Why is my poke cake soggy?

A cake that's still warm is more susceptible to absorbing too much liquid , leading to a soggy bottom nobody appreciates. Allow your cake to cool completely before introducing it to its liquid companion. This patience will pay off in the form of a perfectly moist, yet structurally sound, poke cake.

Why is it called poke cake?

Poke-and-pour cake (also called poke cake) is a cake recipe that calls for holes to be poked in it after baking , usually with the handle of a wooden spoon or a wooden skewer. Then a liquid is poured over the baked cake to soak into the cake holes.

How do I make my cake more moist?

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk. Add Vegetable Oil. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix. Use the Right Recipe. Don't Overbake. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze. Apr 23, 2021

Why is my cake extra moist?

The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour , a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.

Who invented poke cake?

According to Lynne Galia of the Kraft Heinz Company, the Jell-O gelatin poke cake, developed by General Foods Kitchens , first appeared in print advertising and in Jell-O recipe booklets in 1976.

Why is poke so delicious?

The raw fish provides a fresh and clean taste, while the marinade and toppings offer a variety of flavors and textures . The dish is typically light and healthy, making it a perfect option for those looking for a satisfying meal without the guilt.

How do you fix a mushy cake?

Adjusting the cooking time and temperature If your cake has a soggy middle, the first thing to try is bringing the temperature down a little and baking for slightly longer . I'd suggest reducing the temperature by 20 degrees and increasing the baking time for 7 minutes.

How do you store cake so it doesn't get soggy?

The Best Way to Store Cake Layers Wrap these tightly in plastic wrap, top, sides, and bottoms, so the plastic is touching the sides of the cake (that is to say, don't just drape the plastic over the top). If you don't have plastic wrap, opt for a plastic zip-top bag.

Why are my fish cakes rubbery?

Most version include egg which is used as a binder. In this recipe, you have that option but personally I prefer the texture without the egg. Adding egg gives the Thai fish cakes a rubbery texture which some people like.

Peppermint Poke Cake Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Rich chocolate peppermint cake moistened with sweetened condensed milk, smothered in whipped cream and topped with candy cane bits.

This cake recipe has been a reader favorite for years. Do you know how I’ve been trying to update some of my older photos and recipes? Well, I pulled this one a couple of months ago for some re-vamping. And on Thanksgiving Dayon the dotmy inbox started filling up with readers wanting to know where the recipe had disappeared to.

I can’t believe what Christmas rule-followers you all are! I didn’t get a single question about this peppermint recipe until Thanksgiving day. I guess that’s when Christmas “officially” begins. Although, when it comes to my house we don’t mind starting a little early with the tunes. I don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving though (and since we just barely moved, it won’t be until waaaaaaaaay after Thanksgiving this year) and we don’t start eating peppermint until after Thanksgiving either.

I’m too busy cramming in as much pumpkin and pecan pie as I can right up until the last Turkey-day minute.

But now that it isofficially the holiday season, allow me to re-introduce you to my famous Christmas Poke Cake.

aka Peppermint Poke Cake

aka Candy Cane Poke Cake

aka Better Than Christmas Poke Cake

It’s got a lot of aliases.

There are a lot of different ways you can piece this gem of a recipe together. In this post, I’m going to give you the basic version:

Chocolate Cake

Normally, I say you can go from scratchorbox mix in most of my recipes that call for a baked cake. But in this particular recipe, I really think you should be using a box mix cake.

Why?

A box mix always yields a softer more tender cake than a homemade cake. That’s just the fact. I’m not saying you can’t make a mean, moist chocolate cake from scratch. I’m just saying that I seriously doubt it will be asairy as a box cake mix. And when it comes to a poke cake, airy = absorbent = ☺️.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

This is the magic maker. If you’ve ever had a poke cake, you know that the SCM fills the holes poked in the cake and seeps into every nook and cranny, making an incredibly moist and delicious dessert.

Cool Whip

Goes on top, obviously. People always ask, “can I use homemade whipped cream?” Suuuuuuuuure. If you must.

But here are my rules for subbing homemade whipped cream in a poke cake:

Either make stabilized whipped cream, or
Don’t add it to the cake until the very last moment before serving,
Most importantly: don’t email me complaining that it didn’t turn out the way my pictures look!!!!

Got it? Good.

Andes Peppermint Bits

Okay, so here’s something really important to know about this cake!! I’m not using actual candy cane peppermint bits here.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather not break my teeth whilst enjoying my dessert. So I almost always default to Andes Peppermint Bits anytime I’m making a recipe that needs “candy cane” pieces. They are white chocolate peppermint candy bits, and they are DELICIOUS. And you won’t break your teeth eating them.

I never have a problem finding them at Walmart or Target in the baking aisle or in the seasonal foods section. Trust me, this is something your sensitive-teeth friends are going to appreciate!

You’re welcome!

Here’s the cake I originally posted a few years ago. You can see that it looks alittle bit different than the basic cake recipe I described above.

That’s because this one includes crushed Candy Cane OREOS on top (YUM!!) and about a 1/4 cup – 1/2 cupof hot fudge saucein addition to the sweetened condensed milk poured over the cake (and I whisked in a couple of tablespoons of peppermint creamer into the SCM). If you’re looking to amp up this recipe a bit, that’s the way to go, let me tell you!

No matter how you make it, ENJOY!

And happy Christmas season!

Peppermint Poke Cake Tips

A box mix always yields a softer more tender cake than a homemade cake.
Use stabilized whipped cream, or don’t add it to the cake until the very last moment before serving.
I never have a problem finding Andes Peppermint Bits at Walmart or Target in the baking aisle or in the seasonal foods section.
If you’re looking to amp up this recipe a bit, crushed Candy Cane OREOS on top and about 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce in addition to the sweetened condensed milk poured over the cake are great additions!

Peppermint Poke Cake FAQ

Can I make this poke cake in advance?

Yes, you can make it up to 3 days in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge.

Will this recipe work with a different size cake pan?

I have only ever made this recipe in a 9×13 cake pan. I cannot say for certain that it will work with a different size cake pan, but you can give it a try and let me know in the comments how it turns out.