HOLIDAY POKE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Prepare the cake mix in a bowl according to the package instructions. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the instructions. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Combine the heavy cream, sugar and coconut extract in a chilled metal bowl. Whip the cream with a whisk or electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Refrigerate.
• Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the cake, 6 across in each of 4 rows, to make 24 holes. Press a cherry into each hole.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of coconut, crushed pineapple and rum. Slowly pour and spread over the cake and let stand until the liquid is absorbed into the holes, about 10 minutes.
• Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake, sprinkle with toasted coconut and garnish with the leftover maraschino cherries.

Steps:

• For the cake: Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch pan.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the buttermilk and vanilla in a spouted measuring cup; set aside.
• Beat the sugar and butter in a stand mixer (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer) at medium speed until very light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Slowly add the eggs and beat until fully incorporated. Reduce the speed to the lowest setting; with the mixer running, alternate beating in the flour mixture in three additions and the buttermilk mixture in two, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Scrape down the side of the bowl, and beat until the batter is well mixed. Spread into the prepared pan.
• Bake the cake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Using a fork, poke holes in the top and all the way through the cake.
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil, pour over the gelatin in a small bowl and stir until completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour the mixture evenly over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Put a large bowl (for whipping the cream) in the refrigerator.
• For the sweetened berries: While the cake chills, hull and quarter the strawberries. Toss with the granulated sugar in a medium bowl, and set aside until soft and juicy, about 1 hour.
• For the topping: Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla in the chilled bowl until fluffy. Spread it over the cake, slice the cake and serve with the strawberries.