This homemade red velvet poke cake is always a hit. You'll crave this easy poke cake; it's so good. You can make the best poke cake with 12 ingredients + frosting.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
8tablespoonsunsalted butter, at room temperature
1½cupsgranulated sugar
2large eggs, at room temperature
5tablespoonsunsweetened cocoa powder
6tablespoonsred food coloring
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1cupbuttermilk
2¼cupsall-purpose flour
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonbaking soda
1tablespoondistilled white vinegar
For the Drizzle:
112-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
For the Frosting:
8ouncesbutter, at room temperature
8ouncescream cheese, at room temperature
4¼cupspowdered sugar
2tablespoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the cake from the pan) Butter the parchment.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then add the eggs and beat on high until well combined.
In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a smooth thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again making sure that all the batter gets color.
With the mixer on low, add half of the buttermilk and half of the flour; mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth, about 1 minute.
Reduce the mixer to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another 2 minutes until completely combined and smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove the cake from the oven and immediately poke holes all over the top of the cake. You can use the end of a wooden spoon, a skewer, the tines of a fork, etc. Slowly pour the can of condensed milk all over the top of the cake, making sure to drizzle it evenly all over the top. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
To make the Frosting: Place butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.
Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake and decorate as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.