for the pudding mix or even using a flavored whipped topping.
Chill the cake for at least 1-2 hours before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately)
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 32g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 30mg