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!
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❤️ 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.
🔪 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.
🙋 Recipe FAQ's
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.
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.
📖 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.
Related Recipes
Easy Tres Leches Cake | Three Milk Cake
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📖 Recipe
Jello Poke Cake
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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
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.