Looking to win the heart of your true love this Valentine’s Day? Make this Decadent (But Easy!) Valentine Poke Cake. You’ll be sweethearts in no time. Share the cake and a Cherry Coke.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 egg
• whole milk
• butter, melted and cooled
• maraschino cherries

For the Cherry Coke gelatin:

• 12 oz. Cherry Coke, chilled
• 6 oz. package cherry gelatin
• ½ cup water

For the topping:

• 8 oz. whipped topping, thawed
• 3.5 oz. vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• maraschino cherries (for garnish)

Directions

For the cake

Prepare the cake mix according to the directions, making the following additions and substitutions:

• add one egg
• use whole milk instead of water
• replace the oil with melted and cooled butter.

The simple swapping of a few ingredients will elevate the flavor and texture of the cake to decadent levels!

Mix the cake ingredients until just incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix. Too much stirring will lead to a tough cake.

Pour the cake batter into a 9”x13” pan. If desired place a few maraschino cherries into the poured batter. Bake according to the directions on the package, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool for about 30 minutes. While the cake cools, prepare the Cherry Coke mixture.

For the Cherry Coke mixture

Bring ½ cup Cherry Coke and ½ cup water just to a boil. Quickly stir in the cherry gelatin mix. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Add the remaining chilled Cherry Coke and stir.

Using a single chopstick, poke holes in the cooled cake every ½” or so. You will create a grid pattern of holes in the top of the cake.

Pour the Cherry Coke and gelatin mixture over the surface of the cake.

Cover the cake with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight).

For the topping

Combine the vanilla pudding mix, milk, and vanilla. Fold into the thawed whipped topping until fully incorporated.

Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Spread the topping evenly across the surface.

Garnish each piece of the Valentine Poke Cake with a maraschino cherry or two.