Go Back
+ servings
Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake

Delicious Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake for a Festive Feast

This Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake is a magical dessert featuring fluffy cake soaked in tart cranberry sauce, crowned with whipped cream—perfect for the holidays.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version
  • 1 cup granulated sugar or organic cane sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder ensure it's fresh
  • 1 pinch salt can be omitted for low-sodium diets
  • 3 eggs or flax eggs for a vegan version
  • ½ cup unsalted butter or margarine/coconut oil for dairy-free
  • 1 cup milk or almond/oat milk for dairy-free
For the Cranberry Sauce
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries or canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract opt for pure vanilla extract
For the Topping
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of baking powder, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup of granulated sugar. In a separate bowl, beat together 3 eggs, ½ cup of melted unsalted butter, and 1 cup of milk until smooth and well blended. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until just combined to create a fluffy batter.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Prepare the cranberry sauce by combining 2 cups of fresh cranberries and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring gently until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool.
  4. Once the cake is out of the oven, cool for about 10-15 minutes. Use the end of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the surface of the cake.
  5. Pour the warm cranberry sauce evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Allow the cake to absorb the sauce for about 10 minutes.
  6. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  7. Just before serving, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with a teaspoon of vanilla extract until soft peaks form, then spread over the chilled cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

To enhance flavors, it's recommended to chill the cake overnight before serving.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!