Cherry Poke Cake
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Poke cakes are some of my most popular recipes and we’re excited about latest: Cherry Poke Cake – a delicious new version that’s bursting with flavor. The tangy cherry Jell-o pairs perfectly with fresh lime zest. We’ve been making poke cakes for years because they are impressive, yet easy enough for a novice to bake. This new flavor combination is like summertime on a plate.
Cherry Limeade Cake
Poke cakes are some of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. They start with a simple sheet cake from a box mix. Who can mess that up? By the time you add flavorful fillings and tasty toppings, you end up with a very impressive and delicious dessert, with very little work.
If you’re a fan of the sweet and tangy flavors of an icy cold cherry limeade, you’re going to love this poke cake recipe. This delightful treat takes those same refreshing flavors and combines them with a moist and fluffy cake. With vibrant colors and tangy fruitiness, this cherry limeade poke cake is perfect for your next gathering, potluck, or as I tell my kids – a “just because” dessert.
If you’d like to try other poke cake recipes, make sure you check out this Strawberry Poke Cake, this Banana Pudding Poke, and this Oreo Poke Cake.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy cake recipe – This is a quick and easy dessert to make using a box white cake mix base.
- Flavors – The subtle lime flavor in the soda pairs perfectly with the tangy cherry Jello. It tastes just like a tall, icy glass of cherry limeade.
- Light and refreshing – This amazingly light and refreshing dessert tastes just like summer.
Ingredients
- Box of white cake mix – You’ll use this as a base for the cake.
- Lemon-lime soda – You can use 7UP, Sprite, or any brand you prefer. Do not use diet soda, as it will alter the taste.
- Vegetable oil – Adds moisture to the cake.
- Egg whites – Helps create a light and fluffy cake.
- Lime zest – Add to the cake batter for extra lime flavor.
- Cherry Jell-O – This flavored gelatin with boiling water is what you’ll use for the filling.
- Thawed whipped topping – This makes the topping for the cake.
- Maraschino cherries and lime slices – Added to the top of the whipped cream for garnish.
How to Make Cherry Poke Cake
Step One: Mix Cake Batter and Bake the Cake
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Use baking spray to grease a 9 x 13 inch pan (you can use a nonstick pan instead.)
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, soda, oil, egg whites, and zest of one lime with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cake cool.
Step Two: Make the Cherry Gelatin
- As the cake cools, bring the cold water to a boil and combine it with the cherry gelatin in a medium bowl. Stir the gelatin mixture until it is dissolved.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon, or wooden skewers, to poke holes all over the cake. Next, pour the cherry mixture into the holes.
Step Four: Frost
- Spread the whipped topping over the top of the cake.
- Garnish with cherries and the zest of a lime or lime peel twists
- Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Cherry Limeade Cake Variations
- Cake – We used white cake mix, but you can use yellow cake mix if you prefer.
- Filling – If you’re not a fan of cherry cake, you can use strawberry or other Jell-O flavors you like.
- Topping – If you want an extra decadent treat, swap the whipped topping with your favorite fluffy white frosting or homemade cream cheese frosting.
- Other add-ins – You can add extra flavor to the filling by adding a little bit of cherry juice from the maraschino cherries and a couple of tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
Storage Instructions
Store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it because the texture changes a good bit.
Can I Make this Cake in Advance?
You sure can! That is one of the best things about this recipe. You can make it a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge.
Can I Make Cupcakes With This Recipe?
You sure can. Just make the cupcake batter using the same directions as you did for this cake. Once the cupcakes have cooled, poke them with wooden skewer to make the holes. Spoon the liquid jello mixture over the tops, and finish them off with whipped cream and lime zest.
Why Is It Called Poke Cake?
If you’ve never heard of a poke cake before, they are basically a sheet cake that you poke large holes in. Then you pour liquid Jello or pudding mixture over the top of the cake and allow it to seep down into the holes.
More Easy Cake Recipes
Cherry Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
- 1 ¼ cups lemon-lime soda such as Sprite
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- zest of 1 lime
- 3 ounce box cherry-flavored gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, soda, oil, egg whites, and zest of one lime until combined.15.25 ounce box white cake mix, 1 ¼ cups lemon-lime soda such as Sprite, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 3 egg whites, zest of 1 lime
- Pour batter into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cake cool.
- Meanwhile, combine the boiling water with the cherry gelatin and whisk until dissolved.3 ounce box cherry-flavored gelatin, 1 cup boiling water
- Using the end of a wooden spoon poke holes all over the cooled cake.
- Pour the cherry gelatin mix into the holes.
- Spread the whipped topping all over the top of the cake.8 ounces whipped topping
- Garnish with cherries and the zest of a lime.Maraschino cherries for garnish, lime slices for garnish
- Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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