Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! Chocolate, strawberry, or lemon cake mixes all work beautifully in this recipe. Just adjust your pudding flavor to complement your cake choice – chocolate pudding for chocolate cake, for instance.

What if I don't have Peeps or Cadbury eggs?

No worries! Any Easter-themed candies work well. Try jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, or even colorful sprinkles. The beauty of this cake is its adaptability.

Can I make this cake without food coloring?

Definitely. The cake will be just as delicious without colored pudding or green coconut. You can leave the coconut white for a "snow" effect or skip it altogether and use additional Easter candies for decoration.

Why is pudding mix used in the frosting?

The dry pudding mix stabilizes the whipped cream, giving it structure so it doesn't deflate or weep. It also adds flavor and a silky texture that makes this frosting special.

Easter Poke Cake Recipe

Description

This delightful Easter Poke Cake is as fun to make as it is to eat! Featuring a fluffy white cake base, creamy pudding filling, and festive decorations like colored coconut and Cadbury Mini Eggs, it’s the perfect centerpiece for your Easter dessert spread. Kids and adults alike will love this vibrant and flavorful treat!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Cake

1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients required to prepare the mix)

Filling

3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups milk

Frosting

2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup instant vanilla pudding mix (dry)

Topping

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Green, pink, and purple food coloring (optional)
30 Cadbury Mini Eggs
15 Peeps Bunnies

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Instructions

Prepare the Cake
Preheat the oven and prepare the white cake mix according to the instructions on the box for a 9×13-inch cake pan. Bake the cake and allow it to cool completely.
Poke Holes
Once the cake is cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the top of the cake, going about halfway down.
Prepare the Pudding
In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes. Divide the prepared pudding into smaller bowls if you’d like to add food coloring, and mix in desired colors.
Fill the Holes
Pipe or spoon the pudding into the holes on the cake, ensuring each one is filled. Then, spread any remaining pudding evenly over the top of the cake using a rubber spatula.
Make the Frosting
In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and dry pudding mix. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Spread the frosting evenly over the pudding layer.
Prepare the Coconut Topping
Place the shredded coconut into a large Ziploc bag, add several drops of green food coloring, and shake until the coconut is dyed evenly. Sprinkle the colored coconut over the top of the frosting.
Add the Decorations
Decorate the cake by placing Cadbury Mini Eggs and Peeps Bunnies on top.

Notes

If you’d prefer a non-pudding filling option, you can poke the cake with a fork while it is still warm and pour a 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk over the top instead.
To create more vibrant colors, use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 380
Sugar: 35g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 30mg