Unicorn Poke Cake (Printable)

Colorful confetti cake with 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 per package instructions)

→ Poke Filling

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

→ Topping

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

# How-to Steps:

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 instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
03 - Remove cake from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
04 - Using the handle end of a wooden spoon, poke holes every 1-2 inches across the surface of the warm cake.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together instant pudding mixes and cold milk for about 2 minutes until mixture begins to thicken slightly.
06 - Divide pudding mixture evenly among 4 separate bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl, mixing thoroughly until vibrant colors are achieved.
07 - Spoon the colored puddings randomly into the holes, alternating colors to create a rainbow effect throughout the cake.
08 - Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire surface of the cooled cake.
09 - Sprinkle unicorn or colorful confetti sprinkles generously over the whipped topping.
10 - Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour to allow pudding to set. Slice into squares and serve cold.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The rainbow pudding layers peeking through each slice make everyone gasp, no matter their age
  • Its the perfect balance of fluffy cake and creamy pudding without any fancy techniques
  • You can customize the colors for any occasion or holiday
02 -
  • Poking holes while the cake is still warm gives you softer edges and better absorption
  • Gel food coloring is absolutely worth the extra cost for those vivid, Instagram worthy results
  • Letting the cake chill completely before slicing keeps those rainbow layers intact and picture perfect
03 -
  • If your pudding starts setting up too fast, whisk in a tablespoon of cold milk to loosen it
  • A piping bag makes filling the holes much less messy than using spoons

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