Description
This vibrant Unicorn Poke Cake is a fun and colorful dessert featuring a moist, multi-colored white cake base, a luscious vanilla pudding filling, and a cloud-like whipped topping sprinkled with whimsical unicorn-themed sprinkles. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you want a magical and visually stunning treat, this cake combines playful gel food coloring with classic flavors for a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 15 ounces (432g) white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites, room temperature
- Blue gel food color (neon blue)
- Purple gel food color (regal purple)
- Pink gel food color (neon pink)
Pudding Filling
- 6.8 ounces (2 x 3.4 ounce or 96g) French vanilla instant pudding mix
- 3¾ cups cold whole milk
Topping and Decoration
- 8 ounces (226g) whipped topping, thawed
- 2.82 ounces (80g) Unicorn sparkle candy sprinkles (such as CandiFetti brand)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake batter: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites. Beat until smooth and well combined.
- Divide and color the batter: Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Add a few drops of neon blue gel food color to one bowl, regal purple to the second bowl, and neon pink to the third. Gently fold each color until the batter is evenly tinted.
- Layer the batter: Pour the colored batters into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan in sections or swirls to create a colorful, marbled effect. Avoid mixing too much to maintain distinct colors.
- Bake the cake: Bake the cake according to the cake mix package instructions, typically 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the pudding: While the cake is baking, whisk together the French vanilla instant pudding mix with cold whole milk. Mix for about 2 minutes until the pudding thickens. Refrigerate to keep cold until ready to use.
- Poke the cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer to poke holes all over the cake’s surface, about 1 inch apart and about 2/3 into the cake depth.
- Fill with pudding: Pour the prepared vanilla pudding evenly over the cake, making sure it seeps into the holes to create a moist, creamy interior layer. Spread gently to cover the whole surface.
- Chill the cake: Refrigerate the cake with pudding layer for at least 30 minutes to allow the pudding to set in the holes and the cake to absorb moisture.
- Add whipped topping: After chilling, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer, smoothing to cover the entire cake.
- Decorate: Generously sprinkle the Unicorn sparkle candy sprinkles over the whipped topping to create a festive, magical appearance.
- Serve: Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve. Slice into squares and enjoy this colorful, creamy, and whimsical unicorn poke cake.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before poking to prevent breaking.
- Instant pudding mix must be prepared with cold milk for proper thickening.
- You can substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream if preferred.
- This cake is best served chilled and consumed within 2-3 days for freshness.
Keywords: Unicorn cake, poke cake, colorful cake, vanilla pudding cake, dessert, whipped topping, celebration cake