The Best-Ever Easter Poke Cake Recipe

Why Easter Poke Cake Deserves a Spot on Your Dessert Table

Alright, y’all — let’s talk Easter poke cake.

You know how Easter brunch is usually filled with ham, deviled eggs, and every pastel candy ever created? But then comes dessert… and you either get stuck with something too fancy to enjoy or something so basic it just feels like… meh?

Not anymore.

This Easter poke cake is the kinda treat that makes people pause mid-bite and go, “Wait… what is this?!” It’s got everything:

• Soft, fluffy cake
• Creamy fillings (think pudding, jello, or sweetened milk!)
• Dreamy whipped topping
• And that colorful, pastel-perfect vibe that screams “Instagram me!”

Plus, it’s super easy to make ahead, decorate with the kiddos, and play around with flavors (more on that later). Honestly, I brought this to our Easter potluck last year and it vanished faster than the deviled eggs — and that’s sayin’ something.

If you’re not already drooling, just wait ’til we poke some holes in this thing. Yep — that’s part of the process, and it’s fun.

Let’s get into it.

What Is an Easter Poke Cake, Anyway?

So you might be thinking, “Okay, but what even is a poke cake?” Great question — and no, it’s not a cake you just poke for fun (even though, yeah… we’re gonna poke it).

How “Poking the Cake” Makes a Perfect Spring Poke Cake

Here’s the deal: once your cake is baked, you take a wooden spoon or thick straw and literally poke holes all over it. Then — this is the fun part — you pour something yummy right into those holes. Think:

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Jello (any pastel color)
• Pudding (vanilla, lemon, coconut, you name it)

The filling seeps down inside and makes every single bite moist, flavorful, and just a little surprising. And when you cut into it? You get these beautiful swirls or streaks of color depending on what you used. It’s like tie-dye… but edible.

Why This Pastel Holiday Cake Is Perfect for Easter Sunday

Easter’s all about spring colors, sweet treats, and family time — and this cake brings it all together. It’s light but indulgent. Pretty but easy. And most importantly? It’s a dessert that everyone from Grandma to your toddler will want seconds of.

Plus, you can get creative with it — add Peeps on top, toss on some jelly beans, or keep it classic with pastel sprinkles. It’s basically a blank canvas for spring sugar happiness.

Want something even more creative to bring to the table? If you’re already making brunch, these egg-free cornbread stuffing recipes pair perfectly with a sweet ending like poke cake. Sweet + savory = Yummy.

Must-Have Ingredients for the Ultimate Easter Poke Cake

Whether you’re a box-mix believer or a scratch-made cake purist, this section’s got something for you. A poke cake isn’t complicated, but if one piece of the puzzle’s off, it can turn into a soggy, sad mess. Let’s not go there.

Cake Mix or Homemade? Picking the Right Base for Your Creamy Easter Dessert

Look, I’m not here to judge — boxed cake mix can absolutely hold its own, especially when you’re adding fillings and toppings. But if you’re feelin’ a little extra (maybe you’ve got time to spare while the ham’s roasting), scratch-made works beautifully too.

Here’s the lowdown:

Box Mix Pros:

• Faster
• Super consistent
• Easy to flavor (lemon, vanilla, strawberry — just grab the right box!)

Homemade Pros:

• Custom flavors (think vanilla almond or citrus blends)
• Richer texture
• Less preservatives

Pro Tip: For a classic Easter poke cake, I like using a white or yellow cake as the base — it’s neutral enough to let the filling flavor shine. But for a fresh spring twist? Lemon is chef’s kiss.

Jello, Pudding, or Sweetened Milk — What Goes Inside an Easter Poke Cake?

Ah, the fun part: the filling. This is where poke cake gets its signature moist texture and those hidden bursts of flavor that make it so addicting.

Here are the most popular filling options (and why they rock):

Jello

Great for color and fruity flavor. Use pastel colors like:

• Strawberry
• Lemon
• Berry blue
• Peach

Just mix the Jello powder with boiling water (not the cold water like usual), and pour it into the holes while the cake is still warm.

Instant Pudding

If you’re goin’ for creamy? This is the move. Vanilla, coconut cream, banana, even pistachio works. Mix it as directed, then pour it into the cake holes before it sets.

Want it extra creamy? Mix pudding with a little sweetened condensed milk for max richness (trust me, it’s basically cake and pudding had a baby).

Sweetened Condensed Milk or Evaporated Milk

This one’s like poke cake meets tres leches — super moist and rich. Pour it over warm cake and let it chill for at least 4 hours. Works especially well if you’re using whipped cream or Cool Whip as your topping.

Avoid sogginess: Don’t overfill the holes. A spoon or squeeze bottle gives you more control than pouring straight from the bowl (unless you want a cake flood ).

Toppings That Make Your Pastel Poke Cake Pop

Alright — cake’s baked, it’s filled with something sweet and colorful… now we bring the magic with toppings. Here are a few faves:

• Cool Whip or Whipped Cream – light, fluffy, and so easy to spread
• Pastel Sprinkles – gotta have that festive flair
• Mini chocolate eggs or jelly beans – extra Easter-y
• Toasted coconut flakes – for texture and tropical flavor
• Cream cheese frosting – if you’re feelin’ decadent

Want to go full Pinterest mode? Swirl on some pink and yellow colored whipped cream, pop a Peep on top, and boom — Easter centerpiece status unlocked.

Need inspo for other colorful desserts? This sweet potato pie recipe makes a great pairing if you want to go full-on dessert spread for Easter.

Step-by-Step Easter Poke Cake Recipe (With Fun Tips!)

You don’t need to be a pro baker to nail this. Trust me — even if your last cake was a store-bought sheet cake, this one’s still 100% doable (and way more fun).

Baking the Cake Base for Your Holiday Dessert

Alright, first things first. You gotta bake the cake before we poke it. I know, I know — patience is hard when there’s sugar involved.

What you need:

• 1 box of cake mix (white, yellow, or lemon work great)
• Eggs, oil, and water (whatever the box calls for)

Or if you’re going homemade:

• Go with your favorite vanilla or citrus cake recipe

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven (usually 350°F, but follow your mix/recipe).
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish (I love glass for even baking).
3. Mix up your batter and pour it into the pan.
4. Bake until a toothpick in the center comes out clean — about 25–30 mins.
5. Let it cool just a little — like 10 minutes max. You want it warm, not hot lava.

Tip: Don’t skip the greasing. If the cake sticks, the whole poke + pour vibe gets ruined real fast.

When and How to Poke Your Spring Poke Cake

Once your cake is warm, poke time begins. This is the part that gives the cake its name — and trust me, it’s actually kind of satisfying.

How to do it:

• Use the handle of a wooden spoon, a thick straw, or anything about ½-inch wide.
• Gently poke holes all over the cake — space them about 1 inch apart.
• Don’t poke too deep! You want to stop before hitting the bottom of the pan.

Tip: Try to go straight down so your filling doesn’t leak sideways or mess up the structure. (Been there, cleaned that up. Not fun.)

Filling the Holes of Your Jello Poke Cake Without the Mess

This is the part where the cake starts to transform. Whether you’re going with fruity Jello or creamy pudding, the process is the same.

If you’re using Jello:

1. Mix 1 small box of Jello with 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Stir until dissolved (skip the cold water!).
3. Slowly pour over the cake, aiming to get it into the holes.

If you’re using pudding:

1. Make your pudding but don’t let it set yet — it should be pourable.
2. Pour into the holes slowly with a spoon or squeeze bottle.

Don’t go wild — overfilling makes the bottom soggy. Pour just enough to fill the holes and lightly coat the top.

You’ll want to chill it in the fridge for 1–2 hours after this step so everything sets up before frosting. This is also your cue to sneak a snack or scroll TikTok while the cake does its thing.

Chill Time and Frosting Tips for the Best Creamy Poke Cake

Once chilled, it’s time to frost. And honestly? This is the most fun part — because we’re going full-on Easter cute mode here.

Frosting options:

• Cool Whip (classic, light, and easy to spread)
• Whipped cream cheese frosting (richer, but sooo good)
• Vanilla buttercream (if you want something thicker)

Decorating Tips:

• Swirl two pastel food colors into your whipped topping for a watercolor effect
• Add sprinkles, mini chocolate eggs, or a Peep or two
• Drizzle with colored glaze for a glossy look

Wanna keep it chill but cute? A simple white whipped topping with yellow and pink sprinkles screams spring party without the stress.

Oh, and heads up — this cake’s gonna be messy to cut… but that’s kinda the whole point.

Easter Poke Cake Ideas: Flavors and Fillings You’ll Want to Try

The best thing about poke cake? It’s a total canvas. You can go fruity, creamy, tangy, tropical — whatever your Easter crowd is into.

Here are some winning combos:

Lemon Raspberry Twist on Classic Easter Poke Cake

This one’s for the fruity dessert lovers.

How to make it:

• Use a lemon cake base
• Poke and fill with raspberry Jello or raspberry puree + sweetened milk
• Top with Cool Whip and fresh raspberries

Pro Tip: Add lemon zest to your frosting for that zingy finish. And if you like sweet-tart desserts, this one’s chef’s kiss.

Pastel Rainbow Jello Layers in Your Spring Poke Cake

Wanna impress the kids (and your Instagram)? This version’s all about color.

How to make it:

• Use a white cake base
• Split the cake into sections and fill each with a different pastel Jello color (lemon, blue raspberry, pink strawberry)
• Swirl colored Cool Whip on top

This cake is literally a party in every slice. It’s perfect for an Easter brunch table that’s got eggs, ham, and all the fixin’s.

Coconut Cream Variation for a Tropical-Style Easter Dessert

If you want something soft, creamy, and a little different — this one’s a sleeper hit.

How to make it:

• Use white cake mix
• Poke and fill with coconut cream pudding + a splash of coconut milk
• Top with Cool Whip and toasted coconut flakes

Fun Fact: This pairs amazingly with sweet potato dishes. Sweet + sweet, but not overpowering.

Fun Decorating Tips for a Gorgeous Easter Poke Cake

Now that your cake tastes amazing… let’s make it look like the Easter queen it is

Color Themes That Make Your Pastel Poke Cake Stand Out

Keep it classy with soft colors or go full-on Easter basket:

• Classy Vibes: White whipped topping + light yellow sprinkles + mini daisies
• Pastel Explosion: Mix pink, blue, green whipped topping in a tie-dye swirl
• Modern Chic: All-white frosting with gold foil eggs or edible glitter

Tip: Want that swirl look? Drop 3–4 food coloring dots on your frosting and gently swirl with a spoon. Easy peasy.

Topping Ideas: Peeps, Mini Eggs, and More for Your Easter Jello Cake

Let’s be real — if a Peep doesn’t end up on top, is it even Easter?

Topping ideas:

• Mini marshmallow Peeps (chicks, bunnies, whatever’s cute)
• Cadbury Mini Eggs for color and crunch
• Edible grass or coconut dyed green
• Gummy carrots or jelly beans for that playful look

You can also keep it adult-ish by skipping the candy and adding spring flowers (edible or not!) for a clean vibe.

Frosting and Whipped Cream Tricks for the Cutest Easter Cake

If you’ve got a piping bag — great. But if not, even a zip-top bag snipped at the corner can make some cute dollops.

Quick frosting tricks:

• Add a drop of almond extract or lemon juice to Cool Whip for flavor
• Use cookie cutters as stencils to make sprinkle designs
• Chill your frosted cake before decorating so nothing melts or slides

And if it’s a mess? Honestly, it’s still cute. It’s Easter, not Cake Wars. You’re good.

Make-Ahead Tips to Prep Your Easter Poke Cake Early

The best part about poke cake (besides how dang good it tastes)? It actually gets better the longer it chills. That means you can make it ahead — and skip the last-minute dessert panic on Easter morning.

How Long Will a Chilled Creamy Poke Cake Last?

If you’re prepping for Sunday and it’s, say, Friday afternoon? You’re good.

Fridge life:

• Poke cakes stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Just be sure to cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap
• Store it in the same dish you baked it in — one less thing to wash later

Tip: Add decorations (like Peeps or jelly beans) right before serving so they don’t get soggy or weird overnight.

Can You Freeze an Easter Poke Cake? (Spoiler: Yep)

Yup, you totally can freeze this thing — especially if you want to prep way ahead or save leftovers.

Freezing tips:

• Freeze the cake + filling but skip the whipped topping until serving day
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil
• Thaw in the fridge overnight
• Add toppings just before serving so they look fresh

And hey, if you’ve got some leftover cream cheese frosting? Try it on waffles for a post-Easter breakfast win. Trust me.

Kid-Friendly Easter Poke Cake Ideas Even Grownups Will Love

Let’s face it — kids love bright colors, candy toppings, and anything they can help decorate. Here’s how to make a poke cake party out of it (and sneak in some fun bonding time too).

Funfetti + Jello = A Colorful Spring Cake Kids To Go Out Of Control

Here’s the move:

• Use a Funfetti cake mix (yep, the one with the rainbow dots)
• Fill with pink or blue Jello
• Let the kids decorate with sprinkles, mini eggs, or marshmallows

It’s colorful, it’s easy, and yes — it might get messy, but that’s the fun part.

Cream Cheese Frosting + Sprinkles = A Kid-Approved Easter Dessert

If your crew prefers creamy over fruity, skip the Jello and go pudding + frosting. This combo gives big birthday cake energy with a spring twist.

Bonus Tip: Let kids “finger paint” with colored frosting blobs before you smooth it out. They’ll love it — and you’ll get bonus parent points.

Want something lighter for the grownups too? Pair it with a crisp cucumber salad to balance the sweetness (and feel like you ate something “healthy” ),

What to Serve with Your Easter Poke Cake

You’ve got dessert locked in — now let’s build a table that makes your cake shine without stealing the show.

Light Easter Brunch Foods That Pair with Jello Poke Cake

Keep it simple and springy:

• Chicken or turkey sliders
• Deviled eggs (try this mayo-free version)
• Fruit skewers or fruit salad
• Mini quiches or egg muffins

Basically, go light on the savory side — your cake is doing the heavy lifting in the sugar department.

Drinks That Compliment a Sweet, Creamy Holiday Cake

Skip the heavy drinks and opt for refreshing, fun options:

• Sparkling lemonade with berries
• Iced tea with lemon and mint
• Fizzy mocktails (especially for the kids)
• Coffee with cinnamon or vanilla creamer

Or hey, pour a little prosecco and call it a day — no one’s judging.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making an Easter Poke Cake

Even with an easy recipe like this, there are a few potholes you’ll wanna sidestep if you don’t want a sticky mess or a cake that flops before it even hits the fridge.

Poking Too Deep or Too Close Together

You don’t need to turn the cake into Swiss cheese. If you poke all the way through or crowd the holes, the filling seeps out and the bottom turns into mush.
Do this instead: Poke halfway through and space the holes about 1 inch apart.

Not Letting the Cake Cool Enough Before Filling

If your cake is too hot, that filling won’t soak in properly — or worse, it’ll curdle (ew).
Wait about 10–15 minutes after baking. Warm is good. Piping hot? Not so much.

Overfilling = Soggy Disaster

Yes, poke cake is meant to be moist… but there’s a line, and trust me, I’ve crossed it.
Stick to about 1 cup of filling — and pour slowly. A squeeze bottle helps more than you’d think!

Frosting Before It’s Set

Trying to frost a cake that hasn’t chilled is a recipe for slippery toppings and a mess on your kitchen counter.
Let it chill for at least 2 hours before adding any toppings or decorations.

Easter Poke Cake

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• Author: Megan
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

This Easter poke cake is a fun, colorful dessert made with white cake, pastel pudding, and whipped topping—perfect for spring celebrations!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
• 2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant pudding mix (lemon, vanilla, or cheesecake flavor)
• 4 cups cold milk
• Food coloring (pastel shades)
• 1 tub whipped topping (Cool Whip)
• Sprinkles or Easter candy for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare cake mix according to box instructions. Bake in a 9×13 inch pan and let cool slightly.
2. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.
3. In separate bowls, mix pudding with milk and divide evenly. Tint each with a different pastel food coloring.
4. Spoon colored pudding into the holes, alternating colors as desired.
5. Gently spread any remaining pudding over the top of the cake.
6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set.
7. Top with whipped topping and decorate with sprinkles or Easter candy before serving.

Notes

Make sure cake is slightly cooled but still warm before adding pudding for best absorption. Can be made a day ahead and kept chilled.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Conclusion:

Let’s be real — Easter desserts don’t always get the love they deserve. But this Easter poke cake? It’s here to change that.

It’s simple to make, super fun to decorate, and seriously addictive once you take that first creamy, colorful bite. Whether you go classic with lemon Jello and Cool Whip, or wild with rainbow pudding and edible glitter, you can’t mess this up (unless you skip the chill time — don’t do that ).

Plus, it’s the perfect make-ahead option for a stress-free holiday, and kids can totally get in on the decorating. So whether you’re feeding the whole family after church or just bringing a sweet treat to the in-laws’ potluck, this cake is gonna steal the show — and probably your leftovers too.

So go on, grab that wooden spoon, poke a few holes, and make your Easter table pop with color, flavor, and a little sweet magic. You’ve got this