Red Velvet Christmas Poke Cake

This easy Red Velvet Christmas Poke Cake brings holiday magic to a classic poke. A soft red velvet cake soaks up sweet condensed milk, and the cream cheese frosting adds that perfect tangy sweetness.

The green-tinted whipped topping creates a festive color combination with the red velvet cake. Sprinkled with M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and Christmas decorations, this cake looks like it came straight from Santa's workshop.

This red velvet cake shows up at all my holiday gatherings because everyone loves it, and honestly, it's so easy to make. The red cake with its green topping catches everyone's eye, and who can resist classic red velvet flavors?

One nice thing about this cake - it actually tastes better the next day because the condensed milk makes it super moist.

I started making this cake for our family Christmas movie nights. We grab big slices and cozy up with blankets and hot chocolate to watch our favorite holiday movies. 

The kids love going all out arranging the M&Ms and sprinkles on top, and each cake ends up looking totally different. Sometimes we raid our Christmas candy bowl and throw on whatever festive candy we find!

I keep these ingredients stocked in December because you never know when you'll need a quick dessert. Using a box mix means I can throw it together fast if friends pop over or if I need something for a holiday party. 

Plus, it stays fresh in the fridge for almost a week, which is super helpful during the crazy holiday season.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: Any brand works great - just grab your favorite one. Don't forget to check the box for the extra ingredients you'll need (usually eggs, oil, and water).
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is what makes the cake super moist. One 14-ounce can is perfect for a 9x13 cake.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Store-bought saves time and works perfectly. If you love making your own, that's awesome too.
• Cool Whip: Make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight. Real whipped cream might work, but Cool Whip holds its shape better.
• Green Food Coloring: Gel coloring gives you the best green color without making the topping runny. Start with a few drops and add more until you like the shade.
• M&Ms and White Chocolate Chips: The red and green M&Ms add fun pops of color and crunch. White chocolate chips look like little snowflakes on top!
• Christmas Sprinkles: Use any festive sprinkles you like - stars, trees, or classic holiday shapes all look great.

How To Make Red Velvet Christmas Poke Cake

First, turn your oven on to whatever temperature your cake mix calls for, and grab a 9x13 pan. I give mine a quick spray with cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks.

Mix up your red velvet cake following the box instructions. This usually means combining the mix with eggs, water, and oil, but double-check your box to be sure. Pour the batter into your pan and pop it in the oven. Most box mixes take about 30 minutes to bake. You'll know it's done when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Once your cake is out of the oven, let it cool right in the pan. When it's no longer hot (about 30 minutes or so), grab a straw or the handle end of a wooden spoon. Poke holes all over the cake - I do them about an inch apart. 

Now, pour the sweetened condensed milk slowly over the whole cake, making sure it gets into all those holes. Some will pool on top, and that's totally fine.

Next, spread your cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake. Then, mix a few drops of green food coloring into your Cool Whip. Keep adding drops and stirring until you get a nice Christmas green color. Spread this green layer over the cream cheese frosting.

Pop the whole cake in the fridge for at least an hour. This helps everything set up nicely. When you're ready to serve, sprinkle on your M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and Christmas sprinkles.

Can I use homemade cream cheese frosting instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup softened butter, three cups powdered sugar, and one teaspoon vanilla until smooth. This will give you enough to cover the cake.

Can I use regular whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

While you can, I don't recommend it. Cool Whip holds its shape much better, especially if you're making the cake ahead. Whipped cream tends to deflate over time.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: This cake is perfect for making a day in advance. In fact, the extra time in the fridge lets the condensed milk soak in even more, making the cake extra moist. Just hold off on adding the M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles until right before serving - they look best when they're fresh.

Store: Keep your cake covered in the fridge in an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to 4 days, though in my experience, it rarely makes it that long! Take it out about 15 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature.

Freeze: Once it's completely chilled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of foil. It'll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to serve, just move it to the fridge the day before to thaw. Add your toppings after it's thawed, and you're good to go.

Recipe Tips

• Don't skimp on the holes when making this poke cake. More holes mean more places for the condensed milk to soak in. I space mine about an inch apart.
• Make sure your Cool Whip is completely thawed before mixing in the food coloring. If it's still frozen, you'll end up with green streaks instead of a smooth color.
• Room temperature cream cheese frosting spreads much more easily than cold frosting. I take mine out of the fridge about 30 minutes before using it.
• For clean slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts. This helps prevent the layers from dragging.

We love poke cakes in our house. A few favorites include this Snickers Poke Cake, Lemon Meringue Poke Cake and Pineapple Poke Cake.

This Red Velvet Christmas Poke Cake takes the classic red velvet flavor we all love and turns it into something extra special for the holidays. This cake is sure to be the star of the dessert table!