This Jello Poke Cake is an old school favorite that brings back sweet memories. It starts with a white cake mix and gets soaked in cherry and lime jello, then topped with cool whip for a light and fruity dessert.
The Jello Poke Cake was was a popular dessert in the 1970's and I remember well my Mom and Nanny making this cake often. A cousin to the pudding poke cake, the fun part is when you cut into it and see all the color from the jello. It’s a great cake for birthdays or any get together.
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Why You'll Love Jello Poke Cake
Budget friendly: Jello Poke Cake is easy on the wallet!
Feeds a crowd: making it perfect for birthday parties!
Easy to make: quick to put together with just a few simple steps.
Key Ingredients
White cake mix: the base for the recipe
Black cherry and lime jello: gives the cake color and flavor
Boiling water: to dissolve the gelatin
Whipped topping: a quick and easy frosting
Tips for the Best Poke Cake
- Chill the cake overnight for best results—the gelatin needs time to set before frosting.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the jello.
- Pour gelatin slowly over the holes so it fills them evenly
Substitutions and Variations
- Use strawberry gelatin and add fresh sliced strawberries between the layers for a fruity twist.
- Try orange and lemon gelatin for a citrus combo.
- Use different gelatin flavors for a rainbow poke cake effect, especially fun for kids’ birthdays.
- Add a thin layer of cherry pie filling between the cake layers for a more intense cherry flavor.
- Sprinkle lime zest over the whipped topping to brighten it up.
Serve with..
Cake always goes great with ice cream! Try this recipe for Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream!
Storage
Store leftover Jello Poke Cake in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
More Cakes You May Like
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Jello Poke Cake
Equipment
- 2 round 8 inch cake pans
- Wooden skewer or chopstick for poking holes
- 2 small mixing bowls (one for each jello)
- Tablespoon
- Frosting spatula
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Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 3 ounces black cherry gelatin
- 3 ounces lime gelatin
- 2 cups hot boiling water
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping
Instructions
- Make the white cake mix in a large bowl per box directions, following directions for baking in round cake pans. Let cakes cool completely.
- Poke holes in the cooled cake using the wide end of a chopstick. Push the chopstick through the cake all the way to the bottom of the cake. Repeat several times on the cake layer. Set cakes aside.
- Place the black cherry jello powder and lime gelatin powder in two separate mixing bowls. Pour 1 cup hot boiling water over each bowl of jello powder, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Using a tablespoon, pour jello over 1 round of cake and then the lime gelatin over the second round. Cover cake with plastic wrap and store overnight in the refrigerator to allow gelatin to set.
- At least 1 hour before serving, layer and frost cake with cool whip. Keep the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.
Julie says
How fun!!!
-Julie @ Texan New Yorker
Lauren Everson says
I've never had a poke cake before, but this looks like such a fun way to color coordinate for any party!
Bobbi Burleson says
I can't believe I have never had a poke cake!! Yours is so pretty I just want to grab it off my screen 🙂
Nora@SunnyDaysWithMyLoves says
I haven't had poke cake since I was a kid- I bet my daughter would love this!
Valerie Cathell Clark says
I helped my mom make this cake a few times! Brings back memories and it's still a light and refreshing dessert! Great post!
Mary Ellen says
I love a good poke cake and I shouldn't be surprised that Grumpy does too. LOL. Had a great time with you last weekend!
Cindy Kerschner says
Great colors, gives me hope for spring!
Laura Hunter says
I have never heard of jello poke cake. Bet my daughter would love to help make this.
Wendy Klik says
I like how you used two different flavors of gelatin on your cake. Very pretty.
Sue Lau says
Jello cake brings back many memories working as the Baker's assistant. This kind of cake was always popular, and we liked that because it was very easy too!
Diana @DandelionGreens says
How fun... and pretty! Loved desserts like this when I was young.
Heather King says
Poke cakes are so much fun because of the colors and flavors.
Camilla Mann says
I had never heard of a poke cake till I lived in Oklahoma for a year. I don't think I've ever seen one though. I LOVE the colors.
Laura Dembowski says
What a pretty, colorful cake! I'm all about things with bright colors.
Deanna Samaan says
My mom never made a poke cake! I did not know what one was until Paula Deen! Now I know I really missed out as a kid! This looks amazing!
Stacy says
I love your cake with the two layers and the different colors in each, Shelby! I've had this before but it was a sheet cake. Yours is so much prettier!
Liz Berg says
This is such a delicious blast from my past! My mom would bake this one in a 9 x 13 and I think she'd ice it with Cool Whip, too! I think my kids (and hubby) would love your cake 🙂
Renee says
Oh all the fun flavor and color possibilities of this cake. No wonder it has been so popular since it was created.