Cherry Bliss Snow Poke Cake: A Creamy, Fruity Delight

I still remember the first time I brought my Cherry Snow Poke Cake to a family gathering. As everyone took their first bites, the room fell silent before erupting into a chorus of “mmms” and requests for the recipe. That’s the magic of this dessert – it looks impressive but comes together with surprising ease.

This heavenly creation combines the perfect balance of textures – fluffy cake soaked with creamy vanilla pudding, topped with sweet cherry filling and a cloud-like layer of whipped cream. Each forkful delivers moist cake infused with flavor, making it impossible to stop at just one slice.

What makes this poke cake special is how the pudding seeps into the cake through tiny holes (hence the “poke” in the name), creating a dessert that gets better the longer it sits. The vibrant red cherries against the white canvas creates a stunning visual that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients

• 1 box white or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box instructions)
• 1 3/4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups milk
• 1 8 oz tub whipped topping, thawed
• 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling

Frosting Ingredients

• 1 9 oz prebaked angel food cake
• 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 12 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
• 42 oz cherry pie filling (2 cans)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

I always set up my kitchen workspace before diving into this Cherry Snow Poke Cake. Trust me, having everything within arm’s reach makes the process so much smoother! For this recipe, I gather a few basic kitchen tools that most home bakers already have tucked away in their cabinets.

The foundation of our dessert needs a proper home, so I always use my trusty 9×13 baking pan – its rectangular shape creates the perfect canvas for those beautiful layers. A good-sized mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients without making a mess across my countertops.

When it comes to mixing, I personally prefer using my hand mixer as it creates the perfect texture, though a simple whisk works fine if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease! Don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons for precision – baking is part science after all.

A rubber spatula is my best friend for folding in the delicate whipped topping and scraping every last bit of batter from the bowl (plus, it’s perfect for “quality control” tastes along the way). You’ll need refrigerator space to chill the cake properly, allowing those flavors to meld together beautifully. And finally, I like to have a pretty serving platter ready for when it’s time to showcase this beautiful creation to eager eyes and hungry mouths!

Prepare It Now, Enjoy It Later

I’m a big believer in planning ahead, especially when hosting gatherings. That’s why I love that this Cherry Snow Poke Cake actually improves with time! Here’s my process for making this showstopper dessert well before your guests arrive:

First, I handle the foundation by mixing and baking the cake as directed in the recipe. Once it comes out of the oven, I let it cool for about 20-30 minutes before poking those all-important holes. When adding the gelatin mixture, I make sure it seeps thoroughly into those holes – this is what creates that incredible moisture we’re after! At this point, I carefully cover the baking dish with plastic wrap, making sure it doesn’t touch the cake surface.

The magic happens during the overnight refrigeration. I assemble the cake completely with the luscious cherry topping and that cloud-like whipped cream layer, then tuck it away in the refrigerator. This resting period is crucial – it’s not just about convenience but about flavor development. Those hours in the fridge allow the pudding to fully penetrate the cake while the flavors meld into something truly special.

On serving day, I keep the cake chilled until about 15-20 minutes before serving. This dessert maintains its perfection for up to three days in the refrigerator, though honestly, there’s rarely any left after day one in my house! The chilled temperature not only preserves freshness but also enhances the contrast between the cool, creamy topping and the moist, flavorful cake beneath.

This make-ahead approach means I can focus on enjoying time with my guests rather than scrambling in the kitchen at the last minute. And trust me, no one will ever guess this stunning dessert was prepared a day or two earlier!

Step-By-Step Guide To Cherry Snow Poke Cake Magic

Creating this enchanting Cherry Snow Poke Cake in my kitchen always feels like a bit of culinary magic. The transformation from simple ingredients to a stunning dessert never fails to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Let me walk you through exactly how I make this happen.

Building Your Cake Base

I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C) and giving my 9×13-inch baking dish a light coat of cooking spray. This prevents any sticking disasters later!

In my large mixing bowl, I combine the white or yellow cake mix with the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and those important flavor enhancers – vanilla and almond extracts. The almond extract might seem optional, but trust me, it pairs beautifully with the cherries and elevates the entire dessert. I mix everything until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.

When pouring the batter into my prepared dish, I use my spatula to ensure it spreads evenly into all the corners. This helps it bake uniformly.

The cake needs about 25 minutes in the oven, but I always do the toothpick test – inserting it in the center should result in a clean toothpick with perhaps a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

Patience is key for the next 15 minutes as the cake needs to cool but remain warm. Too hot and the gelatin will run right through; too cool and it won’t absorb properly.

Creating That Cherry Magic

While the cake cools, I prepare the cherry gelatin mixture. I combine the cherry gelatin powder with boiling water in a bowl, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes until I can’t see any granules.

Adding cold water to the mixture helps bring the temperature down so it won’t damage the cake structure when poured.

This next step is actually my favorite part – using a wooden skewer or the tines of a fork, I poke holes all over the cake’s surface at roughly ½-inch intervals. Something satisfying about creating those pathways for flavor!

Now comes the crucial moment – I pour the cherry gelatin mixture slowly and methodically over the entire cake surface. I start from one corner and move systematically across, ensuring the liquid finds its way into all those little holes. The cake will immediately begin absorbing that vibrant cherry flavor!

Once fully covered, I tent some plastic wrap over my creation (careful not to let it touch the surface) and clear some space in my refrigerator. This needs at least 3 hours to set properly, though I typically let it rest overnight for the best results. During this time, magic happens as the cherry flavor infuses completely through the cake.

Completing Your Masterpiece

After the chilling period, I retrieve my cake from the refrigerator – at this point, it’s already transformed with that beautiful red-tinted interior.

With a gentle touch, I spread a generous layer of whipped topping across the entire surface. I find using an offset spatula creates the smoothest finish, making sweeping motions from the center outward for that picture-perfect snowy layer.

The crowning glory comes next – spooning that luscious cherry pie filling across the top. I create an even layer but leave small glimpses of the white “snow” peeking through in places for that classic cherries-in-snow appearance.

Before serving, I return the cake to the refrigerator for at least another hour. This final chill ensures perfect slicing and allows all those beautiful flavors to harmonize completely.

When it’s finally time to serve, I cut into neat squares to showcase those gorgeous layers – the snowy white topping, the vibrant red cherries, and that moist, cherry-infused cake beneath. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of textures and flavors – creamy, fruity, and delightfully moist all at once.

Make It Your Own: Recipe Adaptations

I’ve made this Cherry Snow Poke Cake countless times, and over the years, I’ve discovered several delicious variations that keep things interesting. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility – it’s essentially a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch!

Play With Different Cake Bases

While the traditional white cake creates that perfect “snow” effect, I’ve experimented with several alternatives that bring something special to the table. One weekend, I swapped in chocolate cake mix and was amazed by how the rich cocoa flavor complemented the cherry topping – think chocolate-covered cherries in cake form!

For summer gatherings, I sometimes use lemon cake mix, which adds a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. My most dramatic variation was using red velvet cake – the deep red cake with cherry filling created a stunning monochromatic dessert that was particularly striking during the holidays.

Mix Up Your Fruit Flavors

Though cherries create that classic look, I’ve found that other fruit fillings work wonderfully too. Strawberry filling creates a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining that gorgeous red-and-white contrast. Blueberry filling makes for a beautiful variation with a deeper purple hue that’s perfect for summer.

My personal favorite twist is using a mixed berry filling topped with a combination of fresh berries – raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries – for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Sometimes I even add a thin layer of lemon curd between the cake and whipped topping for an extra flavor dimension.

Presentation & Keeping It Fresh

I always serve this cake straight from the refrigerator – there’s something magical about how the cool temperature enhances the contrast between the cream topping and fruit filling. For special occasions, I garnish each slice with fresh cherries (with stems attached for a pop of green) or a light dusting of shaved white chocolate to enhance that “snow” effect.

When storing leftovers (if there are any!), I cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it gently against any exposed cake to prevent it from drying out. In my experience, this cake actually improves over the first 24-48 hours as the flavors continue to meld together, making it perfect for make-ahead entertaining.

The cake stays fresh for up to four days in the refrigerator, though the whipped topping may begin to lose some of its volume after day three. I’ve found that individual slices freeze surprisingly well when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil – perfect for those moments when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make an entire cake.

This Cherry Snow Poke Cake has become my signature dessert for potlucks and family gatherings because it’s so adaptable to different seasons and occasions. The combination of convenience, visual appeal, and delicious flavor makes it a recipe I return to again and again – and one that friends and family consistently request by name!

Final Thoughts: A Cherry-Topped Slice of Joy

I’ve made countless desserts over the years, but this Cherry Snow Poke Cake remains a steadfast favorite in my recipe collection. Its striking appearance belies how simple it is to create, making it the perfect confidence-building recipe for bakers of all skill levels.

What truly sets this dessert apart is its irresistible combination of textures – from the moist, flavor-infused cake to the cloud-like whipped topping and bursts of cherry sweetness. The make-ahead convenience is just the cherry on top, allowing you to prepare it a day or two before serving when it’s actually at its best.

Whether you follow the classic recipe or explore the endless variations, this Cherry Snow Poke Cake delivers a dessert experience that creates sweet memories along with satisfied smiles. It’s proof that sometimes the most beloved recipes aren’t the most complex – they’re the ones that bring reliable joy to those gathered around your table.