Star of the Show BLUEBERRY POKE CAKE - 52 Cakes and Pies at Home

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This is a new twist on a classic old recipe from my past.  The classic "Poke" cake made famous in any number of Ladies Home Journals type magazines from the 50's and 60's.

I can still recall seeing this very cake in my own Church Potluck dessert table almost 45 years ago.  The Ooohs and Aaahs from the Church basement Ladies still ring in my mind.

And I can still recall the very same Ooohs and Aaahs I received when I served this last night!

But the dirty little secret is that this is about as easy as it gets.  Store bought cake mix is transformed into something special with just a few pokes of a chopstick.

Take a look at the photos and instructions below.  It really is easy.  It really is spectacular and you too can get the Ooohs and Aaahs of your guests!  And of course this spectacular looking cake with the extra flavored moisture packed inside will fit into any big family gathering, Pass a plate social or Church PotLuck!

Enjoy!

OK... Here's what I did...

"Star of the Show"

BLUEBERRY
POKE CAKE

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE
• - I used a White Box Cake Mix, prepared according to the directions on the box (Square Pan (But Round would work as well)
• Depending on which brand you use, may need additional
• Large Eggs
• Vegetable (or Olive) Oil
• FOR THE SYRUP
• - 1 Cup Fresh Blueberries
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 2 Cups Water
• FOR THE FROSTING
• - 4 Ounces (1 Brick) Cream Cheese, Softened to room temperature
• 4 Ounces (1/2 Stick) Butter, Softened to room temperature
• 2 Cups Powdered SUgar
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• FOR THE DECORATION
• - A Poking Stick (I used a Chopstick)
• 1 Cup Blueberries
• 3/4 Cup Raspberries

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions (usually needs Oil and Eggs). This cake needs to be made as a single layer. So make in a Large Round or Square Pan. Allow the cake to cool completely.
2. While the cake is baking, make the syrup... In a medium heavy bottomed sauce pan, over medium high heat Combine water and blueberries. Bring to boil, add sugar and stir until sugar has dissolved.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove skins from the blueberries. Add additional sugar to taste, simmer for another 5 minutes to reduce. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
4. While the syrup is cooling, make the cream cheese frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together. While the mixer is running at low speed, add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Add the vanilla and mix until smooth.
5. And now time to decorate... Poke holes every half inch throughout the top of the cake. Wiggle the poking stick (I used a chopstick) around a bit for room.
6. Pour the syrup into each hole, continue to pour until all of the syrup is used.
7. Refrigerate the cake for an hour.
8. Turn cake upside down onto a serving plate (I used a cutting board). Carefully trim off 1/4 inch of the entire cake side, exposing the Poked Look.
9. Frost the top, level off so there is a flat surface to decorate.
10. For the star look, cut a piece of paper into a star. Lay this paper centered on the frosting.
11. Now arrange the blueberries decoratively on the top, leaving the star paper blank.
12. When done, remove the paper and replace with Raspberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
13. Serve chilled and ENJOY!

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This simple recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Cakes and Pies at Home"!

These are the desserts you make for your family.  No fancy amazing wedding cakes, just the rustic beauty of the classics.  From pumpkin pie to cheesecakes to layer cakes, these are what your family craves for dessert.  You may even see a few unusual crusts and frosting ideas to try.

You get the idea. These recipes are simple, delicious and will have your family wanting dessert first...

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This recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Church PotLuck Dishes"!

A list of something NEW worthy of being shown off at a neighborhood BYODish (Bring Your Own Dish) Party, a Family special occasion dinner, Any Big Holiday Gathering or of course that glorious day when you bring a dish to share with your Church family...

Ages ago, literally almost a half century ago I was listening to our pastor talking about a PotLuck Dinner. It happened to be scheduled around a church work day when we were expected to weed, polish and do general cleaning and maintenance around the church (you know, back in the day when there were no no-wax floors and church pews smelled of Old English furniture polish). I am of course paraphrasing, but as I recall the pastor said,

"A potluck, like a church requires work. At a potluck everyone is expected to contribute.. At a church no one should come empty handed and no one should leave unfed".

I will confess that in my youth I brought more store bought plastic spoons and forks than I ever brought covered dishes and crock pots of fresh made love and caring delights. But now that I have become a hobbyist cook, I occasionally am reminded of those days and people from my youth. I reminded and I do wish that I could drop a dish of some new creation on those old tables at my fondly remembered Liberty Baptist Church.  Tables covered with newspapers and loaded with God's bounty prepared with love and caring... Enjoy

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