This festive poke cake tastes like every summer picnic we loved growing up. The secret to this Jello cake’s charm is its simplicity — just a white cake mix, your favorite Jello flavors, a layer of whipped topping, and plenty of sprinkles. It’s cool, colorful, and so easy that it practically decorates itself.
We’ve been making this Jello poke cake for years, and the best part? You can change it up for every holiday or celebration! Right now, it's berry blue and cherry for summer. One simple recipe, endless ways to make it festive.
The cake recipe is as simple as can be; it starts with a white cake mix, two packages of Jell-O or your favorite store-brand gelatin dessert, a container of whipped topping like Cool Whip, and sprinkles! Make the cake according to the directions on the box.
You can use any cake mix you like for a Jello poke cake, but for this one, a boxed white cake mix is ideal. The flavor is the perfect palette, allowing strawberry and blueberry to take center stage, and the crisp, snowy-white appearance really sets off the cheerful, bright gelatin colors.
Here are some other fun red, white, and blue things to make for summer!
I suggest using the "egg whites only" directions on the box so the cake is white as snow. Use the amounts of oil, egg whites, and water as directed on the box, and bake it in a 9-by-13-inch pan according to the cake mix directions.
I always like to bake a poke cake in a glass cake pan to show off the pretty effect! Of course, if you want to make your own white cake from scratch, that's fine, too! Go for it!
While baking the cake, make the Jello, but NOT according to the directions on the box. To make Jello for a Jello poke cake, use half the water amount recommended on the Jello package.
This will create a firmer Jello that sets up well in the cake without making it too wet. This water-to-Jello ratio will soak into the cake while still maintaining its structure.
Use a 3-ounce package of Jello, mixed with just 1 cup of boiling water, and stir until completely dissolved. Do not add any more water. Let it cool at room temperature while the cake bakes.
Sugar-free Jello works great, and that's what I used for this cake!
When the cake is done, let it cool on a rack for about 20 minutes, then poke it with the handle of a wooden spoon in rows. Pour the Jello evenly in alternating rows.
My hands aren't very steady, so I found it easy to use plastic squeeze condiment dispensers, like the ones for ketchup and mustard. Pour the cooled jello into the bottle and replace the lid! It worked perfectly!
I get a pack of two at Dollar Tree and use them for lots of things, like honey and olive oil! I love Dollar Tree, and I never fail to find useful, fun, and inexpensive items for my kitchen there!
Do this as carefully and slowly as possible to keep the colors separate. Remember that red and blue mixed together make purple, not a color in our beautiful flag, and that's not the look you want! Don't be Betty-in-a-hurry; instead, be a "Careful Cathy." 😉
After you've poured the Jello over the cake, refrigerate it for a few hours, allowing the Jello to set and infuse into the cake.
When the cake has chilled, it's time to top it with an 8-ounce container of whipped topping. This works better than whipped cream because it will remain stable while the cake is refrigerated.
Please remember to defrost the unopened whipped topping in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours without stirring to maintain the desired volume. The cake can wait in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, until the whipped topping defrosts; it is very chill and patient.😉
I love what sprinkles can do for a dessert of any kind! Choose the sprinkles that make you smile to top this pretty poke cake! The adorable little flags are probably from Dollar Tree, too!
A Jello poke cake is a great dessert for any occasion, and you can mix and match colors for any season or event! They are so pretty, so easy, so light, and so refreshing!
We feast on July 4th, so we need a light dessert! This would be great for Memorial Day, Flag Day, or Labor Day picnics, too. We love celebrating the red, white, and blue! Here are some of our favorite picnic recipes:
Amish Macaroni Salad - The best macaroni salad is easy to make. It consists of lots of crunchy vegetables in a creamy dressing with just the right amount of sweetness.
Holy Guacamole - A very simple and basic recipe for a great bowl of guacamole. It's easy to make and ready in about five minutes.
Mexican Pasta Salad - Here is a simple, wonderful pasta salad that captures all the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn.
Million Dollar Dip - This dip recipe comes from Neiman Marcus, but it uses only six simple ingredients and makes an amazing dip that's quick and easy to make!
A light, cool, and refreshing cake poked with two flavors of jello and frosted with whipped topping and sprinkles for a pretty Fourth of July holiday dessert!
**The white cake will look the whitest if you use the "egg whites only" recipe on the cake mix box.
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Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.
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