St Patricks Lime Poke Cake

My neighbor brought this to our block party last March and I literally could not stop eating it. The way that bright green gelatin seeps into every tender crumb creates something almost magical in texture. Everyone kept asking what made it so incredibly moist and refreshingly tangy. Now it is the first thing I think of when St. Patricks Day starts approaching.

I made this for my inlaws first St. Patricks Day dinner and my father in law took one bite and declared it better than anything he had in Ireland. The whole family hovered around the pan while I was still trying to get it onto serving plates. Now every year I get text messages in January asking if the green cake is happening again.

Ingredients

• White cake mix: Using a quality mix gives you the perfect blank canvas that absorbs all that lime gelatin beautifully
• Lime gelatin: This is the secret ingredient that transforms an ordinary cake into something extraordinary and festive
• Instant vanilla pudding mix: Creates that luscious creamy layer that balances the bright citrus with classic comfort
• Whipped topping: Folded into the pudding it makes the lightest fluffiest topping you can imagine
• Fresh lime zest: The finishing touch that adds little bursts of essential oil perfume and gorgeous color contrast

Instructions

Bake your canvas:

Preheat that oven to 350°F and grab your favorite 9x13 inch pan. Mix the cake batter according to the box instructions then pour it in and bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Create the magic holes:

Let the cake cool for just 10 minutes then grab a wooden spoon handle. Poke holes all over the cake about one inch apart and go all the way through but do not tear it up too much.

Make the lime infusion:

Dissolve the lime gelatin in boiling water then stir in your cold water. Slowly pour this vibrant green liquid over the entire cake letting it disappear into all those holes you created.

The patient chill:

Pop the whole pan in the fridge for at least an hour. This is when the gelatin sets up and creates that incredible moist texture throughout every single bite.

Whip up the clouds:

Whisk together the cold milk and vanilla pudding mix for about two minutes. Fold in that whipped topping until everything is perfectly combined and fluffy.

Final assembly:

Spread the creamy pudding mixture over your chilled lime cake. Add fresh lime zest and maybe some green sprinkles if you are feeling festive. Give it another 30 minutes in the fridge then serve cold.

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Last year my daughter asked if we could make it for her birthday instead of St. Patricks Day. I swapped the lime gelatin for strawberry and it was just as amazing. Something about this recipe structure just works no matter what flavor you choose.

Make Ahead Magic

This cake actually tastes better after sitting in the refrigerator overnight. The flavors have time to meld together and the texture becomes even more incredibly moist. I always try to assemble it the night before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Cut this into small squares because a little goes a long way with such a rich dessert. It pairs beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold milk to balance all that sweet creamy goodness.

Storage Secrets

Keep this cake covered in the refrigerator and it will stay fresh for up to four days. The texture actually continues to improve as those gelatin and pudding layers settle into the cake even more.

• Use plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent any fridge odors from absorbing
• Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture
• The whipped topping stays perfect thanks to the pudding stabilizing everything

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There is something so joyful about serving a dessert that makes people smile before they even take a bite. This cake has become our March tradition and I honestly look forward to it all year long.