Easter Poke Cake
Published: Friday, April 3, 2026
1 box white or vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, and water)
Gel food coloring in pastel Easter shades—pink, blue, green, purple
3.4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 c. cold milk
8 oz. tub Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream
Easter sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration
Mini chocolate eggs, marshmallow Peeps, or other festive toppings (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9x13 baking pan. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide the batter evenly into 4 small bowls. Add a few drops of different pastel food coloring to each bowl and mix well.
Spoon the different colors of batter randomly into the cake pan to create a tie-dye or rainbow effect. Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the colors gently—do not overmix. Bake according to the box instructions, usually 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes. Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake, about 1" apart. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Pour pudding evenly over the cake, ensuring it fills the holes. Refrigerate cake for 30-60 minutes to allow the pudding to set.
Spread the Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) evenly over the cake. Sprinkle with festive Easter sprinkles, colored sugar or coconut flakes. Add extra decorations like mini chocolate eggs, Peeps, or edible glitter for a fun Easter touch.
Return to Top of Page