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Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 139 reviews
  • Author: Alvarez
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-40 minutes (for baking cake, if homemade)
  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (including refrigeration time)
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cherry Vanilla Vampire Poke Cake is a festive and fun dessert perfect for Halloween or any spooky celebration. A moist white cake is transformed by poking holes all over the surface, then soaking it with cherry Jell-O to create a delightful burst of cherry flavor. Topped with creamy vanilla frosting, vibrant black and red decorating sugar, and crowned with cherry pie filling and playful vampire fang decorations, this cake is both visually striking and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

  • One 9×13 white cake (baked and cooled)

For the Cherry Filling

  • One 3 oz box of cherry Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • One can cherry pie filling

For the Topping

  • One tub prepared vanilla frosting (or a batch of homemade buttercream or 8 oz. whipped topping)
  • Black and red decorating sugar
  • Plastic vampire fangs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Surface: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large drinking straw to poke holes evenly over the entire surface of the cooled white cake. This allows the cherry Jell-O to seep deeply into the cake for added flavor and moisture.
  2. Make the Cherry Jell-O: In a mixing bowl, dissolve the cherry Jell-O powder in 1 cup boiling water. Stir well until fully dissolved. Then add 1/2 cup cold water to the mixture, which is less water than the usual instructions to create a more concentrated cherry flavor.
  3. Pour Jell-O Over Cake: Slowly pour the prepared cherry Jell-O over the cake, making sure to fill each hole and cover the entire surface of the cake. This step ensures the cake absorbs the cherry flavor throughout.
  4. Chill the Cake: Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it set overnight or for at least 3 to 4 hours. This chilling time lets the Jell-O fully absorb and solidify within the cake structure.
  5. Frost the Cake: Once the cake is chilled and the Jell-O has set, spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the top of the cake, covering the entire surface.
  6. Decorate: Sprinkle black and red decorating sugar over the frosted cake for a dramatic, festive look. Next, add dollops of cherry pie filling across the top of the cake.
  7. Add Finishing Touches: Place the plastic vampire fangs on top of the dollops of cherry pie filling for a spooky decorative effect perfect for Halloween.
  8. Serve: When serving, plate each slice of cake with additional cherry pie filling spooned on the side or drizzled to drip down the cake for extra flavor and presentation appeal.

Notes

  • For best results, use a white cake mix or your favorite homemade recipe for a tender crumb.
  • Adjust the amount of water used in preparing the Jell-O according to how strong you want the cherry flavor.
  • You can substitute the vanilla frosting with whipped topping for a lighter option.
  • The plastic vampire fangs are decorative and not edible; remove before eating or use as a fun cake topper.
  • Keep the cake refrigerated until serving to maintain the Jell-O texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

Find it online: https://mycopyrecipe.com/cherry-vanilla-vampire-poke-cake-recipe/