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Easter Pastel Poke Cake

Easter Pastel Poke Cake

The Easter Pastel Poke Cake is a vibrant and festive dessert perfect for spring and Easter celebrations. Featuring moist yellow or white cake layers swirled with pastel gel colors, it is infused with creamy instant pudding filling and topped with light whipped topping, offering a visually stunning and delicious treat that’s easy to customize and sure to impress.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base

  • 1 box yellow or white cake mix
  • Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)

Coloring

  • Pastel gel food coloring (pink, blue, yellow, green)

Pudding Filling

  • 1 package instant pudding mix (vanilla or flavor of choice)
  • 2 cups cold milk (for pudding mix)

Topping

  • 1 container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)

Optional Garnishes

  • Pastel-colored sugar crystals
  • Edible flowers
  • Tiny candy eggs
  • Chopped toasted nuts or candy pieces (for extra crunch)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bake the Cake – Prepare the cake batter according to the box instructions. Divide the batter into separate bowls and tint each portion with different pastel gel food colors. Gently swirl the tinted batters together in the pan, then bake as directed until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly.
  2. Step 2: Poke Holes – Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly and consistently across the warm cake while still in the pan to help the pudding mixture seep deep into the cake.
  3. Step 3: Prepare Pudding Mixture – In a bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with cold milk until thickened. Carefully pour or spoon the pudding mixture over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes for maximum flavor infusion.
  4. Step 4: Chill and Set – Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to let the pudding set inside and the flavors meld together.
  5. Step 5: Top with Whipped Topping – Spread whipped topping generously over the chilled cake for a creamy finish. Decorate with pastel sprinkles, edible flowers, or tiny candy eggs as desired.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant pastel shades that won’t thin the batter.
  • Poke holes evenly to ensure pudding is distributed throughout the cake.
  • Cool the cake slightly before adding pudding to prevent oversaturation and sogginess.
  • Chill the cake adequately to allow layers and flavors to set properly.
  • Fold whipped topping gently over the pudding layer for a light, fluffy texture.
  • Customize with fruit infusions, chocolate pudding, gluten-free or dairy-free substitutions, or add crunch with nuts or candies.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Can be adapted to Gluten Free or Vegan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Easter cake, pastel cake, poke cake, spring dessert, colorful cake, pudding cake, festive dessert, easy poke cake