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    Home » Dessert Recipes

    Jello Poke Cake

    Published: Jan 11, 2022 Last updated: May 9, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A retro cake from the 70's made with a white boxed cake mix and a variety of flavored gelatin and frosted with cool whip.
    A white layer cake that has been cut into showing red and green jello stripes throughout the cake topped with whipped topping.

    This Jello Poke Cake Recipe is a deliciously moist retro recipe that's sure to be a hit at your next special occasion! This easy recipe transforms a white cake mix into the perfect treat. The cake layers are drizzled with black cherry and lime gelatin, and frosted with a layer of whipped topping, making this delectable dessert a favorite for all ages!

    Not only is this Jello Poke Cake Recipe an easy-to-make favorite, but a beautiful surprise emerges when the cake is cut into. When the jello floods the poke holes a pretty design is created within the cake layers making this easy cake recipe one that will surely impress!

    pinnable image for Jello Poke Cake
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🙋 Recipe FAQ's
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

    ✔️ Jello Poke Cake is a budget-friendly dessert!

    ✔️ The entire cake feed 24, making it perfect for birthday parties!

    ✔️ Jello Poke Cakes are super simple to whip together!

    🥘 Ingredients

    Box cake mix: Preferably white cake mix for better color contrast with the jello. This is the mix I used.

    Black cherry gelatin: provides the Jello Poke Cake with fruity, dark cherry flavor.

    Lime gelatin: provides the Jello Poke Cake with citrus, lime flavor that compliments the cherry flavor.

    Whipped topping: acts as the frosting.

    Jello Poke Cake on serving plate with ¼ of the cake cut out.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Make the white cake mix in a large bowl per box directions, following directions for baking in round cake pans. Let cakes cool completely.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.

    🙋 Recipe FAQ's

    What can I use to poke holes in my cake?

    For poke cakes made with gelatin, the best thing to use to poke holes in the top of the cake would be the thinner end of a chopstick, a wooden skewer, or the tines of a dinner fork.

    Do I need to refrigerate the jello poke cake?

    Yes, because of the gelatin in the cake, to keep the cake from getting soggy, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 3 days.

    💭 Tips

    • Prepare this Jello Poke Cake Recipe ahead of time to ensure the jello had had enough time to set properly.
    • Pour jello using a large tablespoon over the holes to ensure each one is covered with the Jello mixture.
    Baked cakes soaked in red and green jello in the baking pan.

    📖 Variations

    There are so many different poke cake variations you can make with this simple recipe!

    • Enhance the flavor of your Jello Poke Cake by adding a layer of cherry pie filling between the cake and lime zest to the cool whip.
    • Or change it up the flavors by using a combination of different flavors of jello in place of the cherry and lime
    • Substitute strawberry gelatin and add a layer of fresh strawberries between the cake layers.
    • Substitute your favorite flavor instant pudding for the jello and poke larger holes in the top of your cake with the end of a wooden spoon

    🍽 Equipment

    Round cake pans: two, 8" or 9" pans like these cake pans.

    Chopsticks: used to poke holes in the cake.

    Small mixing Bowls: two are needed, one for each flavor of jello.

    Wire whisk: to stirring the jello.

    Tablespoon: for spooning the jello over the cake.

    Plastic wrap: to cover the Jello Poke Cake while the Jello sets.

    Frosting knife: for frosting the cake with whipped cream.

    Serving Suggestions

    Cake always goes great with ice cream! Try this recipe for Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream!

    Storage

    Store leftover Jello Poke Cake up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    One slice of layer cake on a white plate.

    Related Recipes

    Banana Pudding Poke Cake

    Pistachio Poke Cake

    Easy Tres Leches Cake | Three Milk Cake

    Cannoli Poke Cake

    German Chocolate Bundt Cake


    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    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

    A white layer cake that has been cut into showing red and green jello stripes throughout the cake topped with whipped topping.

    Jello Poke Cake

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A retro cake from the 70's made with a white boxed cake mix and a variety of flavored gelatin and frosted with cool whip.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 12 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 42 mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 216 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 329mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 33IUCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Jello Poke Cake, Jello Poke Cake Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie

      March 14, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      How fun!!!

      -Julie @ Texan New Yorker

      Reply
    2. Lauren Everson

      March 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm

      I've never had a poke cake before, but this looks like such a fun way to color coordinate for any party!

      Reply
    3. Bobbi Burleson

      March 11, 2015 at 3:55 pm

      I can't believe I have never had a poke cake!! Yours is so pretty I just want to grab it off my screen 🙂

      Reply
    4. Nora@SunnyDaysWithMyLoves

      March 10, 2015 at 2:14 pm

      I haven't had poke cake since I was a kid- I bet my daughter would love this!

      Reply
    5. Valerie Cathell Clark

      March 10, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      I helped my mom make this cake a few times! Brings back memories and it's still a light and refreshing dessert! Great post!

      Reply
    6. Mary Ellen

      March 09, 2015 at 10:07 pm

      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!

      Reply
    7. Cindy Kerschner

      March 09, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      Great colors, gives me hope for spring!

      Reply
    8. Laura Hunter

      March 09, 2015 at 7:53 am

      I have never heard of jello poke cake. Bet my daughter would love to help make this.

      Reply
    9. Wendy Klik

      March 09, 2015 at 12:39 am

      I like how you used two different flavors of gelatin on your cake. Very pretty.

      Reply
    10. Sue Lau

      March 08, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      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!

      Reply
    11. Diana @DandelionGreens

      March 08, 2015 at 7:43 pm

      How fun... and pretty! Loved desserts like this when I was young.

      Reply
    12. Heather King

      March 08, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      Poke cakes are so much fun because of the colors and flavors.

      Reply
    13. Camilla Mann

      March 08, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      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.

      Reply
    14. Laura Dembowski

      March 08, 2015 at 5:28 pm

      What a pretty, colorful cake! I'm all about things with bright colors.

      Reply
    15. Deanna Samaan

      March 08, 2015 at 5:02 pm

      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!

      Reply
    16. Stacy

      March 08, 2015 at 3:44 pm

      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!

      Reply
    17. Liz Berg

      March 08, 2015 at 2:09 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
    18. Renee

      March 08, 2015 at 11:27 am

      Oh all the fun flavor and color possibilities of this cake. No wonder it has been so popular since it was created.

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

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