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Sparkling Cherry Poke Cake

Cheerwine Poke Cake: A Southern Cherry Delight for Every Gathering

Delicious Cheerwine Poke Cake with whipped cream and cherry garnish, ready to serve at a summer picnic.

Welcome to the heart of Southern charm, where hospitality is as sweet as our desserts! Today, we’re diving into a beloved classic with a unique twist: the Cheerwine Poke Cake. This delectable creation is a celebration of all things cherry, infused with the distinctive flavor of Cheerwine soda and bright cherry gelatin, all crowned with a luscious cloud of homemade whipped cream.

Originating from Salisbury, North Carolina, Cheerwine holds a special place in Southern culture. This unique cherry-flavored soda, often described as a richer, sweeter, and more intensely cherry version of Dr. Pepper, is completely alcohol-free despite its name. It’s a taste of nostalgia for many in the Southeast, and its syrupy sweetness and vibrant cherry notes make it an exceptional secret ingredient for baking. If you’re a fan of unique soda-infused desserts, you might also love making a Cheerwine Bundt Cake, which perfectly showcases this soda’s delightful flavor.

Why Poke Cakes Are Your Go-To for Gatherings

Poke cakes are a genius invention, especially when you need a dessert that impresses a crowd with minimal fuss. They are the quintessential summer dessert for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings for several fantastic reasons:

  • Feeds a Crowd: Typically baked in a 9×13-inch pan, they yield plenty of servings, making them perfect for larger groups.
  • Served Chilled: The refreshing coolness of a poke cake makes it incredibly appealing on a warm day, offering a delightful respite from the heat.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare it a day in advance, and the flavors will meld beautifully, often tasting even better. This frees up your time on the day of your event.
  • Moisture and Flavor Infusion: The “poke” technique ensures every bite is incredibly moist and bursting with flavor as the liquid seeps into the cake.

Close-up of a slice of Cheerwine Poke Cake, showing the moist cherry-infused cake layers and fluffy white whipped cream topping.

Unveiling Cheerwine: The Southern Secret Ingredient

If you’re new to the world of Cheerwine, prepare for a delightful discovery! This burgundy-hued soda has been a Southern staple since 1917, celebrated for its bold, effervescent cherry taste. Unlike other cherry sodas, Cheerwine boasts a unique sweetness and a distinctly robust cherry profile that’s truly unmatched. There’s no wine or alcohol involved; just pure, bubbly, cherry deliciousness.

Its vibrant flavor isn’t just for drinking. In this poke cake, Cheerwine does double duty, enriching the cake batter with its signature taste and then again infusing the cake as part of the gelatin mixture. This creates layers of cherry goodness that are simply irresistible. If you’re wondering where to find this Southern gem in your area, be sure to check out Cheerwinefinder.com. For those outside its typical distribution, you can also easily order Cheerwine online and have this unique soda delivered right to your door.

The Perfect Cherry Harmony in Every Bite

This Cheerwine Poke Cake is a true symphony of cherry flavors. We don’t just stop at using Cheerwine in the cake and the poke mixture; we elevate the cherry experience even further. The recipe calls for a box of cherry-flavored gelatin, which adds an extra burst of fruitiness and helps create that signature jiggly, moist texture that makes poke cakes so addictive. And for a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal, chopped maraschino cherries are folded into the cake batter, ensuring a little pop of cherry in nearly every forkful.

The combination of these elements—the cake baked with Cheerwine, then saturated with Cheerwine-infused cherry gelatin, and finally adorned with sweet maraschino cherries—makes for an utterly “cherry-i-fic” summer dessert. It’s a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Full view of Cheerwine Poke Cake on a table, garnished with fresh maraschino cherries and ready to be served.

Tips for Baking Your Best Cheerwine Poke Cake

Creating this delightful Cheerwine Poke Cake is straightforward, but a few tips can ensure your dessert is absolutely perfect:

  • Don’t Overbake: A moist cake is key for poke cakes. Keep an eye on your oven and bake only until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Overbaking will lead to a dry cake that won’t absorb the gelatin mixture as well.
  • Even Pokes: When poking holes, aim for even spacing, about 1-2 inches apart. A straw or the handle of a wooden spoon works perfectly. Ensure the holes go deep enough to allow the gelatin to thoroughly penetrate the cake, but not all the way to the bottom of the pan to prevent leaks.
  • Chill Time is Crucial: Resist the urge to cut into your cake too soon! The minimum 4 hours of refrigeration allows the gelatin to set properly and the flavors to fully meld, resulting in a perfectly moist and flavorful cake. Overnight chilling is even better!
  • Whipped Cream Perfection: For the fluffiest whipped cream, make sure your heavy cream, bowl, and beaters are very cold. This helps the cream whip up faster and hold its peaks better. The addition of maraschino cherry juice not only adds a lovely pink hue but also an extra layer of cherry flavor to the topping.
  • Storage: Keep any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. This cake is best enjoyed within 2-3 days.

Variations to Explore

While the classic Cheerwine Poke Cake is fantastic as is, feel free to get creative with these variations:

  • Cake Mix Flavors: While white cake mix highlights the cherry, a chocolate cake mix would create a delicious chocolate-cherry combination. Vanilla or yellow cake mixes also work wonderfully.
  • Gelatin Swaps: Experiment with other red fruit gelatins like strawberry or raspberry for a slightly different flavor profile.
  • Topping Alternatives: Instead of whipped cream, you could use a cream cheese frosting for a richer dessert, or a simple vanilla buttercream. A sprinkle of chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips would also be a great addition.
  • Extra Cherry Boost: For even more cherry flavor, drizzle a little extra maraschino cherry juice over the cake before adding the whipped cream.

Serving Suggestions

This Cheerwine Poke Cake is a standout on its own, but here are a few ideas to make it even more special:

  • Serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent treat.
  • Pair it with a glass of chilled Cheerwine for the ultimate cherry experience.
  • Offer a bowl of fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries) on the side for a lighter contrast.
  • It’s the ideal centerpiece for a summer barbecue, Fourth of July celebration, or any casual get-together.

Cheerwine Poke Cake Recipe

A Southern classic, this cherry-infused poke cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

Rating: 5 from 1 vote

Servings: 16 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix (e.g., Duncan Hines), plus ingredients needed on back of box
  • 1 cup Cheerwine
  • 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheerwine (for gelatin mixture)
  • 1 (3-ounce) box cherry-flavored gelatin
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons liquid from Maraschino cherry jar
  • Maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9×13-inch pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, substituting the 1 cup of Cheerwine for the water, and stirring in the chopped maraschino cherries.
  3. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for the recommended time on the cake box. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.
  4. While the cake cools, prepare the gelatin mixture. In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of Cheerwine to a boil. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cherry-flavored gelatin until completely dissolved.
  5. Using a straw or the handle of a wooden spoon, carefully poke holes evenly over the entire surface of the warm cake, approximately every 2 inches.
  6. Carefully pour the dissolved gelatin mixture evenly over the poked cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
  7. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the gelatin is fully set and the cake is chilled through.
  8. Just before serving, prepare the whipped cream topping. Using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and 2 tablespoons of liquid from the maraschino cherry jar until stiff peaks form.
  9. Spread the fluffy whipped cream evenly on top of the chilled cake. Garnish with additional maraschino cherries as desired. Keep any leftovers refrigerated.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this delightful Cheerwine Poke Cake? We’d love to see it!

Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on your favorite social media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook to share your creation!

More Southern Potluck Desserts You’ll Love

Easy Peach Cobbler

Butterfinger Lush

We hope this Cheerwine Poke Cake becomes a new favorite in your recipe collection, bringing a taste of Southern sweetness and cheer to all your gatherings. Its vibrant cherry flavor, moist texture, and make-ahead convenience make it an unbeatable choice for any occasion. Happy baking!

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