Vanilla Cherry Poke Cupcakes

Sisters who share dessert are the best. Twenty years ago my sister Eunice used to work as a dining room server at a retirement center. Every once in a while she would bring home leftover desserts for the rest of us to enjoy. On one such day she brought home a large and intriguing piece of white cake with pinkish-red striping throughout its tender crumb. Although I thought it was so bizarre I still took a bite when prompted by my sister. That was my first (and certainly not the last) foray into the beautiful quirky world of poke cakes.

If you're not familiar with poke cakes, you should be. Poke cakes are freshly baked warm sheet cakes that have many holes poked into them (as its name implies) while still in the pan. Flavored gelatin is then poured over the cake, which creates these fun creative looking cakes that are moist and flavorful. The cake is then refrigerated, frosted, and served.

Typically these cakes are made with boxed cake mix, but today my recipe uses a scratch vanilla cupcake recipe and cherry-flavored gelatin. Are you looking for a dessert recipe to bring to your Memorial Day potluck? These vanilla cherry cupcakes are the perfect single serving dessert to share with friends and family. My sister Eunice has come a long ways since her dining service days. She is now a Major in the US Army proudly serving our country. I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, and remember to take a moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.