The Jolliest Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake Recipe Ever

Festive winter gatherings spark excitement around this delightful christmas cranberry poke cake that brings joy to every celebration.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen with warm memories.

Layers of moist vanilla cake get transformed by tangy cranberry sauce drizzled through delicate holes.

Creamy white frosting creates a stunning contrast against ruby-red fruit accents.

Delicate crumbs absorb the vibrant cranberry glaze, creating incredible moisture and depth.

Each slice promises a perfect balance between tart and sweet flavors.

You won’t be able to resist sharing this delectable dessert with loved ones at holiday parties.

Why Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake Is A Holiday Favorite

• Create Festive Flair: This cranberry poke cake transforms a simple dessert into a stunning holiday centerpiece with vibrant colors and rich flavors.
• Customize with Ease: Add optional toppings like pecans and white chocolate to personalize the cake and enhance its visual appeal and taste profile.
• Master Holiday Baking: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers simple steps that guarantee a delicious and impressive dessert without complicated techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Combines classic cake elements with seasonal cranberry sauce, making it an irresistible treat that appeals to both kids and adults during winter gatherings.

What Goes Into Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides a light and fluffy foundation for the festive dessert.
• Water: Helps blend the cake mix ingredients smoothly.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tender texture in the cake.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure to the cake.
• Fresh Cranberries: Add bursts of tart flavor and festive color throughout the cake.

• Fresh Cranberries: Create a vibrant and tangy sauce that infuses the cake with holiday flavor.
• Sugar: Balances the tartness of the cranberries and adds sweetness.
• Water: Helps create the sauce consistency and cook the cranberries.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Provide a rich and creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a smooth frosting texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor to the frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve a light and spreadable consistency.

• Pecans, White Chocolate Shavings: Add extra crunch and decorative touch to the finished cake.

Making Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

Combine white cake mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a mixing bowl. Blend using an electric mixer until the batter becomes smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 3: Fold In Cranberries

Gently incorporate fresh cranberries into the cake batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.

Step 4: Bake The Cake

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it uniformly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 5: Craft Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberries
• Sugar
• Water

Simmer over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until berries burst and sauce thickens.

Step 6: Create Cake Holes

Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes after baking. Use a wooden spoon handle to poke evenly spaced holes across the entire cake surface.

Step 7: Infuse With Cranberry Sauce

Pour warm cranberry sauce over the cake, letting it seep into the holes for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 8: Initial Chilling

Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour to cool completely and allow flavors to meld together.

Step 9: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream

Beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Frost The Cake

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the chilled cake surface.

Step 11: Add Decorative Touches

Sprinkle chopped pecans and white chocolate shavings on top for added texture and visual appeal.

Step 12: Final Chilling

Refrigerate the cake for an additional 30 minutes to set the frosting before serving.

Tips For Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

• Boost Berry Flavor: Add extra fresh cranberries to the batter for more intense fruit taste and beautiful color bursts.
• Perfect Sauce Consistency: Simmer cranberry sauce slowly and stir frequently to achieve thick, glossy texture without burning.
• Hole Poking Technique: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or chopstick to create deep, evenly spaced holes for maximum sauce absorption.
• Frosting Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing to prevent lumpy frosting and achieve silky texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and make holiday entertaining easier.

Ways To Change Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

• Spiced Holiday Harmony: Replace fresh cranberries with dried cranberries and add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest to the cake batter for a warm, festive flavor profile.
• Winter Berry Burst: Swap white cake mix with yellow cake mix and incorporate a mixed berry compote instead of pure cranberry sauce for a more complex fruity experience.
• Chocolate Cranberry Dream: Modify the base recipe by using chocolate cake mix and adding dark chocolate chips to the batter, then top with cranberry sauce and chocolate cream cheese frosting.
• Nutty Seasonal Charm: Integrate almond extract into the cake batter and replace cream cheese frosting with a maple-pecan glaze, sprinkling toasted pecans across the cake’s surface for extra crunch.

What Matches With Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

• Enhance Festive Flavor Pairings
• Pair Sparkling Wine: Crisp champagne or prosecco complements the cake’s sweet-tart cranberry notes, cutting through the rich cream cheese frosting with elegant bubbles.
• Match Spiced Cinnamon Tea: Warm herbal tea with hints of cinnamon and clove beautifully echoes the cake’s holiday warmth, creating a cozy dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides delightful contrast to the cake’s warm spices and tangy cranberry sauce, balancing temperature and texture.
• Recommend Coffee Pairing: Dark roasted coffee with subtle caramel undertones enhances the cake’s sweetness and adds depth to the overall dessert enjoyment.

How To Save Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake For Later

• Store the Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its moist texture and fresh flavor.
• Keep the cake at room temperature for no more than 2 hours, especially if the cream cheese frosting contains dairy. For longer storage, always refrigerate to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the cake’s quality.

Answers For Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

• Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly. Just thaw and pat them dry before folding into the cake batter to prevent excess moisture.

• How do I know my cake is properly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. Golden edges and a slightly springy top are also good indicators.

• Is it necessary to poke holes in the cake?

Yes, poking holes allows the cranberry sauce to penetrate deeply, creating a moist and flavorful cake with bursts of cranberry throughout each slice.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cake a day in advance. Keep it refrigerated and covered, which actually helps the flavors develop and intensify overnight.

Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50-2 hours 2 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Merry christmas cranberry poke cake delivers festive cheer with its irresistible blend of tangy cranberries and sweet vanilla. Rich layers soaked in cranberry sauce promise a delightful holiday dessert you’ll savor to the last crumb.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups fresh cranberries

Cranberry Sauce Layer:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Topping and Frosting:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1/4 cup white chocolate shavings (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
2. Mix white cake mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs using an electric mixer until smooth and well-combined.
3. Gently fold fresh cranberries into the cake batter, ensuring even distribution.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly, then bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. While the cake bakes, prepare the cranberry sauce by combining cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
6. Simmer the cranberry mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until berries burst and sauce thickens.
7. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
8. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the entire cake surface.
9. Pour the warm cranberry sauce over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
10. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour to cool completely and let flavors meld.
11. Whip cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
12. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, beating until smooth and creamy.
13. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the chilled cake.
14. Optionally, sprinkle chopped pecans and white chocolate shavings on top for extra texture and decoration.
15. Chill the cake for an additional 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.

Notes

• Enhance berry flavor by briefly cooking cranberries before adding to batter, which concentrates their natural sweetness and reduces excess moisture.
• Prevent cranberries from sinking by lightly dusting them with flour before folding into cake mix, ensuring even distribution throughout the dessert.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting white cake mix with almond or coconut flour-based alternative, maintaining the cake’s light texture and festive taste.
• Modify frosting for dairy-free diets by replacing cream cheese and butter with vegan cream cheese and plant-based margarine, keeping the creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-42 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg