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Grinch Poke Cake Recipe

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4.4 from 6 reviews

This festive Grinch Poke Cake is a vibrant and fun dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a neon green cake base with a surprise red cheesecake pudding filling poked throughout, it is topped with a luscious green buttercream frosting and colorful sprinkles. The combination of bright colors and creamy textures makes it a standout treat that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • Ingredients from the cake mix box (water, oil, eggs)
  • Neon green gel food coloring (generous amount)

Pudding Filling

  • 3.4 oz cheesecake instant pudding mix
  • 2 cups milk
  • Red gel food coloring (generous amount)

Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (plus more as needed)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Neon green gel food coloring (generous amount)

Decorations

  • Green sprinkles
  • Jumbo heart sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare baking dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside to ensure easy cake removal and cleanup.
  2. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) to get it ready for baking the cake.
  3. Mix and color cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the white cake mix along with the water, oil, and eggs according to the box instructions. Add a generous amount of neon green gel food coloring and whisk until the color is fully incorporated and you achieve your desired neon shade.
  4. Bake the cake: Pour the colored batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the time indicated on the cake mix box, usually around 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  5. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature, ensuring the pudding filling doesn’t melt when added.
  6. Poke holes: Using a large straw or the skinny end of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly throughout the entire cake surface to create spaces for the pudding filling.
  7. Prepare pudding filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cheesecake instant pudding mix with 2 cups of milk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  8. Color the pudding: Add a generous amount of red gel food coloring to the pudding and whisk thoroughly until you attain your desired vibrant red shade.
  9. Fill the holes: Using a food syringe, turkey baster, or spoon, carefully spoon the red pudding filling into each hole poked in the cake, ensuring all holes are filled.
  10. Chill to set: Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the pudding filling to firm up and meld with the cake.
  11. Make the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and a generous amount of neon green gel food coloring. Gradually add about half of the powdered sugar to the butter mixture and mix well.
  12. Complete frosting: Continue adding the remaining powdered sugar alternately with small amounts of whole milk, mixing until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar or milk as needed.
  13. Frost the cake: Spread the neon green frosting evenly over the top of the chilled cake using an offset spatula or knife.
  14. Decorate: Sprinkle green sprinkles and jumbo heart sprinkles generously over the frosting for a festive finishing touch.
  15. Refrigerate and serve: Return the cake to the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • If you prefer, use homemade white cake batter instead of box mix for a from-scratch version.
  • Adjust the amount of gel food coloring according to the intensity of color desired.
  • Ensure the cake is fully cooled before poking holes and adding pudding to prevent melting.
  • Use a sturdy straw or wooden utensil to create uniform holes for even pudding distribution.
  • Refrigerate the cake covered to keep it fresh and maintain the vibrant colors.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/grinch-poke-cake-recipe/