Description
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 the sweetest way to spread holiday joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box white cake mix + ingredients from the back of the box (water, oil, eggs)
- neon green gel food coloring
- 1 (3.4 oz.) box of cheesecake instant pudding
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons milk, divided
- red gel food coloring
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- green sprinkles
- jumbo heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- 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.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the instructions on the box, following the recommended baking time.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spread the green frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Top with green sprinkles and jumbo heart sprinkles for a festive finish.
- Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Setting Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 39.5 g
- Sodium: 117.1 mg
- Fat: 12.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 41.7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 33.2 mg