Let’s face it, busy moms don’t have time to fuss with everything that goes into making a fancy layer cake for Easter. That’s why we love this delicious, and oh-so-cute Easter Poke Cake with Peeps and M&Ms.
White cake is filled with pockets of creamy pink pudding, topped with a delicious cheesecake and whipped cream frosting, and finished off with sprinkles and everyone’s favorite Easter candy.
Why Your Family Will Love this Poke Cake
- Easy – Sheet cakes are so much easier than fancy layered cakes, and can even be made ahead of time.
- Colorful – Between the pink pudding pockets, green frosting, sprinkles, and all the candy on top, this cake is a showstopper!
- Tasty – With an irresistible combination of moist cake, cream cheese pudding, and sweet whipped cream frosting, this Easter Poke Cake will have your taste buds dancing.
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- White cake mix, plus listed ingredients (water, oil, eggs)
- Cheesecake flavored instant pudding (2 boxes)
- Milk
- Cool whip
- Powdered sugar
- Pink and green gel food coloring
- Green sprinkles
- Peeps marshmallows
- Easter peanut M&Ms (see FAQs)
Supplies:
- 2-3 large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Wooden spoon or large straw
- Spatula
How to Make an Easter Poke Cake (Step-by-Step Directions):
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Make the Cake
Step 1 – Prepare the white cake mix in a 9×13 pan, according to package directions. Allow the cake to cool completely.
Step 2 – Using a large straw or the back end of a wooden spoon with a round handle, poke holes throughout the cake.
Step 3 – Whisk together one package of cheesecake pudding mix with 2 cups of milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir in 6-7 drops of pink food coloring. Add more food coloring if necessary.
Step 4 – Before the pudding sets, pour the pink mixture over top of the cake, gently pressing the pudding into the holes of the cake, and smoothing the pudding mixture over the top of the cake.
Step 5 – Move the cake to the refrigerator to chill for 2-4 hours, so the pudding can set.
Make the Frosting
Step 6 – In a large mixing bowl, combine one package of cheesecake pudding, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, and ¾ cup milk. Whisk until smooth.
Step 7 – Gently fold in cool whip, stirring until everything is well combined.
Step 8 – Add 4-5 drops of green food coloring. Stir until combined and the color is distributed evenly. Add more food coloring, if desired.
Step 9 – Spread the frosting on top of the cake with a spatula. Decorate the top of the cake with green sprinkles, Peeps marshmallows, and pastel Easter M&Ms.
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before baking to avoid any potential mistakes.
- Whichever utensil you use to poke your cake, make sure you wipe it down between pokes. Otherwise, you could end up with cake that tears apart, or holes that are uneven.
- For best results, don’t poke the cake all the way to the bottom – about 3/4 through the cake should do it. You want the pudding mixture to settle into the cake without pooling at the base and making it soggy.
- Don’t cheat and add the pudding to a warm cake. The warmth can cause the pudding to melt a bit and you won’t get those pretty pink pockets.
FAQs:
Can I use regular M&Ms instead of peanut M&Ms?
Absolutely! We like to use peanut M&Ms because they’re larger and shaped a bit more like an egg. If you don’t like peanuts, or have a nut allergy, you can also use jelly beans, robin’s eggs, or even regular M&Ms. Just make sure that whatever you use is Easter-themed and bright in color!
Can I use a different flavor of pudding mix?
You can use any flavor pudding mix that is light in color: vanilla, cheesecake, and white chocolate flavors work best.
That said, we did make a version of this cake with lemon pudding mix and it tasted amazing. However, the lemon pudding was very definitely orange…which is still a great Easter color. So if you prefer lemon, go for it!
I have a homemade cake recipe I love, can I use that instead?
Sure! I like the convenience and consistent measurements that come from a box mix, but if you prefer homemade, go for it! The biggest things to remember is that you want to make it in a 9×13 pan, and you need a cake color that is light enough to show of the pink filling and green frosting.
Want to Make Easter Egg-stra special?
Colorful cakes are so much fun, but it’s even more fun when you’ve got easy decor like a printable Happy Easter banner, gorgeous Easter art prints, and simple Easter games that are perfect for last-minute activities with the kids.
Storing Your Easter Peeps Poke Cake
Leftovers: Loosely cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Make ahead: This poke cake is delicious if enjoyed the day it’s made, but it actually gets better if you make it a day in advance! If you choose to make it in advance, prepare the cake to the point of adding the frosting.
When you’re ready to serve, allow the cake to come to room temperature for 30 minutes and add the sprinkles and candies just before serving.
If you liked my Easter Poke Cake with Peeps, you’re going to love my Strawberry Fruit Dip with Cream Cheese. Or you can check out all my Easter ideas right here.
Easter Bunny Approved!
Get your Easter hopping along with a sweet selection of printable goodies – including printable games, tags and bag toppers, party decorations, and art prints all designed to to make this Easter more colorful than ever. Check it all out right here.
Easter Poke Cake with Peeps
This heavenly Easter Poke Cake with Peeps is the perfect dessert for a festive celebration. Light and fluffy white cake is filled with creamy pudding, topped with whipped cream frosting, then garnished with Easter candies to create an irresistible treat!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 box white cake mix + ingredients from the back of the box (water, oil, eggs)
- 3 ounces cheesecake flavored instant pudding
- 2 cups milk
- Pink food coloring
For the Frosting:
- 3 ounces cheesecake flavored instant pudding
- 3/4 cup milk
- 8 ounces cool whip
- 3 tablespoons Powdered sugar
- Green food coloring
Toppings:
- Green sprinkles
- Peeps marshmallows
- Easter peanut M&Ms
Instructions
- Make the Cake: Prepare the white cake mix in a 9x13 pan, according to package directions. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Using a large straw or the back end of a wooden spoon with a round handle, poke holes throughout the cake.
- Whisk together one package of cheesecake pudding mix with 2 cups of milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir in 6-7 drops of pink food coloring. Add more food coloring if necessary.
- Before the pudding sets, pour the pink mixture over top of the cake, gently pressing the pudding into the holes of the cake, and smoothing the pudding mixture over the top of the cake.
- Move the cake to the refrigerator to chill for 2-4 hours, so the pudding can set.
- Make the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, combine one package of cheesecake pudding, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, and ¾ cup milk. Whisk until smooth.
- Gently fold in cool whip, stirring until everything is well combined.
- Add 4-5 drops of green food coloring. Stir until combined and the color is distributed evenly. Add more food coloring, if desired.
- Decorate the Cake: Spread the frosting on top of the cake with a spatula. Decorate the top of the cake with green sprinkles, Peeps marshmallows, and pastel Easter M&Ms.
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- Whichever utensil you use to poke your cake, make sure you wipe it down between pokes. Otherwise, you could end up with cake that tears apart, or holes that are uneven.
- For best results, don't poke the cake all the way to the bottom - about 3/4 through the cake should do it. You want the pudding mixture to settle into the cake without pooling at the base and making it soggy.
- Don't cheat and add the pudding to a warm cake. The warmth can cause the pudding to melt a bit and you won't get those pretty pink pockets.
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