Grinch Poke Cake

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A festive Grinch Poke Cake with bright green cake, red cheesecake pudding filling, and fluffy frosting. It’s an easy holiday dessert that’s perfect for Christmas parties and a fun way to spread holiday joy.

I had so much fun creating new poke cakes after seeing how popular my Triple Lemon Poke Cake became and the excitement over my 15 Best Poke Cake Recipes, I couldn’t resist bringing that same easy, delicious Christmas poke cake magic to the holidays, with a Grinchy twist, of course!

This Grinch Poke Cake is a festive treat inspired by everyone’s favorite holiday grump who eventually finds his heart. It features a bright green cake filled with red cheesecake pudding that peeks through like the Grinch’s growing heart. It’s topped with fluffy green frosting and festive sprinkles, making it perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or any cozy movie night!

Why I love this recipe

• It’s ridiculously easy to make – Starting with a cake mix means less measuring and mixing, so I can have this gorgeous dessert ready without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Kids absolutely adore it – The bright colors and popularity of the Grinch movie make this cake an instant hit with little ones.
• Perfect for stress-free entertaining – I can make this ahead of time and keep it refrigerated, which means one less thing to worry about when hosting.

Ingredients

• White cake mix plus ingredients listed on the box (water, oil, eggs)
• Neon green and red gel food coloring – Use gel food coloring, not liquid, for vibrant color
• Cheesecake instant pudding mix – be sure to get instant pudding, not traditional
• Milk – For mixing with the pudding
• Unsalted butter – Should be softened to room temperature
• Powdered sugar – Gradually added to create smooth frosting
• Vanilla extract – Adds flavor to the frosting
• Green sprinkles and jumbo heart sprinkles – finishes the Grinch-theme perfectly!

Step by step

1. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Add a generous amount of neon green gel food coloring and whisk until the color is fully blended and you reach your desired shade of green.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the instructions on the box, following the recommended baking time.

1. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely. Use the end of a wooden spoon or a large straw to poke holes evenly throughout the cake.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cheesecake pudding mix and milk until smooth. Add red gel food coloring and whisk until you reach your desired red shade.
3. Using a food syringe, turkey baster, or similar tool, fill the holes in the cake with the red pudding. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let it set.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract, neon green gel food coloring, and half of the powdered sugar.
5. Gradually add the remaining sugar, alternating with small amounts of milk, until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. If it turns too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken.
6. Spread the green frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Top with green sprinkles and jumbo heart sprinkles for a festive finish.
7. Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve.

Storage

Store the Grinch poke cake covered in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and maintain the best texture. The cake will stay delicious for up to four days when properly refrigerated.

If you need to make this ahead of time, you can prepare the entire poke cake up to two days before serving. Just wait to add the final sprinkle decorations until closer to serving time so they stay crisp and colorful.

I don’t recommend freezing this particular cake since the pudding filling and frosting don’t freeze well, and the texture can become grainy when thawed.

If you try this recipe please comment and give it a 5-star rating below, I love hearing from you!