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**Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake: A Festive Dessert for the Holiday Season**
The holiday season is all about indulgence, joy, and sharing delicious treats with loved ones. And what better way to celebrate than with a festive, vibrant dessert like **Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake**? This beautiful cake combines the classic, comforting flavors of a traditional poke cake with the tart, sweet burst of fresh cranberries, creating a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
With its moist, fluffy cake, sweetened cranberry sauce, and creamy topping, this cake is the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it the ideal treat for Christmas gatherings, holiday parties, or just to enjoy with family on a cozy winter day.
### Why You’ll Love Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake
– **Festive and Beautiful**: The rich red of the cranberry sauce against the white topping creates a stunning visual contrast that’s perfect for holiday tables.
– **Easy to Make**: While it looks impressive, this cake is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just a few simple ingredients.
– **Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart**: The cranberry sauce adds just the right amount of tartness, which perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake and topping.
– **Make-Ahead**: This cake is great for preparing ahead of time, making it a stress-free option when planning your holiday menu.
### Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake
This **Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake** comes together with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, including a boxed cake mix for convenience (though you can certainly make your cake from scratch if preferred).
#### For the Cake:
– **1 box of white cake mix** (plus ingredients listed on the box: typically eggs, oil, and water)
– **1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries** (you can also use cranberry sauce if you’re short on time)
– **1/4 cup sugar**
– **1 tablespoon lemon juice** (optional, for added zest)
#### For the Topping:
– **1 cup heavy whipping cream**
– **8 oz cream cheese**, softened
– **1 cup powdered sugar**
– **1 teaspoon vanilla extract**
– **1/4 cup chopped fresh cranberries** (for garnish, optional)
### How to Make Christmas Cranberry Poke Cake
#### Step 1: Bake the Cake
Start by preparing your **white cake mix** according to the package instructions. Typically, you’ll mix the cake mix with **eggs**, **oil**, and **water** until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once baked, allow the cake to cool for about 10-15 minutes. While it’s cooling, it’s time to prepare the cranberry sauce!
#### Step 2: Prepare the Cranberry Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the **cranberries**, **sugar**, and **lemon juice** (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a sauce, about **10-12 minutes**.
Once the sauce is done, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
#### Step 3: Poke the Cake
Once the cake has cooled for about 15 minutes, take a fork and gently poke holes all over the cake. Be sure to poke all the way down to the bottom so the cranberry sauce can seep in and flavor the cake.
#### Step 4: Add the Cranberry Sauce
Take your cooled cranberry sauce and spoon it over the top of the cake, making sure it fills all the holes. Allow the sauce to sink into the cake. The combination of the cranberry sauce and the cake will create a deliciously moist and flavorful texture.
#### Step 5: Make the Topping
In a separate mixing bowl, **whip the heavy cream** until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, beat the softened **cream cheese** with the **powdered sugar** and **vanilla extract** until smooth and creamy. Once the cream cheese mixture is smooth, gently fold in the whipped cream until everything is well combined.
Step 6: Frost the Cake
Spread the creamy topping over the cake, covering it completely. You can smooth it out or leave it a little textured, depending on your preference.
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