Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, spooky, yet irresistibly delicious dessert to wow your friends or family, this Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe is hands down a showstopper. It’s got this incredible combination of cherry sweetness and creamy vanilla that just melts into every bite—and the “vampire” twist with the fangs and red sugar gives it that perfect Halloween vibe without being over the top. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be a cake you keep coming back to for parties or whenever you want to surprise someone with something magical.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe really comes down to how the flavors come together, and the ingredients are super straightforward. The key is choosing a moist white cake and good quality cherry pie filling to bring that extra burst of fruitiness.

• White Cake: I like to use a homemade or store-bought 9×13 white cake that’s fully cooled to ensure the poke effect works perfectly.
• Cherry Jell-O: The cherry flavor adds that vampy red color and juicy sweetness—don’t skip this!
• Vanilla Frosting: Whether you go for store-bought or whip up some buttercream, it adds a lovely creamy balance.
• Black and Red Decorating Sugar: This is your secret weapon for that eerie blood-spattered effect.
• Cherry Pie Filling: Spoonfuls of this are absolute game changers for juicy, chunky bites.
• Plastic Vampire Fangs: Totally optional but they make for super fun garnishes and conversation starters.

Variations

I love that this recipe is so adaptable—you can easily swap or add things to make it your own. When I first shared this at a Halloween potluck, someone suggested swapping cherry for raspberry Jell-O which worked beautifully. So I say, have fun with it!

• Fruit Variations: I’ve tried blackberry or raspberry gelatin instead of cherry, giving the cake a slightly different berry twist that’s just as delicious.
• Frosting Switch: For a lighter option, swap vanilla buttercream for whipped topping—my family’s favorite on a hot day.
• Dietary Mods: Gluten-free cake mix and sugar-free Jell-O can adapt this for special diets with great success.
• Spooky Decorations: Swap out fangs for candy eyes or red sprinkles for edible glitter for different party themes.

How to Make Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe

Step 1: Poke and Prepare Your Cake

Once your 9×13 white cake has completely cooled (this is super important—warm cake ruins the poke effect!), grab the handle of a wooden spoon or a large drinking straw. I like the wooden spoon handle because it’s sturdy and gives nice, wide holes. Go ahead and poke holes all over the cake’s surface—make sure you reach the edges but don’t overdo it and risk breaking the cake apart. These holes will soak up the cherry Jell-O, giving you that juicy burst in every bite.

Step 2: Mix and Pour the Cherry Jell-O

The cherry Jell-O is the heart of this recipe, so getting it just right matters. Instead of the usual amount of water the box says, I discovered that using 1 cup boiling water and only ½ cup cold water concentrates the flavor and helps the Jell-O set up better inside the cake. Stir until the powder is fully dissolved—no granules! Pour the mixture evenly over the cake, making sure that each hole gets filled. You’ll see the Jell-O pooling in the holes and soaking in—the effect looks so cool and is deliciously juicy.

Step 3: Let It Chill and Set

Cover your cake loosely with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least 3-4 hours, but I recommend leaving it overnight. This resting time not only lets the Jell-O set perfectly but lets those flavors marry in the best way. The texture comes together beautifully—soft but with that juicy jamboree inside.

Step 4: Frost, Decorate, and Top

Right before serving, slather a generous layer of vanilla frosting over the top. I usually spread it thick enough to cover the red Jell-O surface but not so thick that it overwhelms the cake. Next, sprinkle black and red decorating sugar liberally for that dramatic, spooky flair. The final crowning touch is dollops of cherry pie filling scattered over the surface—these pockets of gooey fruitiness are my favorite part. For the Halloween vibe that makes this recipe so fun, place plastic vampire fangs eerily perched on top of the pie filling dollops. It’s fun, unexpected, and totally Instagram-worthy!

How to Serve Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for simple yet dramatic garnishes here: the black and red decorating sugar sprinkled over the vanilla frosting is my go-to. It mimics the “blood-spattered” look that’s perfect for vampire themes, but I also add fresh cherries or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an unexpected elegant touch when I want it less spooky.

Side Dishes

This cake is quite rich, so my favorite side pairings are light and fresh—think a crisp green salad or some tart lemon sorbet to cleanse your palate. If you’re serving it at a party, fresh fruit skewers make a great counterpoint and keep things balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a Halloween bash, I served this cake on a vintage silver tray surrounded by dry ice fog and flickering battery-operated candles. The vampire fangs looked extra chilling illuminated by the soft glow—everyone loved the theatrics! You could also cut it into vampire bite-sized squares and individually garnish each piece for easy party platters.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator, where it keeps nicely for up to 3 days. Because of the Jell-O, the cake stays moist without drying out, but the frosting can firm up, so letting it sit a bit at room temperature before serving brings back that perfect softness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen poke cakes before, but with this Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe, I recommend freezing before you add the frosting and toppings. Slice it into portions, wrap well in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. Thaw completely in the fridge, then add your frosting and decorations fresh to keep the best texture and looks.

Reheating

Since this is a cold, Jell-O based cake, reheating isn’t usually needed or recommended. Instead, just let refrigerated leftovers come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving—it really helps soften the frosting and lets the flavors shine.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe turns out every time—it’s one of those desserts that feels special yet totally achievable. When I first tried making it, I was hooked on how the simple act of poking holes and pouring Jell-O transformed a normal cake into a juicy, festive masterpiece. It’s got this playful vibe that always gets people smiling and coming back for seconds. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both fun to make and irresistibly tasty, I can’t recommend this enough. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy and crowd-pleasing this spooky treat really is!

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