Indulge in a truly delightful dessert experience with our Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake. This visually stunning and incredibly easy-to-make pudding poke cake combines the convenience of a cake mix with the creamy richness of instant pudding, topped with fluffy whipped topping and vibrant cherry pie filling. It’s a recipe that promises both beauty and amazing taste, perfect for any occasion!
Irresistible Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake: An Easy Recipe for Any Occasion
Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating the breathtaking Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake, a dessert that effortlessly marries simplicity with elegance. This recipe is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a celebration of vibrant flavors and contrasting textures, designed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this poke cake is a foolproof way to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Known for its striking red and white layers, the Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake is especially popular during the winter months and holiday season, but its refreshing taste makes it a year-round favorite. Imagine a moist, tender white cake generously infused with smooth white chocolate pudding, then crowned with a cloud of whipped topping and glistening cherry pie filling. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet, creamy, and fruity notes, creating a dessert that feels both comforting and luxurious.
What is a Poke Cake and Why is This Recipe a Must-Try?
A poke cake is a classic dessert concept where holes are “poked” into a freshly baked cake, and then a liquid, like pudding, gelatin, or sweetened condensed milk, is poured over to soak into the cake, making it incredibly moist and flavorful. This technique ensures every bite is infused with an extra layer of deliciousness and often creates beautiful patterns when sliced.
Our Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake stands out for several reasons:
- Effortless Preparation: Starting with a convenient cake mix and instant pudding, this recipe cuts down on prep time significantly, making it ideal for busy schedules or last-minute dessert needs.
- Stunning Presentation: The contrast of the bright red cherries against the pristine white cake and whipped topping creates a visual masterpiece that’s perfect for any festive table. It truly lives up to its “Cherries in the Snow” name.
- Irresistible Texture: The cake remains wonderfully moist thanks to the pudding soaking into the holes, offering a delightful combination of soft cake, creamy pudding, and the subtle chewiness of the cherry filling.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic pairing of white cake and cherry is universally loved, ensuring this dessert will be a hit with family and friends.
- Versatility: While delightful on its own, this cake serves as a fantastic base for various flavor explorations, allowing you to customize it to your taste.
Customize Your Creation: Flavor Variations and Tips
While the traditional “Cherries in the Snow” combination of white cake, white chocolate pudding, and cherry pie filling is absolutely divine, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different cake and pudding flavors to create your own unique poke cake masterpiece!
Exciting Flavor Combinations to Try:
- French Vanilla Delight: For a slightly richer, more aromatic experience, swap the white cake mix and white chocolate pudding for French vanilla varieties. This creates a wonderfully fragrant cake that still pairs beautifully with the cherry topping.
- Chocolate Cherry Indulgence: Transform this dessert into a decadent “Cherries in the Mud” cake by using a chocolate cake mix and chocolate instant pudding. The rich chocolate and tart cherry combination is a timeless classic that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Tropical Twist: Substitute cherry pie filling with pineapple or peach pie filling, and use a yellow cake mix with vanilla or coconut pudding for a sunny, tropical-inspired poke cake.
- Lemon Zest: For a refreshing, tangy dessert, use a lemon cake mix with lemon pudding, and pair it with a light berry topping like blueberry or raspberry pie filling.
- Cheesecake Dream: As a special note, cheesecake flavored instant pudding works exceptionally well in this recipe, adding an extra layer of creamy decadence that complements the cherries perfectly. It’s a fantastic alternative if you want to elevate the dessert without added complexity.
Remember, the beauty of a poke cake lies in its flexibility. Feel free to mix and match cake flavors, pudding types, and fruit toppings to suit your personal preferences or the occasion.
Ingredients Needed for Your Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake:
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to make our classic Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake. Make sure to check the specific requirements on your cake mix box for precise measurements of wet ingredients.
- 1 box white cake mix: Your preferred brand.
- Ingredients needed to make cake: Typically egg whites, oil, and water (as per cake mix package directions).
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant white chocolate pudding: Ensure it’s instant pudding for quick setting.
- 2 cups cold milk: Essential for preparing the instant pudding to the right consistency.
- 1 (8 ounce) tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed: Provides a light, airy, and creamy top layer.
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling: The star of the show, offering that vibrant color and delicious cherry flavor.
How to Make Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake: Step-by-Step
Crafting this beautiful poke cake is a straightforward process, designed for maximum enjoyment with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps to bring your Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake to life.
- Bake the Cake Base: Begin by preparing and baking your white cake mix according to the package directions. Use a 9×13-inch baking dish for the perfect size. Allow the cake to cool for about 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven – it should still be warm when you proceed to the next step.
- Poke the Holes: While the cake is still warm, use the end of a wooden spoon or a similar size utensil (such as a round chopstick or the handle of a spatula) to gently poke holes across the entire surface of the cake. Aim for holes that are about an inch or so apart, ensuring even distribution. These holes are crucial for allowing the pudding to seep in, creating that signature moistness.
- Prepare the Pudding: In a medium-sized bowl, combine 2 cups of cold milk with the dry instant white chocolate pudding mix. Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. It’s important to use cold milk to help the pudding set properly and quickly.
- Stir Until Smooth: Continue stirring the pudding until it reaches a smooth, consistent texture, free of any lumps.
- Pour and Spread the Pudding: Carefully pour the prepared pudding over the warm, poked cake. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the pudding around, ensuring it fills all the holes. Lightly press the pudding into the holes to help it absorb into the cake.
- Evenly Distribute Pudding: Continue to spread the pudding to create an even layer over the entire cake surface.
- Chill the Cake: Place the entire cake, still in its baking dish, into the refrigerator for at least two hours. This crucial step allows the pudding to fully set and penetrate the cake, and ensures the cake is completely cooled before adding the whipped topping. A well-chilled cake makes for cleaner layers and a better overall texture.
- Add Whipped Topping: Once the cake is completely cooled and the pudding has set, take it out of the fridge. Gently spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Aim for a smooth, uniform surface – this white layer will serve as your “snow.”
- Top with Cherry Pie Filling: Now for the vibrant “cherries”! Dollop spoonfuls of cherry pie filling over the whipped topping. You don’t need to cover every square inch; in fact, allowing some of the white whipped topping to peek through enhances the “Cherries in the Snow” aesthetic. You can swirl it gently for a more artistic look, or simply spoon it on top.
- Slice and Serve: Once all layers are assembled, your Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake is ready! Slice into generous portions and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Poke Cake
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can lead to a dry cake, which will be less effective at absorbing the pudding. Always follow package directions and check for doneness with a toothpick.
- Warm Cake, Cold Pudding: Poking holes while the cake is warm allows the pudding to seep in more effectively. However, ensure your milk for the pudding is cold so it sets properly.
- Even Poking: Try to poke holes uniformly across the cake. This ensures every slice gets a consistent burst of pudding-infused flavor and moisture.
- Thorough Chilling: The chilling step is not optional! It allows the pudding to fully set and bind with the cake, and ensures the whipped topping remains firm when applied.
- Thawed Whipped Topping: Make sure your whipped topping is fully thawed but still cold before spreading. This will make it easier to spread smoothly without tearing the cake.
- Creative Garnishes: Enhance the presentation with a sprinkle of white chocolate shavings, fresh mint leaves, or a few whole maraschino cherries on top of each slice.
Storage and Make-Ahead Guide
This delightful cake is perfect for preparing in advance, making it an excellent choice for parties and gatherings.
- Refrigeration is Key: Due to the pudding and whipped topping, this cake absolutely must be kept refrigerated. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out or absorbing refrigerator odors.
- Shelf Life: Stored properly in the refrigerator, Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days.
- Make-Ahead Tips: You can bake the cake and poke the holes the day before, then prepare and pour the pudding, letting it chill overnight. Add the whipped topping and cherry pie filling just a few hours before serving for the freshest look.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherries in the Snow Poke Cake
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, absolutely! Homemade whipped cream (heavy cream whipped with a little sugar and vanilla) would be a fantastic, fresh alternative to Cool Whip. Just be aware that homemade whipped cream can be a bit more delicate and might not hold up as long as stabilized whipped topping. If using homemade, it’s best to add it closer to serving time.
What if I don’t have a wooden spoon for poking holes?
No problem! Any round, blunt object of a similar size will work. The handle of a whisk, a chopstick, or even the back of a small measuring spoon can be used. The goal is to create consistent holes for the pudding to penetrate.
Can I use sugar-free ingredients?
Yes, you can certainly use sugar-free cake mix, instant pudding, and whipped topping to reduce the sugar content. The taste and texture might vary slightly, but it will still be a delicious dessert.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
While fresh cherries are delicious, cherry pie filling provides a thick, glossy, and slightly sweetened layer that complements the cake’s texture. If you want to use fresh cherries, you would need to cook them down with a little sugar and cornstarch to create a similar pie-filling consistency, or simply use them as a garnish on top of the pie filling layer.
My pudding didn’t set, what went wrong?
Ensure you’re using “instant” pudding, not cook-and-serve. Also, make sure your milk is cold, and you whisked the pudding for the recommended 2 minutes until it thickened. Sometimes, humidity can affect setting, but typically cold milk and instant pudding work wonders. If it’s still too thin, try chilling it longer.
Craving More Poke Cake Inspiration?
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of poke cakes, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of variations waiting to be explored. Check out these other fantastic poke cake recipes to keep your dessert game strong:
- Chocolate Poke Cake
- Heaven on Earth Cake
- Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
- Carrot Poke Cake
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Boston Cream Poke Cake
- Red Velvet Poke Cake
Cherries in the Snow Cake (+Video)
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Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- ingredients needed to make cake; egg whites, oil and water
- 3.4 ounce box instant white chocolate pudding
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Prepare and bake cake according to package directions for a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- When cake is finished baking, while still warm, poke holes in cake using the end of a wooden spoon or something of a similar size.
- In a bowl, combine 2 cups of milk with dry instant pudding mix.
- Pour pudding into the holes of the warm cake. Spread pudding around and gently press pudding into holes of the cake.
- Put the cake into the fridge for a couple of hours to finish cooling completely.
- Once cake is completely cooled, start spreading on whipped topping.
- Then dollop the cherry pie filling on top of cake. The pie filling won’t cover every square inch of the cake. You want that white to peep through.
- Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- This cake must be kept refrigerated.
- Cheesecake flavored pudding also works really well with this cake.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: January 2013
Updated & republished: December 2019