Unicorn Poke Cake (Printable)

Magical confetti cake with colorful rainbow pudding layers and whipped topping

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 box funfetti or vanilla cake mix (about 15 oz)
02 - Ingredients required for cake mix (typically eggs, vegetable oil, water)

→ Rainbow Pudding Filling

03 - 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz each)
04 - 4 cups cold milk
05 - Gel food coloring (pink, purple, blue, yellow)

→ Topping

06 - 1 tub whipped topping (8 oz, such as Cool Whip), thawed
07 - Unicorn sprinkles or colorful confetti sprinkles

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
02 - Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
03 - Remove cake from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Using the handle end of a wooden spoon, poke holes every 1-2 inches across the entire surface of the warm cake.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together both packages of instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken slightly.
05 - Divide pudding evenly among 4 separate bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl (pink, purple, blue, yellow) and stir until vibrant colors are achieved.
06 - Spoon the colored puddings into the holes randomly, alternating colors to create a rainbow effect throughout the cake.
07 - Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire surface of the cooled cake using a spatula.
08 - Sprinkle unicorn or colorful confetti sprinkles generously over the top. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow pudding to set before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The poke technique makes every slice an explosion of color that people literally gasp at
  • It comes together faster than you would expect for something this show stopping
  • The combination of moist cake, creamy pudding, and fluffy topping hits every comfort note
02 -
  • Warm cake absorbs the pudding better, but wait the full 10 minutes or it will collapse
  • If your pudding seems too thin, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes before pouring
  • The colors will bleed together slightly, which actually makes it look more magical
03 -
  • Use a squeeze bottle for the pudding if you want cleaner lines in each hole
  • Warm your knife under hot water between slices for the cleanest cuts

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