Unicorn Poke Cake recipe is a whimsical way to make a moist, colorful cake that’s poked and filled with pockets of pudding, covered with Cool Whip, and decorated with a dusting of sparkle sprinkles. Perfectly pretty for birthday parties, unicorn parties, Pride month, or any special occasion.

a slice of Unicorn Poke Cake on the plate with sprinkles.

Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe

Our easy Unicorn Poke Cake is just as magical as my rainbow poke cake, but this recipe has been revised with simple shortcut steps and then swirls the colored cake batter rather than arranging them in rows.

A slice of unicorn cake can add a pop of color to any party and reveal an array of rainbow colors hidden beneath the whipped cream covering.

For more colorful cakes and desserts, check out my other Rainbow Recipes.

What Is A Poke Cake?

A poke cake is a freshly baked cake, either from a box or from scratch, poked with holes and filled with a liquid or creamy filling to infuse flavor. Popular fillings include condensed milk, pureed fruit or preserves, pudding, chocolate cream, caramel or chocolate sauce, or jello.

Unicorn Poke Cake Ingredients

White cake mix: I used Duncan Hines brand but feel free to use your favorite box mix brand or make your unicorn poke cake from scratch. You can substitute yellow cake for the white cake, but keep in mind that the yellow cake will change the color of the tinted cake batter.
Water
Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil helps keep the cake moist so it won’t dry out.
Egg whites: Using egg whites contributes to the cake’s light and airy texture, as they help create a delicate crumb structure when whipped.
Blue gel food coloring: I used neon blue.
Purple gel food coloring: I used regal purple.
Pink gel food coloring: I used neon pink.
French vanilla instant pudding mix: I used the Jell-O brand. Make sure you use packages of instant pudding mix, not the cook-and-serve kind.
Whole milk: Whole milk works best to create thick and creamy pudding.
Whipped topping: Cool Whip or a homemade whipped cream can also be used.
Unicorn sparkle candy sprinkles: I used the CandiFetti brand but any kind of nonpareils, colorful sprinkles, Unicorn candy mix, colored sanding sugar can be used to top your unicorn cake.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

bitten Unicorn Poke Cake on the plate with unicorn candy sprinkles.

How to Make Unicorn Poke Cake

Make The Cake Batter: Mix together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites until fully combined.
Color The Cake Batter: Divide the cake batter into 3 bowls. Stir in 3-4 drops of blue food coloring to one bowl, 5-7 drops of purple to the second, and 5-7 drops of pink to the third.
Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of tinted cake mix into the baking dish. Use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to swirl the batter in a pretty pattern.
Bake: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-28 minutes. Cool completely and then poke holes about an inch apart.
Prepare The Pudding: Whisk together the milk and pudding mixes until it begins to thicken. Spoon the pudding into the holes until filled then spread the remaining pudding over the cake.
Cover With Whipped Cream: Spread the whipped topping on top of the pudding layer. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Sprinkle, Slice and Serve: Sprinkle unicorn sparkle sprinkles over the whipped topping. Cut into 3 x 5 slices. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Drop spoonfuls of tinted cake mix into the baking dish. Swirl the batter in a pretty pattern and bake. Poke holes into the cake. Spoon the pudding into the holes until filled then spread the remaining pudding over the cake. Spread the whipped topping on top of the pudding layer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your slice with a scoop of Unicorn Ice Cream, a square of Unicorn Fudge, a sip of Unicorn Hot Chocolate, a piece of Unicorn Poop Bark or some Unicorn Whoopie Pies.

You can decorate your cake with festive sprinkles (such as nonpareils, sugar pearls, and jimmies) for a birthday party, fresh fruit, chopped candy, or crushed cookies, or any kind of frosting to fit a theme or celebration.

taking a square piece of Unicorn poke cake from casserole dish.

Tips & Variations

Customize Your Colors: This poke cake recipe is so easy to customize for any themed party or holiday. Simply switch up the gel food colors to match your celebration. I strongly recommend using the gel food color instead of regular food colors. You will end up adding less extra moisture with gel food color.
Pipe The Pudding: For more accuracy, you can add the pudding to a disposable piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off to fill the holes instead of spreading with a spoon.
How To Make The Holes: To poke holes, I recommend using a large round wooden spoon handle or other similar-sized object so that the holes are fairly big and the pudding has plenty of room to be piped in between.
Cool Your Cake: You should let this cake cool for 1 hour in the fridge before frosting with Cool Whip and to allow the pudding to set properly. Otherwise you may end up with a soggy bottom.
Go With Glass: I recommend using glass bowls or even disposable bowls when coloring the cake batter. Glass bowls usually do not stain and are easier to clean.
Cook The Cake: You will know your cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the center comes away clean and the top bounces back when gently tapped. Every oven cooks differently, so begin checking the cake at the 22 minute mark.

Proper Storage

To Store: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing this cake as the pudding does not freeze and thaw well.

unicorn poke case inside casserole dish.

More Easy Poke Cake Recipes

If you tried this Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!