Quick & Fresh Shamrock Delight Poke Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

Green swirls of creamy goodness dance through this festive shamrock delight poke cake that brings Irish charm to any dessert table.

Layers of moist white cake get infused with vibrant mint-green pudding, creating a playful treat that sparkles with St.

Patrick’s Day spirit.

The emerald-hued filling seeps into every soft crumb, promising a burst of refreshing flavor in each bite.

Delicate whipped cream crowns this spectacular dessert, adding a light and airy touch to the rich cake base.

Guests will marvel at the stunning green interior when sliced, revealing a stunning pattern of sweet mint goodness.

Colorful and decadent, this poke cake serves up a slice of festive cheer that transforms an ordinary dessert into a celebration.

Bake this delightful treat and watch eyes light up with pure dessert excitement.

Bakeware And Tools For Shamrock Delight Poke Cake

• 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for baking the cake and creating the perfect base for your Shamrock Delight.
• Wooden spoon or straw: Perfect for poking uniform holes in the cake, allowing pudding to seep through.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for whisking pudding mix and milk smoothly.
• Whisk: Ideal for blending pudding mix and milk without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Electric mixer (optional): Helpful for mixing cake batter if preferred over hand mixing.
• Cooling rack: Useful for allowing cake to cool before adding pudding.

How To Bake Shamrock Delight Poke Cake With Style

• Warm Up The Oven

Get your baking space ready by heating the oven to a toasty 350F. Whip up the white cake mix with a splash of vanilla for an extra flavor punch.

• Create Cake Landscape

Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake until golden and perfect. Let the cake cool just a bit after pulling it from the oven.

• Perforate The Surface

Grab a wooden spoon handle or straw and playfully poke holes across the cake’s surface. This will be your flavor highway.

• Flood With Green Magic

Mix pudding until silky smooth, adding a dash of green color. Carefully pour the vibrant mixture over the cake, watching it seep into every delightful hole.

• Chill And Set

Slide the cake into the refrigerator and let it hang out for an hour. This helps the pudding settle and flavors mingle.

• Dress Up Your Dessert

Top the cake with fluffy whipped cream. Sprinkle some festive green decorations like shamrock-themed sprinkles or crushed pistachios.

• Slice And Celebrate

Cut into this gorgeous treat and enjoy a slice of pure deliciousness. Serve chilled for maximum yumminess.

Tips To Make Shamrock Delight Poke Cake Even Better

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance to let flavors deepen and pudding set perfectly for maximum deliciousness.
• Texture Trick: Use the end of a wooden spoon handle with a slightly wider diameter to create more pudding-filled holes for extra moisture.
• Color Control: Adjust green food coloring intensity from pastel mint to deep emerald based on your preference for festive vibrancy.

• Gluten-Free Twist: Replace standard white cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and verify pudding mix ingredients are gluten-free.
• Lighter Version: Use sugar-free pudding mix and reduced-fat whipped topping to create a lower-calorie dessert without sacrificing flavor.

• Nutty Crunch: Swap pistachios with toasted almonds or pecans for different texture and subtle nutty undertones.
• Boozy Adult Edition: Add a splash of Irish cream liqueur to the pudding mixture for a grown-up St. Patrick's Day treat.

Serve Shamrock Delight Poke Cake With Festive Flair

• Festive Party Centerpiece: Make this Shamrock Delight Cake the star of your St. Patrick's Day celebration, placing it on a decorated green tablecloth to enhance the holiday spirit.
• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair each slice with a hot cup of Irish breakfast tea or a creamy latte for a delightful morning treat that complements the cake's light texture.
• Dessert Platter Highlight: Arrange cake slices alongside other green-themed desserts like mint chocolate cookies or pistachio macarons to create a stunning green dessert display that will wow guests.
• Kid-Friendly Fun Station: Let children add their own green sprinkles or create shamrock designs on top of their cake slice, turning dessert time into an interactive and playful experience.

Keep Shamrock Delight Poke Cake Fresh And Fun

• Quick Cool Storage
• Refrigerate the cake within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and food safety. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Chilled Cake Duration
• Store the Shamrock Delight Poke Cake in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The whipped topping and pudding layer will remain creamy and delicious during this time.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy
• Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake slices can last up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best taste and texture.
• Smart Serving Tip
• Remove cake from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow slight softening. This helps enhance the cake's creamy texture and brings out the subtle flavors of the pudding and whipped topping.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need For Shamrock Delight Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: Creates the fluffy foundation, choose a high-quality mix for better texture and flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cake's depth, opt for pure vanilla for richer taste.

• Instant Pudding Mix: Provides creamy moisture and binding, select a vanilla or pistachio flavor for extra dimension.
• Cold Milk: Activates pudding mix, use fresh whole milk for smoother consistency.
• Green Food Coloring: Adds festive St. Patrick's Day spirit, use gel coloring for vibrant green without altering texture.

• Whipped Topping: Delivers light, creamy finish, choose fresh or store-bought for convenience.
• Green Sprinkles: Adds playful texture and color, look for festive shamrock-shaped options.
• Pistachios: Offers crunchy contrast and nutty flavor, select roasted and finely chopped nuts.

Festive Shamrock Delight Poke Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic Irish-inspired shamrock delight poke cake marries rich chocolate and mint flavors in a festive dessert. Green frosting and chocolate chips complete this St. Patrick’s Day treat for delightful celebration.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box white cake mix
• 3 eggs
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant pistachio or vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 ml) cold milk
• 1 container (8 oz / 226 g) whipped topping (Cool Whip)
• Green food coloring
• Green sprinkles
• Shamrock sprinkles
• Crushed pistachios

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Instructions

1. Cake Preparation: Blend white cake mix following package instructions, adding vanilla essence for enhanced flavor. Pour batter into a greased rectangular pan and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until golden and springy.
2. Puncturing Surface: Once baked, allow cake to cool briefly. Create a systematic grid of holes using a wooden spoon handle or straw, spacing punctures approximately one inch apart across the entire surface.
3. Pudding Infusion: Whisk pudding powder with milk until smooth, incorporating green food coloring for vibrant appearance. Gently pour the emerald-tinted mixture over the cake, ensuring each hole becomes thoroughly saturated with the creamy liquid.
4. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the cake for an hour, allowing the pudding to penetrate and solidify within the cake’s delicate crumb structure.
5. Topping Application: Generously spread whipped topping across the cake’s surface, creating a smooth, even layer that completely covers the green-infused base.
6. Decorative Finish: Embellish the cake with green sprinkles, crushed pistachios, or shamrock-themed decorations to add visual appeal and textural contrast.
7. Serving: Slice and serve the chilled dessert, revealing the intricate layers of flavor and texture within this festive treat.

Notes

• Precision Perforation: Create uniform holes by using a wooden spoon handle or straw with consistent spacing to ensure even pudding distribution throughout the cake.
• Vibrant Color Control: Gradually add green food coloring, mixing thoroughly to achieve a consistent emerald shade without creating uneven or patchy coloration.
• Cooling Mastery: Allow the cake to cool completely before poking holes to prevent structural breakdown and ensure the cake maintains its integrity when absorbing the pudding.
• Texture Enhancement: For a richer experience, consider using instant pudding mix with whole milk or adding a touch of vanilla extract to intensify the flavor profile and create a more luxurious dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg