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Rainbow Poke Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 140 reviews

This vibrant Rainbow Poke Cake features a colorful layered batter creating a stunning rainbow effect inside. The moist vanilla cake is baked with distinct rainbow colors, then poked and filled with creamy vanilla pudding. Finished with a light whipped cream frosting, this dessert is perfect for celebrations and delighting both kids and adults alike with its eye-catching presentation and delicious flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 3 cups (420 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, slightly melted
  • 1½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk (2% or whole milk)
  • Gel food coloring: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

Vanilla Pudding Filling

  • 1 box (4-serving, approx. 100 grams) vanilla dry instant pudding mix
  • 2 cups milk (2%)

Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 2 cups heavy cream (35%)
  • ¾ cup (90 grams) confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9” x 13” cake pan with non-stick cooking spray, line the bottom with parchment paper, and spray again. Set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until combined. Set aside.
  3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil on high speed for about 5 minutes until creamy and smooth.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time and then vanilla extract until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.
  5. Combine Batter: Beat half of the dry mixture into the wet ingredients just until mostly combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  6. Add Milk: Beat in all the milk until combined, again avoiding overmixing.
  7. Finish Batter: Add remaining dry ingredients and mix just until no dry flour remains. Stop mixing to prevent a dry cake.
  8. Divide and Color Batter: Divide batter evenly into 6 bowls (approximately 235 grams each). Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) and lightly stir to mix the color in.
  9. Layer Batter in Pan: Place the cake pan vertically. Spoon a small scoop of red batter into the top left; then spoon orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple across the top row. For the second row, start with orange, then yellow, green, blue, purple, and red. Continue pattern for all rows, rotating starting color each time, until pan is filled with no gaps. Gently tap to level.
  10. Bake Cake: Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
  11. Make Vanilla Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for two minutes until thickened.
  12. Poke Holes: Using the handle end of a wooden spoon, poke multiple holes about ¾ of the way through the warm cake, ensuring plenty of holes for pudding to seep into.
  13. Fill with Pudding: Spread the vanilla pudding evenly over the top of the cake, allowing it to fill the poke holes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
  14. Prepare Whipped Cream Frosting: Beat heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
  15. Frost Cake: Spread the whipped cream frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Optionally, sprinkle with colorful sprinkles for decoration.
  16. Storage: Store the finished cake in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Make sure eggs and butter are at room temperature for best texture.
  • Do not overmix the cake batter to avoid a dense, dry cake.
  • Use gel food coloring for bright and vivid rainbow colors without altering batter consistency.
  • Allow pudding to fully set in the refrigerator before frosting to prevent mixing.
  • This cake is best served chilled and eaten within 3 days for optimal freshness.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with whipping cream of at least 30% fat for the frosting if needed.

Keywords: rainbow poke cake, colorful cake, vanilla pudding cake, layered cake, whipped cream frosting, festive dessert

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/rainbow-poke-cake-recipe/