Only oil based gel stain can do that. And its kinda blotchy and ugly, unless it goes so dark that you don’t see the blotches. Might as well paint. Gel stain is only a few steps away from paint.

Pinterest FAIL.

When it looks OK, it’s still not that great.

i used gel stain on these … does not need to be dark or blotchy

One 'strips' wood to remove the polyurethane that protects the wood. The stain has to be sanded out. Once the poly is removed a darker stain may soak in..light sanding will raise the pores, wipe down with wood conditioner would open pores for a better chance.