Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake Recipes 2025
This Christmas cranberry poke cake is bright, creamy, festive, and nostalgic all at once. With a soft white cake base, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and whipped cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect make-ahead holiday dessert.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Whisk
- Wooden Spoon Handle (for poking cake)
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1.125 cups sugar
- 0.25 tsp cinnamon optional
- dash of ginger and nutmeg optional
- 2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2½ tbsp water
Cake
- 16.25 oz box white cake mix plus box ingredients
- 1 tbsp red sprinkles
- 1 tbsp green sprinkles
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups whipped topping or 1¼ cups whipped cream
Garnish
- 3.5 oz white chocolate finely chopped
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 0.33 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Cranberry Sauce
Simmer cranberries, orange juice, and sugar until berries burst. Add optional spices. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thick. Cool slightly. - Step 2: Prepare the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix cake per box using egg whites. Fold in red and green sprinkles. Pour into greased 9x13-inch pan and bake as directed. - Step 3: Poke and Fill
Cool cake 10 minutes. Use handle of wooden spoon to poke holes ⅔ deep. Pour cranberry sauce into holes and over top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. - Step 4: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping or cream. Adjust sweetness to taste. - Step 5: Frost and Garnish
Spread frosting over chilled cake. Sprinkle dried cranberries. Melt white chocolate with coconut oil, drizzle over top using a bag with snipped corner. - Step 6: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy the festive layers!
Notes
Use egg whites to keep the cake snowy white. Let sauce cool before adding. Chill overnight for best flavor. Drizzle chocolate just before serving for gloss.