Delicious Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

Introduction

Cherry poke cake is a fun and delicious dessert that combines moist yellow cake with sweet cherry filling and fluffy whipped cream. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for any occasion and sure to impress with its beautiful layers and bright flavors.

A square slice of pink cake sits on a white plate with a thin black drizzle at the bottom layer. The cake has two visible layers: the bottom layer is a soft pink sponge with bits of red and dark pieces inside, and the top layer is thick white cream. The cream is decorated with thin black chocolate drizzle in a grid pattern. A bright red cherry with a long stem sits on top of the cream. The plate rests on a white cloth with red dots, and the background features a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 box of yellow cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
  • 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
  • Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat on medium speed until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Step 4: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Use the end of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the cake.
  5. Step 5: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the cake, making sure it seeps into the holes.
  6. Step 6: Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until completely cool.
  7. Step 7: Before serving, spread whipped cream over the chilled cake and garnish with fresh cherries if desired.
  8. Step 8: Slice and serve chilled, enjoying the delicious layers of flavor.

Tips & Variations

  • Use cream cheese frosting instead of whipped cream for a richer texture.
  • Try other pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry for a twist.
  • Make sure to poke enough holes so the cherry filling really soaks in.

Storage

Store the cherry poke cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It tastes best chilled. If needed, reheat slightly at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the whipped cream topping.

How to Serve

A single square piece of cake sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The cake has two visible layers; the bottom layer is moist with pink and pale yellow swirls creating a marbled effect, and the top layer is a smooth, thick white cream frosting covering the entire surface. On top of the frosting, a single shiny deep red cherry with a long green stem stands upright, adding a pop of color. In the background, blurred pieces of similar cake with cherries can be seen, emphasizing the focus on the front slice. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix?

Yes, homemade yellow cake works great if you prefer baking from scratch. Just bake it in a 9×13-inch pan and follow the same steps for poking holes and adding cherry filling.

Can I freeze cherry poke cake?

While you can freeze the cake without whipped cream topping, it’s best to add the whipped cream after thawing for the best texture and flavor. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Print

Delicious Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

This Delicious Cherry Poke Cake is a moist yellow cake infused with sweet cherry pie filling. The cake is poked after baking to allow the cherry filling to seep in, creating a luscious, fruity dessert topped with light whipped cream and optional fresh cherry garnish. Perfect for parties and family gatherings, it’s easy to make and delightfully indulgent.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

  • 1 box of yellow cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water

For the Topping

  • 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
  • 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
  • Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
  2. Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat until the batter is smooth and well blended.
  3. Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
  4. Poke Holes: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Using the end of a wooden spoon or a skewer, gently poke holes all over the surface of the warm cake, spaced about an inch apart.
  5. Add Cherry Filling: Open the canned cherry pie filling and spread it evenly over the top of the cake, making sure the filling seeps into the holes you’ve poked to soak the cake thoroughly.
  6. Chill: Transfer the cake to the refrigerator and allow it to chill completely for at least 2 hours. This helps the flavors meld and firms up the cake for slicing.
  7. Top with Whipped Cream: Just before serving, spread the whipped cream or Cool Whip evenly over the top of the chilled cherry-soaked cake. Garnish with fresh cherries if desired for an extra pop of color and flavor.
  8. Serve: Slice the cake into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the moist, fruity layers with creamy topping in every bite.

Notes

  • You can substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
  • For an extra cherry flavor boost, add some cherry juice or liqueur to the pie filling before spreading it.
  • This cake is best served chilled but can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix.

Keywords: cherry poke cake, yellow cake with cherry filling, easy cherry dessert, poke cake recipe, baked cherry cake, homemade poke cake

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