Cranberry Poke Cake

The vibrant tang of cranberries dances with the sweet, pillowy softness of cake in this delightful Cranberry Poke Cake. Each bite offers a burst of flavor, a textural symphony that’s both comforting and exhilarating.

Imagine a dessert that is not only incredibly delicious but also unbelievably easy to make. This Cranberry Poke Cake delivers on both fronts. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dessert to a festive holiday gathering.

Here are a few reasons why you will fall in love with this Cranberry Poke Cake:

• Effortless preparation makes it ideal for novice bakers or those short on time, delivering a delicious result with minimal fuss.
• The sweet cake combined with tart cranberry sauce provides a balanced and exciting taste experience that keeps you coming back for more.
• The striking red cranberry sauce against the light cake creates a visually appealing dessert that is sure to impress your guests.
• This recipe is incredibly adaptable; you can easily adjust the sweetness or tartness to suit your personal preferences.

Ingredients for Cranberry Poke Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

Boxed White Cake Mix This forms the base of our cake. Choose your favorite brand and follow the box instructions, or use your own white cake recipe.

Eggs Act as a binder, adding richness and structure to the cake. Use large eggs for best results.

Vegetable Oil Adds moisture to the cake, keeping it tender and preventing it from drying out.

Water Hydrates the dry ingredients and helps to create a smooth batter.

Canned Cranberry Sauce This is the star of the show! Use whole berry or jellied, depending on your preference. It will provide the signature cranberry flavor and create the “poke” effect.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Creates a creamy, sweet, and decadent filling that soaks into the holes, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.

Heavy Cream This is whipped to create a light and airy topping that complements the tart cranberries and sweet cake.

Powdered Sugar Sweetens the whipped cream and helps it to hold its shape.

Alcohol-free alcohol-free vanilla extract Enhances the flavor of the whipped cream, adding a touch of warmth and complexity.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make Cranberry Poke Cake

Follow these simple steps to prepare this delicious dish:

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the white cake mix according to package directions, using eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Pour batter into a 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 2: Poke the Holes

Let the cake cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the cake. Make sure the holes are evenly spaced and go about halfway down into the cake.

Step 3: Add the Cranberry Sauce and Sweetened Condensed Milk

Spoon the canned cranberry sauce evenly over the cake, making sure to fill each hole with cranberry goodness. Next, slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and saturate the cake.

Step 4: Chill the Cake

Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the cranberry sauce and sweetened condensed milk to fully soak into the cake, creating a moist and flavorful dessert.

Step 5: Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping

In a large bowl, beat heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and Alcohol-free alcohol-free vanilla extract, and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.

Step 6: Frost and Serve

Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake. You can garnish with additional cranberries, if desired. Cut into squares and serve cold. Enjoy the delightful combination of sweet cake, tart cranberries, and creamy whipped topping!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

The secret to a truly phenomenal Cranberry Poke Cake lies in the sequence. First, bake the cake until it’s perfectly golden. While it cools slightly, prepare the cranberry sauce. Finally, poke those holes and let the fruity goodness seep in! This order ensures even distribution and prevents a soggy cake.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to get creative! Swap out the vanilla cake mix for a lemon one to brighten the flavor. Add a dash of orange zest to the cranberry sauce for an extra zing. Or, top with toasted pecans for a delightful crunch. Your Cranberry Poke Cake, your rules!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Cranberry Poke Cake fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. There’s no need to reheat it; it’s best served chilled or at room temperature. This makes it a perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion.

Here are a few handy tips to help you bake your best Cranberry Poke Cake:

• Ensure the cake is still slightly warm when you poke the holes; this helps the cranberry sauce absorb evenly.

• Don’t be shy with the cranberry sauce! The more you pour, the more flavorful and moist your Cranberry Poke Cake will be.

• For a beautiful presentation, wait until the cake is completely cooled before adding the whipped topping or frosting.

(Personal anecdote formated as paragraph subheading)

I once made this for a holiday party, and it was gone in minutes! My aunt swore I’d bought it from a fancy bakery. That’s when I knew this Cranberry Poke Cake recipe was a keeper.

Let’s dive into the wonderful world of Cranberry Poke Cake. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a delightful experience, a nostalgic trip, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser all rolled into one. Forget those complicated, multi-step recipes that leave you feeling more stressed than satisfied. We’re talking simple, scrumptious, and utterly irresistible.

The beauty of a Cranberry Poke Cake lies in its simplicity. It’s the dessert equivalent of a warm hug—comforting, familiar, and incredibly easy to throw together. And trust me, once you taste that sweet, tangy cranberry sauce seeping into the soft, fluffy cake, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Let’s make a version of this poke cake that will have everyone singing your praises.

Why Cranberry Poke Cake? Because Life is Too Short for Boring Desserts!

Let’s be honest, the dessert world can be a daunting place. Towering layer cakes, delicate macarons, and intricate pastries—they all look fantastic, but who has the time (or the patience) to tackle them on a Tuesday night? That’s where the Cranberry Poke Cake swoops in to save the day.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it requires minimal effort. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable. Want to use a different kind of cake mix? Go for it! Prefer a homemade cranberry sauce? Be my guest! This recipe is more of a guideline than a strict set of rules.

The star of the show, of course, is the cranberry sauce. Its tartness perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake, creating a flavor explosion that will leave your taste buds begging for more. The texture, too, is a delight. The moist, saucy cake is a far cry from dry, crumbly desserts.

A Trip Down Memory Lane with Every Bite

For me, Cranberry Poke Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a time machine. It reminds me of family gatherings, cozy winter evenings, and the comforting aroma of baking filling the air. It’s a taste of home, no matter where I am. It also makes me smile, thinking about that time my brother tried to “help” by poking the holes with a chopstick. Let’s just say, the cake looked a little… abstract.

And while it might not be the fanciest dessert on the block, it’s undeniably delicious. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a good book. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together.

So, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to impress, look no further than the Cranberry Poke Cake. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. And who knows, it might just become a new family favorite.

Gather Your Arsenal: Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece. Don’t worry, it’s a pretty straightforward list. You might even have most of these ingredients already in your pantry.

• **A box of vanilla cake mix:** Because who has time to make a cake from scratch on a weeknight? (Okay, some people do, but this recipe is all about simplicity!)
• **Eggs, oil, and water:** Whatever the cake mix box tells you to use. Follow those instructions like your life depends on it.
• **Canned cranberry sauce:** The jellied kind, not the whole berry kind. Unless you’re feeling fancy, then go wild.
• **Orange Juice:** For a zingy twist to the Cranberry Sauce.
• **Alcohol-free alcohol-free vanilla extract:** A splash of this enhances all the other flavors.
• **Sweetened condensed milk:** This is the secret ingredient that makes the cake incredibly moist and delicious. Don’t skip it!
• **Whipped topping or frosting:** Because every cake needs a little something on top.

Ingredient Substitutions: Because We All Have Different Pantries

Don’t have sweetened condensed milk? Try using evaporated milk with a little sugar added. Out of whipped topping? Frosting works just as well. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly forgiving. Feel free to experiment and make it your own. If you like pecans, add them to the topping!

Let the Baking Games Begin: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Here’s how to turn those ingredients into a delicious Cranberry Poke Cake. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks.

1. **Bake the cake: ** Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool slightly.

2. **Poke the holes: ** Once the cake has cooled slightly, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the cake. The more holes, the saucier the cake will be.

3. **Make the Cranberry Sauce: ** In a bowl, whisk the canned cranberry sauce, orange juice, and Alcohol-free alcohol-free vanilla extract until smooth.

4. **Pour the sauce: ** Slowly pour the cranberry mixture over the cake, making sure to get it into all the holes.

5. **Drizzle the milk: ** Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake.

6. **Chill: ** Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least two hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

7. **Top and serve: ** Before serving, spread whipped topping or frosting over the cake. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Baking Success

• Make sure the cake is still slightly warm when you poke the holes; this helps the cranberry sauce absorb better.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors. Try adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cranberry sauce.
• For a prettier presentation, sprinkle some chopped nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar over the top.

Variations: Remix Your Cranberry Poke Cake

Want to shake things up a bit? Here are a few fun variations to try.

• **Lemon Cranberry Poke Cake:** Use a lemon cake mix and add lemon zest to the cranberry sauce for a bright, citrusy twist.
• **Spiced Cranberry Poke Cake:** Add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the cake batter for a warm, comforting flavor.
• **Chocolate Cranberry Poke Cake:** Use a chocolate cake mix and top with chocolate frosting for a decadent treat.

Get Creative: The Sky’s the Limit!

Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors and toppings. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. So go ahead, unleash your inner baker and create a Cranberry Poke Cake masterpiece!

Cranberry Poke Cake: A Sweet Ending

And there you have it! A simple, delicious, and utterly irresistible Cranberry Poke Cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, need a quick and easy dessert for a potluck, or simply want to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe is sure to please.

So go ahead, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a storm. Your taste buds (and your friends and family) will thank you for it. This Cranberry Poke Cake will be the star of the show.

Conclusion for Cranberry Poke Cake:

This Cranberry Poke Cake is truly something special. It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of the moist cake, tangy cranberry, and creamy topping is a symphony of flavors that will have everyone reaching for a second slice. So, bake one up for your next gathering and watch it disappear in minutes. You might just become a poke cake pro!

Print

FAQs:

What makes this Cranberry Poke Cake so darn delicious?

Well, picture this: a fluffy, moist cake absolutely riddled with little flavor pockets of tangy cranberry sauce. Each bite is a delightful surprise, a burst of sweet and tart that will have you doing a little happy dance in your seat. Then there’s the creamy, dreamy whipped topping, blanketing the cake in a cloud of pure bliss. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience, a party in your mouth that everyone is invited to!

Can I prepare this Cranberry Poke Cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s almost better the next day. The cranberry sauce has more time to seep into the cake, making it even more moist and flavorful. Just prepare the cake as directed, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. Then, whip up the topping right before serving for the ultimate freshness. It’s the perfect dessert to make ahead for those busy holiday gatherings or any time you need a stress-free sweet treat.

Is there any way to adjust the sweetness of the Cranberry Poke Cake?

You bet! Taste is subjective, and this poke cake is totally customizable. If you like a sweeter cake, use a sweetened cranberry sauce or add a bit of powdered sugar to the whipped topping. If you prefer a tarter flavor, opt for an unsweetened cranberry sauce or even mix in a little bit of lemon zest. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect balance for your taste buds.

What are some fun variations I can try with this Cranberry Poke Cake recipe?

Oh, the possibilities are endless! You could use different flavors of cake mix, like lemon or vanilla, for a unique twist. Or, try adding chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the top for a little extra crunch. For a festive flair, sprinkle some orange zest or cinnamon over the whipped topping. Get creative and make it your own masterpiece! A bit of white chocolate drizzle adds a fancy touch as well.