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Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 107 reviews

This vibrant and fun Unicorn Poke Cake features colorful swirled layers of moist white cake with blue, purple, and pink hues. Filled with creamy French vanilla pudding and topped with fluffy whipped topping and sparkling unicorn candy sprinkles, this whimsical dessert is perfect for celebrations and brings a magical touch to any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 egg whites, room temperature
  • Blue gel food color
  • Purple gel food color
  • Pink gel food color

Pudding Filling

  • 6.8 ounces French vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 3 ¾ cups cold whole milk

Topping

  • 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
  • 2.82 ounces Unicorn sparkle candy sprinkles (approx. ½ cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Cake Batter: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), combine the white cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites. Use a handheld mixer on medium speed to blend until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
  3. Divide Batter and Add Colors: Evenly split the batter into three separate bowls. Add blue gel food color to one bowl (3-4 drops depending on desired intensity), purple gel food color (5-7 drops) to the second, and pink gel food color (5-7 drops) to the third. Stir each batter until the color is uniform with no streaks.
  4. Layer Swirled Batter: Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter alternately into the prepared pan. Once all batter is added, use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to gently swirl the colors, creating a marbled rainbow effect.
  5. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes, starting to check around 22 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
  6. Poke Holes in Cake: Once cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes about one inch apart over the entire cake surface. This allows the pudding filling to seep inside for moistness.
  7. Prepare Pudding: In a large mixing bowl (4-5 quarts), whisk together the cold milk and French vanilla instant pudding mix using a hand mixer on low speed or a whisk. Mix for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  8. Fill Cake with Pudding: Spoon pudding evenly into the holes poked in the cake. Then spoon the remaining pudding over the entire top layer and spread evenly with a silicone or offset spatula.
  9. Add Whipped Topping: Spread the thawed whipped topping over the pudding layer smoothly using a spatula. Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the filling.
  10. Decorate and Serve: After chilling, sprinkle approximately ½ cup of unicorn sparkle candy sprinkles evenly over the whipped topping. Slice the cake into 3 rows by 5 columns for 15 servings. Keep refrigerated until serving. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Use glass or disposable bowls for coloring the batter to avoid staining plastic bowls with gel food colors.
  • Check the cake starting at 22 minutes to prevent overbaking, as oven temperatures vary.
  • Ensure pudding is mixed thoroughly for best texture before filling the cake.
  • Thaw whipped topping completely before spreading for smooth application.
  • Store leftovers tightly covered to maintain freshness and moistness.

Keywords: Unicorn Poke Cake, colorful cake, French vanilla pudding cake, poke cake recipe, swirl cake, festive dessert

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/unicorn-poke-cake-recipe/