Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make for a family after dinner dessert. Don't miss out on all the dreaminess of a red velvet cream cheese poke-filled cake!
Some of our faves include these 25 Drool-Worthy Red Velvet Dessert Recipes, this Valentine Red Velvet Party Blast Cookie Pie and these Red Velvet Cake Donuts!
What is Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake?
Are you a cake lover? Have you ever had a poke cake? Whoa! If not, you're missing out on all the dreaminess of a poke-filled cake that includes red velvet, cheesecake pudding and whipped cream!
This red velvet cake recipe is a decadent and delicious twist on a classic poke cake, Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake and it is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Our rich red velvet cake is softened with a creamy cream cheese pudding filling, and then finished off with a light and fluffy whipped cream frosting. It's a showstopper for any special celebration – easily made to feed a crowd of hungry party-goers, but also just as perfect for a cozy night in with family and friends.
What Flavor is Red Velvet Cake?
Red velvet cake is a colorful dessert usually associated with a homemade cream cheese frosting. It gets its red color from red food coloring.
It has a little bit of cocoa powder and vanilla extract flavor, and sometimes buttermilk too for extra flavor. So it’s a treat with a delicious flavor and a beautiful hue!
If you're looking for a homemade red velvet cake recipe for this instead of a boxed cake version, you'll love this "American Beauty" Retro Red Velvet Cake!
About Poke Cakes
As far as poke cakes? They are generally filled with sweetened condensed milk or pudding that soaks in the cake poked holes and then the whole cake is topped with a fluffy whipped cream or frosting. Sounds pretty yummy, right? YEAH!!
They are best eaten the next day, so this is perfect to make ahead of time, so you can focus on other things and then pull it out when you're ready to dive in!
What is really cool about poke cakes are you can mix and match cake mixes, puddings, whipped cream flavors, frostings and toppings to color coordinate for your special occasion or favorite flavors. Get as creative as you want!
This recipe will give you all the details you need to bake the most amazing Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake, from mixing the ingredients to the final presentation. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this simple yet stunning cake is a guaranteed hit every time. So grab your ingredients and get ready to make your own Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake!
Ingredients You Need
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake Recipe
- 1 Red Velvet Cake Mix
+ ingredients called out on box recipe
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 8 oz very softened cream cheese
- 12 oz tub of whipped cream, like Cool Whip or 5-6 cups of whipped cream - Can also use 8 oz for 3 cups, but we prefer more whipped cream on top for the fluffy effect!
How To Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake
- Bake cake in oven as directed on cake box directions using ingredients called out for a 9x13 cake pan.
- After cake has baked, let it cool, then poke holes in cake.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
- Using a whisk or mixer, in a medium sized bowl, beat softened cream cheese (microwave 30 seconds if not softened) then add in sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
- our mixture over holes in cake and smooth out into holes as much as possible.
Frost Cake with Whipped Cream
- Frost cake with whipped cream and place in fridge overnight or up to 6 hours. Add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips or mini white chocolate chips, fruit or leave as is!
- Cut and devour! Great for Valentine's Day or Christmas celebrations!
Other Cream Cheese Filling Versions You Could Use
This poke cake uses sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese for the poke filling, but you can also use cheesecake pudding or vanilla pudding and add some softened cream cheese to still make it cream cheese flavored because, seriously, does anything go better with red velvet?
- For the cheesecake pudding, I would use 2 of the small instant pudding mix packages and add the milk as directed on the package instead of one package, to get a lot of pudding, versus not enough.
- If you use the vanilla pudding or white chocolate pudding and cream cheese, whip softened cream cheese, add in 1 box of preferred pudding and 1 ½ cups of milk and boom!
More Topping Tips
- If you choose to add a frosting or ganache to the top of your pudding/condensed milk layer, you should make sure the frosting/ganache is sort of melty because it will tear up the cake and it will be hard to frost.
- For frostings in a tub you purchase from the store, remove the lid and seal from the frosting and microwave for 15-20 second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the frosting can be poured, but not bubbling. If you microwave it too much, the frosting will break down and it won't set up properly.
This Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake is a delectable, nostalgic dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! With its beautiful layers of red velvet cake, cream cheese fluff, and topped with fluffy whipped cream layer, this poke cake is easy to make, impressive to look at, and a delight to eat.
It's a classic twist on an old favorite that is perfect to make for any gathering. Don't be afraid to get creative and have some fun in the kitchen, because this Red Velvet dessert is sure to be a sure hit!
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Poke Cake is awaiting you! You may love these Red Velvet Levain Cookies or these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bites for more yummy treats!
Our Family Absolutely Love Poke Cakes! Our Favorites Include...
- Easy Boston Cream Poke Cake
- Sinful Triple Chocolate Fudge Poke Cake
- 25 Dreamy Pudding Poke Cakes You Shouldn't Live Without!
- Easy Caramel Cream Chocolate Poke Cake
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Devil’s Food Chocolate Poke Cake
- Strawberry Creme Passion Poke Cake! {True Luv}
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Malt Poke Cake
- Decadent Red Wine Chocolate Cake
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake
Ingredients
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake
- 1 Red Velvet Cake Mix + ingredients called out on box recipe
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 8 oz very softened cream cheese
- 12 oz tub of whipped cream or 5-6 cups of whipped cream can also use 8 oz for 3 cups, but we prefer more whipped cream
Instructions
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake
- Bake cake as directed on cake box directions using ingredients called out for a 9x13 cake.
- After cake has baked, let it cool, then poke with holes.
- Using a whisk or mixer, beat softened cream cheese (microwave 30 seconds if not softened) then add in sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
- Pour over holes in cake and smooth out into holes as much as possible.
- Frost cake with whipped cream and place in fridge overnight or up to 6 hours.
- Cut and devour!
Notes
- Other cream cheese filling versions: This poke cake uses sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese for the poke filling, but you can also use cheesecake pudding or vanilla pudding and add some softened cream cheese to still make it cream cheese flavored because, seriously, does anything go better with red velvet?
- For the cheesecake pudding, I would use 2 of the small packages and add the milk as directed on the package instead of one package, to get a lot of pudding, versus not enough.
- If you use the vanilla pudding and cream cheese, whip softened cream cheese, add in 1 box of vanilla pudding and 1 ½ cups of milk and boom!
Check out these 7 Layer Red Velvet Bars and these Mini Cupcake Golden Oreo Cookie Balls too!
Kim Lange says
I don't see why you couldn't? Sounds like a plan Lisa! 😉
Lisa says
Do you think this recipe could be used with cupcakes? I’m willing to give it a try!
Kim Lange says
Hi Lauren! Using a mixer or whisk, mix the softened cream cheese with pudding mix together first to get creamy and smooth and then add in your milk. Enjoy!!
Lauren says
Hello! This looks delicious and easy to make... question on the pudding addition. Do you prepare the pudding and then mix with cream cheese? Or do you simply add the powder as is? Thank you! 😊
Kim Lange says
14 oz. Maureen. 🙂
Maureen says
What size can of sweetened condensed milk?
Katerina says
This looks lovely - would you believe I have never had a poke cake? Time to give it a go - thanks for the inspiration!
Kim Lange says
Thank you Katherine! It's definitely one way to please a family! 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
This is DREAMY Kim!!! Poke cake is always SOOOO moist and delicious. I'm craving this big time my friend!! Perfect for Valentine's!! XO
Kim Lange says
Hi Diane, Cool Whip has 12 oz tubs and the ingredients called out on recipe box are those on the back of the box how to make the cake, meaning eggs, oil and water. If you can't find the 12 ounce tubs, you can buy 2 8 oz tubs and use 1/2 of one + a whole tub or use almost 6 cups of whipped cream. Hope that helps?
Diane says
List of ingredients looks off:
Easy Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Poke Cake
1 Red Velvet Cake Mix + ingredients called out on box recipe
And whipped cream doesn't come in 12-oz tubs.
Kim Lange says
It is Kelsie! That red color does it all! Thank you so much!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Poke cakes are the best! This would be such a great dessert for Valentine's Day--I can taste it already!