Easter is a time of happiness, family gatherings and of course, delicious desserts! If you’re in search of an enjoyable, vibrant and simple to make Easter dessert then this Easter Poke Cake is a great option. With vivid pastel shades and an incredibly moist cake base and a creamy frosting it is not just eye-catching, but irresistibly delicious..
It doesn’t matter if you’re making it for Easter brunch or for a springtime gathering or perhaps transforming it into an Unicorn cake or Rainbow Cake for a birthday party, this easy step-by-step recipe will ensure that your cake comes out perfect each time.
Let’s get started and create the most delicious Easter Poke Cake ever!
Why You’ll Love This Easter Poke Cake
Easy to Make – Uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly.Fun & Colorful – Perfect for Easter, birthdays, and celebrations.Super Moist & Delicious – Thanks to the pudding filling!Customizable – Change the colors and flavors to fit any occasion.Kid-Friendly – A great baking project for little helpers.
Ingredients for Easter Poke Cake
Here’s the ingredients you’ll need to create the delicious and fun Poke Cake for Easter. Poke Cake:
Cake Base:
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix (plus the ingredients on the box (eggs, oil, and water)
- Food coloring in pastel Easter shades (pink, blue, green, purple)
Pudding Filling:
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Topping:
- 1 tub (8 8 oz) Cool Whip or homemade whipping cream
- Colored sugar or Easter sprinkles as decoration
- Mini chocolate egg, marshmallow peeps, or other fun toppings (optional)

How to Make Easter Poke Cake – Step by Step
Step1: Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven at 350degF (175degC) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make cakes mix in accordance with the directions on the package.
- Divide the batter equally among four small bowls.
- Include a few drops of various food colorings in pastels into each bowl, and mix thoroughly.
- Incorporate the various colors of batter into the cake pan, creating an tie-dye effect or rainbow.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to gently swirl the colors (do not mix too much! ).
- Bake in accordance with the instructions on the package, typically about 25-30 mins until a toothpick inserted into the middle is clear.
Step2: Poke the Cake & Add the Filling
- Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes.
- Make use of your end of the spoon to poke holes throughout the cake, approximately 1 inch from each other.
- A mixing bowl mix together in a mixing bowl the instant pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes until the mixture is thickened.
- Spread the pudding mix all over the cake, making sure it covers the gaps.
- Cool the cake in the refrigerator for 30- 60 minutes so that the pudding has time to be set.
Step3: Add the Whipped Topping & Decorations
- Distribute over the Cool Whip (or homemade whipping cream) evenly over the cake.
- Sprinkle with fun Easter eggs, sprinkles of colored sugar or coconut crumbles.
- You can add additional decorations such as miniature Easter eggs made of chocolate, peeps and edible sparkle to give your Easter eggs a fun extra zing.
Pro Tips for the Best Easter Poke Cake
Make use of gel food coloring to create vivid colors, but without thinning the batter.Chill prior to serving for the most taste and texture.Make the cake ahead – The cake will be even better the next day! different flavors. Use chocolate cake mix or substitute the vanilla pudding with White chocolate or cheesecake pudding.Add coconut flavor by mixing coconut extract with the whipped topping, and then sprinkle coconut shredded on top for additional Easter-inspired flavor.
Best Ways to Serve Easter Poke Cake
This cake is great by itself, but you could also pair it with fresh berries. Strawberries or raspberries enhance the sweetness.Vanilla Ice cream – A rich contrast to the creamy cake.Coffee or tea is a delightful afternoon snack.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~280
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Sugar: 30g
Note that nutritional values are estimates and could vary depending on specific ingredients that are used.
Storage & Leftovers
How to Store
- Refrigerate: Store covered in the refrigerator until three days.
- Freeze: Wrap slices individually and then freeze them up to 1 month. up to a month.
Reheat
- Drink cold straight from the refrigerator or let it rest on the counter at room temp at least about 10 mins prior to serving.
FAQs – Common Questions About Easter Poke Cake
Q Do I have to make my own cake instead of the boxed cake mixes?
A: Absolutely! Make use of your preferred homemade vanilla or white cake recipe..
Q Do I have the ability to prepare this cake ahead of the time?
A: Yes! It’s best if it is chilled for a couple of hours, making it an ideal to make ahead dessert.
A: What else can I make instead of pudding?
A: Try making use of sugar-sweetened condensed milk or yogurt with a flavor to create a different flavor of filling.
Q: Can I use buttercream in place of whip topping?
A: Yes! Light buttercream frosting is fantastic for those who prefer a more rich topping.
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Final Thoughts
Once you’ve figured out how to create the most delicious Easter poke cakes now is the time to add some bright festive fun to your tables! Whether you’re baking for a birthday, Easter or just a simple sweet treat for the weekend This delicious and moist cake is bound to be a big hit.
Did you try This recipe? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to tag us on social media using @optimalrecipes. Happy Baking!
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Easter Poke Cake – Best Easy Easter Dessert Recipe
Description
Easter is a time for joy, family gatherings, and, of course, delicious desserts! If you’re looking for a fun, colorful, and easy-to-make Easter dessert, this Easter Poke Cake is the perfect choice. With vibrant pastel colors, a moist cake base, and a creamy topping, this cake is not only eye-catching but also irresistibly delicious.
Whether you’re making it for an Easter brunch, a springtime gathering, or even transforming it into a Unicorn or Rainbow Cake for a birthday, this simple step-by-step recipe will ensure your cake turns out perfectly every time.
Let’s dive in and make the best Easter Poke Cake ever!
Ingredients
Cake Base:
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, and water)
- Food coloring in pastel Easter shades (pink, blue, green, purple)
Pudding Filling:
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Topping:
- 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream
- Easter sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration
- Mini chocolate eggs, marshmallow Peeps, or other festive toppings (optional)
Instructions
Step1: Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions.
- Divide the batter evenly into 4 small bowls.
- Add a few drops of different pastel food coloring to each bowl and mix well.
- Spoon the different colors of batter randomly into the cake pan to create a tie-dye or rainbow effect.
- Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the colors gently (do not overmix!).
- Bake according to the box instructions, usually 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step2: Poke the Cake & Add the Filling
- Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened.
- Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring it fills the holes.
- Refrigerate the cake for 30-60 minutes to allow the pudding to set.
Step3: Add the Whipped Topping & Decorations
- Spread the Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) evenly over the cake.
- Sprinkle with festive Easter sprinkles, colored sugar, or coconut flakes.
- Add extra decorations like mini chocolate eggs, Peeps, or edible glitter for a fun Easter touch.
Equipment

2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
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Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
Chill before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Make it ahead – This cake tastes even better the next day!
Try different flavors – Use chocolate cake mix or swap the vanilla pudding for cheesecake or white chocolate pudding.
Add coconut flavor – Mix coconut extract into the whipped topping and sprinkle shredded coconut for extra Easter vibes.