St. Patricks Lime Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist, vibrant green lime cake with zesty citrus and creamy whipped topping. A festive treat perfect for St. Patricks Day.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 ounces) white cake mix
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 3 large eggs
→ Lime Gelatin
05 - 1 package (3 ounces) lime-flavored gelatin
06 - 1 cup boiling water
07 - 1/2 cup cold water
→ Topping
08 - 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
09 - 1 tablespoon lime zest, plus additional for garnish
10 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes until well combined.
03 - Pour the prepared batter into the greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
04 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before proceeding.
05 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, carefully poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart.
06 - In a medium bowl, fully dissolve the lime-flavored gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Once dissolved, stir in 1/2 cup of cold water.
07 - Slowly and evenly pour the prepared gelatin mixture over the warm cake, ensuring it soaks into all the poked holes.
08 - Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 2 hours, or until it is completely chilled and the gelatin has fully set.
09 - In a small bowl, gently fold the 1 tablespoon of lime zest and the optional 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar into the thawed whipped topping.
10 - Evenly spread the flavored whipped topping over the chilled cake. Garnish with additional lime zest as desired.
11 - Slice and serve the cake chilled for best enjoyment.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's astonishingly simple to whip up, yet it looks like you spent hours perfecting it—your secret, not mine!
- The way the lime gelatin soaks into every crevice of the cake creates an unbelievably moist texture and a bright, tangy flavor that's utterly addictive.
02 -
- Rushing the chilling step is a big no no; the gelatin needs that full time to set properly, otherwise, your cake might be a watery mess.
- Poking the holes while the cake is still warm makes them absorb the gelatin much better than if you wait for it to cool completely.
03 -
- Always use a wooden spoon handle for poking holes; it creates the ideal size and depth for optimal gelatin absorption without tearing the cake.
- For a truly pristine presentation, ensure the cake is completely cold before spreading the whipped topping, preventing any melting or smudging.