Shirley Temple Poke Cake

MAKES 1 (9 X 13-INCH) CAKE

The Shirley Temple nonalcoholic cocktail was allegedly served to the child star at the age of ten when she was celebrating her birthday at the Beverly Hills restaurant Chasen’s. It became one of the most popular nonalcoholic drinks of all time. There is some question as to whether this is the true origin of the famous drink, but the story really doesn’t matter once you take a bite of this Shirley Temple Poke Cake, developed to resemble the taste of the Shirley Temple drink.

Nonstick cooking spray

1 (15.25- to 18-ounce) box white cake mix

Eggs and oil as directed on the cake mix box

¾ cup lemon-lime-flavored soda, plus additional water to equal the amount of liquid specified on the box

½ cup plus 3 tablespoons grenadine syrup

1 (8-ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

Maraschino cherries, drained, for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare the cake according to the package directions, substituting the lemon-lime soda and water mixture for the water called for on the box. Bake according to the package directions for a 9 x 13-inch pan. Place the cake on a wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes.

Poke holes evenly over the baked cake using the tines of a fork.

Drizzle ½ cup of the grenadine into the holes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a medium bowl, combine the thawed whipped topping and remaining 3 tablespoons grenadine. Frost the cake with the whipped topping mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cut into servings and garnish each serving with a maraschino cherry, if desired.

TIPS

If desired, substitute stiffly beaten sweetened whipped cream for the whipped topping. In a medium bowl, beat 1½ cups heavy cream with a handheld mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium-high. Gradually beat in 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar; beat until the cream holds stiff peaks. Proceed as directed in the recipe.

Grenadine is a sweet red syrup that is often used to flavor cocktails. While it is not a liquor, you will often find it in the grocery store shelved with mixers and supplies for cocktails. A substitute for grenadine could be maraschino cherry juice.