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Delicious Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

5 from 133 reviews

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.

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