Name: Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 18.25 oz. package of premium white cake mix; Ingredients as called for on the cake mix package (e.g., water, oil, eggs); 1 3 oz. package of raspberry-flavored gelatin; 2 cups of hot purified water; 1 10 oz. container of high-quality raspberry preserves; 1 8 oz. container of whipped topping, thawed; 1 7 oz. packet of unsweetened shredded coconut

Dive into the ultimate dessert experience with our Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake recipe featuring a premium white cake soaked in raspberry gelatin, layered with raspberry preserves, topped with fluffy whipped cream, and finished with a sprinkle of coconut. It’s a berrylicious delight!

Ah, the Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake! This recipe is a tribute to my Grandma Lucy, who had a knack for turning simple ingredients into extraordinary desserts. Every summer, we’d pick raspberries from her backyard, our fingers stained red and our baskets brimming. One year, as a baking experiment, we decided to infuse her classic white cake with the fresh raspberries we had gathered. We poked holes in the cake and let the raspberry gelatin seep through, creating a surprise burst of flavor with every bite. Grandma then slathered on raspberry preserves (her secret weapon in the kitchen) and crowned it with whipped topping and a snowfall of coconut. This cake became a family legend, and each bite now takes me down memory lane, to those sweet summer days with Grandma, her laughter echoing as we licked our sticky fingers clean.

What makes this Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake Recipe Truly Stand Out?

This Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake isn’t just a cake; it’s a festive fiesta of flavors and textures. What sets it apart is the playful poke method, where you get to unleash your inner child and make holes in the cake – it’s practically therapeutic! This isn’t just a cake; it’s a stress relief session followed by a flavor party. Then there’s the raspberry gelatin, seeping into each pore and cranny, infusing the cake with a tangy zing that’s both surprising and delightful. The raspberry preserves add a layer of fruitiness that pairs perfectly with the light-as-air whipped topping. And let’s not forget the coconut – it’s not just a garnish; it’s the unsung hero that brings a subtle crunch and tropical vibe. It’s a cake that promises excitement with every forkful!

Ingredients Notes for Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake

Alright, budding bakers, let’s chat about the star players in our Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake ensemble:

White Cake Mix: Go for the premium stuff, because your cake is the canvas and we’re making edible art here.
Cake Mix Ingredients: Just follow the yellow brick road (aka the back of the box) to get your cake foundations right.
Raspberry Gelatin: This is where the zinger comes in, zapping the cake with raspberry electric.
Hot Water: Pure, like a spring from Mount Olympus, to dissolve our raspberry pixie dust.
Raspberry Preserves: Think of the richest, most berry-licious jam you’ve ever spooned from the jar when no one’s looking.
Whipped Topping: This is the cloud on which all our raspberry dreams will float.
Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: Because a little tropical snow never hurt anybody.

Remember, quality ingredients are the secret handshake in the baking society. Use the good stuff, and your cake will be in the Hall of Fame.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Okay, team, let’s rally and turn this Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake from a dream into reality!

You’ve got your apron tied, your ingredients lined up like little soldiers ready for duty, and that twinkle in your eye that says, “I’m about to bake something amazing.” Let’s do this!

Step 1: Cake Preparation First things first, let’s bake that white cake. Whip out the box and give the instructions a salute. We’re following them to the letter, no creative liberties here. Mix, pour, bake – it’s like the Hokey Pokey of baking. Get that batter smooth and pour it into your 9×13-inch pan, then pop it in the oven and let it do its golden-brown dance.

Step 2: Cooling Period Patience, young grasshopper. Let that cake cool for a spell, about 30 minutes should do the trick. It’s a good time to practice your victory dance for later.

Step 3: Creating Perforations Now for the fun part! Grab a wooden spoon or a fork (if you’re feeling wild) and poke holes halfway through the cake. It should look like a cake version of whack-a-mole after the moles have had a party.

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Step 4: Gelatin Preparation and Application Time for the zinger! Mix that raspberry gelatin with hot water until it’s as smooth as jazz. Pour it over the cake, filling those holes with raspberry goodness. It’s like a raspberry rain on your cake plain.

Step 5: Application of Raspberry Preserves Warm up those preserves until they’re as spreadable as a rumor in a small town. Spread it over the cake gently, like you’re tucking it in with a fruit blanket.

Step 6: Topping Application Bring on the whipped topping, spreading it across the cake like a smooth layer of snow. This is where the clouds come in.

Step 7: Final Garnish Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow – with coconut! Sprinkle it over the top like a coconut-free Christmas.

Step 8: Refrigeration Play the waiting game and chill the cake in the fridge for 4 hours. Trust me, it’s worth it.

And voilà, you’ve just baked a masterpiece! Give yourself a round of applause and maybe a poke or two to make sure you’re not dreaming.

Storage Options for the Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake:

Once you’ve had your fill (if that’s even possible), you’ve got to think about the long game: storing this cake masterpiece. Tuck it into the fridge, snug as a bug in a rug, with a proper cover (cling film or a cake keeper) to keep it as fresh as Will Smith in the ’90s. It’s a cake with stamina; it can last a few days, assuming you can resist the temptation for that long. Think of it as a test of willpower (or just hide it behind the veggies to forget it’s there).

Gluten-Free Variations and Substitutions:

Hey, gluten-free gang, you’re not left out of the party; you’re just bringing your own groovy dance moves! Here’s how you can shimmy into this recipe with some smart swaps:

Gluten-Free White Cake Mix: There are some stellar gluten-free cake mixes out there, so snag one and start your engines.
Gluten-Free Raspberry Gelatin: Gelatin is usually gluten-free, but check that label like you’re Sherlock with a magnifying glass.
Gluten-Free Raspberry Preserves: Preserves are typically a safe bet, but still, check that label. It’s all about the detective work.
Whipped Topping: Most are gluten-free, but give it the old label checker to be sure.
Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: It’s naturally gluten-free, but watch out for sneaky additives. Pure is what we’re aiming for.

By making these tweaks, you’ll have a cake that’s as inclusive as it is delicious. Everyone gets a slice of the action, and no one’s taste buds are left behind.

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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

<Remember it later>

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!