Step 1 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Step 2 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
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Step 3 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Place the butter, canola oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream the ingredients together on medium speed until smooth, scraping sides of bowl with rubber spatula as necessary, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
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Step 4 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl. Beat the mixture on low until the ingredients begin to come together. Slowly stream in the buttermilk and food coloring and continue mixing, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed, until a smooth, vibrant batter forms. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
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Step 5 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Bake the cake on middle rack of oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 37-40 minutes.
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Step 6 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Check to see that cake is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
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Step 7 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Allow the cake to cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
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Step 8 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
While the cake cools, make the whipped cream cheese frosting. Place the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl. Use a mixer to beat on medium-high speed until completely smooth, 2-3 minutes.
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Step 9 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Add half of the heavy cream to the bowl. Beat on low speed to incorporate, then stream in the remaining cream. Beat on medium-high speed just until the frosting holds stiff peaks, 2-3 minutes. Do not overbeat.
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Step 10 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Cover the bowl of whipped cream cheese frosting with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator.
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Step 11 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke 32 evenly spaced holes into the cake, stopping 1/2 inch from the bottom. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep down into the holes. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to cool for at least 1 one hour.
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Step 12 of 12
Red Velvet Poke Cake
When the cake is completely cool, remove from the refrigerator. Spread the whipped cream cheese frosting evenly onto the cake. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.