This Jello Poke Cake recipe is an easy way to make an elegant retro recipe dessert using white cake mix drizzled with black cherry and lime gelatin over each round of cake.
The gelatin seeps down into the poke holes in the cake making the pretty design. The jello poke cake is then frosted with a whipped cream or frozen non-dairy whipped cream for a super easy and pretty dessert will surley impresse!
Want to learn how to make the perfect poke holes for your cake? Be sure to read on to find out my secret!
Jello Poke Cake was a really popular recipe when I was a young girl in the 70's. It seems gelatin itself was a huge ingredient back in the day! My mom made this cake, my Nanny made it and Grumpy tells me his mom made it also. I have a feeling that back in the "day" there weren't too many homes that didn't have this cake grace their table at one point in time. It also happens to be one of Grumpy's favorite recipes!
To get the desired effect, I suggest that you use the wider end of a chopstick to make your poke holes, and make a lot of them. I would also not "pour" the jello over the cake, I would use a tablespoon and gently spoon it over top, being sure to spoon right over those poke holes so the jello will seep down through them. Just look at those beautiful lines in that cake!
I have never been a big cake mix from a box fan, however, when it comes to making this recipe, I truly recommend it. There is something about the texture of the boxed mix that differs in the way the jello soaks through the cake compared to a homemade cake. Yes my friends, there is a time and place for everything, and the time and place for a cake mix, in my book, is definitely for this recipe.
Jello Poke Cake
A retro cake from the 70's made with a white boxed cake mix and a variety of flavored gelatin.
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 per box instructions, following directions for
baking in round cake pans. Let cakes cool completely. Poke holes in cake
using the wide end of a chop stick. Push the chop stick through the
cake all the way to the bottom of the cake. Repeat several times on cake
layer. Set cakes aside. - Place 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 slightly (about
10 minutes). - With a tablespoon, spoon the black cherry gelatin 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 an hour before serving, layer and frost cake with cool whip.
Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Store any leftovers in
refrigerator. The cake will store for several days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 329mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 33IUCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Julie
How fun!!!
-Julie @ Texan New Yorker
Lauren Everson
I've never had a poke cake before, but this looks like such a fun way to color coordinate for any party!
Bobbi Burleson
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
I haven't had poke cake since I was a kid- I bet my daughter would love this!
Valerie Cathell Clark
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
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
Great colors, gives me hope for spring!
Laura Hunter
I have never heard of jello poke cake. Bet my daughter would love to help make this.
Wendy Klik
I like how you used two different flavors of gelatin on your cake. Very pretty.
Sue Lau
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
How fun... and pretty! Loved desserts like this when I was young.
Heather King
Poke cakes are so much fun because of the colors and flavors.
Camilla Mann
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
What a pretty, colorful cake! I'm all about things with bright colors.
Deanna Samaan
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
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
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
Oh all the fun flavor and color possibilities of this cake. No wonder it has been so popular since it was created.